The Blog of the Log Cabin Republicans

Archive for September, 2009

Iowa Poll Shows Even Divide on Marriage Equality

A poll release by the Des Moines Register shows a unique insight into support for marriage equality in the Buckeye State. In that 92 percent of Iowans argue that the state’s recognition of same sex marriage has not had an adverse impact on their lives, though support for marriage equality remains split, with 41 percent whom say they would support a constitutional amendment to overturn marriage equality and 40 percent who would oppose a ban.

The Register also highlights consern the focus on wedge issues might hurt the GOP at the ballot box:

“It’s really none of my business what other people do in their lives,” said Curt Goodell, 38, a Johnston resident.

He identifies himself as a Republican but said he worries his party will try to make marriage a key issue in coming elections. “I don’t have any judgment toward people who want to get married: gays, straight or whatever,” Goodell said.

Few poll respondents who described themselves as Republicans say the court decision is the single most important issue in the 2010 elections. But more than a third of Republicans say it is among several important issues, while only about a quarter of Democrats put it in that category.

Former state Republican Chairman Mike Mahaffey said the poll shows that, as the party searches for a winning message, the economy trumps marriage among voters.

Read more about marriage equality in Iowa in the Des Moines Register.

Stop Loss Powers Opens the Door for Executive Suspension of DADT

In response to President Obama’s extension of the Nation’s National Emergency status on September 10th, the Palm Center, a research institute focused on providing objective information on controversial social issues, states that due to a “stop-loss” statute which authorizes the President to suspend any law regarding military separations during national security emergencies, the continuation of the National Emergency status allows the President an additional year to sign an executive order suspending “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

At present, the repeal process has been stalled in the Congress, therefore, Dr. Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center, suggests, “Because the legislative process is frozen, a two-part strategy is the only realistic way to go.  Start with an executive order, and then follow with legislative repeal.”

Read more about work by Nathaniel Frank and his colleagues at the Palm Center.