News

Log Cabin Republicans Expand National Advertising Campaign to Washington State

Washington State is pivotal in effort to defend the Constitution and help build a more inclusive Republican Party

May 26, 2004

(Bellevue, WA) – Today, Log Cabin Republicans take their fight to defend the United States Constitution into Washington State. Log Cabin will begin airing its 30-second television commercial in the Seattle area on Thursday May 27th. "An anti-family Constitutional amendment violates the Republican Party's conservative principles," said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Patrick Guerriero. "This amendment would weaken the country's foundation by using our nation's most sacred document to make gay and lesbian Americans second-class citizens."

Broadcasting this commercial in Washington State is part of an expansion of Log Cabin's $1,000,000 effort to defend the Constitution. This campaign includes not only the television ad, but also print ads, the most intense lobbying effort in its history, and the grassroots mobilization of Log Cabin members across America.

The television commercial will air on the east side of King County during the Washington State Republican Party convention in Bellevue on the weekend of May 29th. "As GOP leaders from across Washington State come together, this ad sends an important message – you can be a good and loyal Republican by opposing efforts to write discrimination into the Constitution," said Brian Ballard, a national Log Cabin board member from Seattle.

"In 2004, the Washington State Republican Party has worked hard to build a slate of serious-minded, electable candidates who represent the views of most Washington residents," said Dave Kaplan, President of Log Cabin's Washington State chapter. "Extremism does not win in Washington State. Principled conservatives and fair-minded Republicans, like Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn and Congressman George Nethercutt, have shown they can be successful in Washington State," said Kaplan. "The Washington State GOP should continue to resist exclusion and discrimination."

"To be the majority party in this state and this country, the GOP must continue to embrace its core principles: limited government, low taxes, a strong defense, personal responsibility and individual freedom. Extremism will lead to defeat," continued Ballard.

"While American military service members in Iraq, including gay and lesbian military personnel, fight to bring freedom to the people of the Middle East, some on the far-right are spearheading an attempt to marginalize and discriminate against some of these same brave soldiers by seeking to amend our sacred Constitution," continued Guerriero. "With our country at war, we should be united. However some politicians have chosen to divide the American family and divide the American people by pushing this discriminatory amendment," said Guerriero.

Log Cabin's television commercial uses excerpts from then Vice-Presidential candidate Dick Cheney during his 2000 debate with Senator Joe Lieberman. Referring to the legal recognition of same-sex relationships, Mr. Cheney said, "That matter is regulated by the states. I think different states are likely to come to different conclusions, and that's appropriate. I don't think there should necessarily be a federal policy in this area."

"Vice-President Dick Cheney makes a powerful case against amending our sacred Constitution. His position in 2000 is as true today as it was when he said it," continued Guerriero.

Log Cabin kicked off its campaign to defend the Constitution on March 10th. The Cheney commercial has been airing in Washington, D.C. and ten other states around the nation including, Missouri, Florida, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, New Mexico, Colorado, California, and Arizona.

"Log Cabin has received unprecedented support from our gay and straight allies around the nation. We also are encouraged by the growing number of courageous GOP members of Congress and Republican leaders around the nation who are speaking out against this amendment. These inclusive voices represent the future of our Party. We applaud those federal and state lawmakers from Washington who have stood up in defense of freedom and fairness, to silence the voices of intolerance and exclusion," concluded Guerriero.

The commercial can be viewed at www.logcabin.org.