News

To Achieve Victory in 2012, GOP Candidates Must Unite, Not Divide

June 14, 2011

(Washington, DC) - On issues ranging from national security, foreign policy, jobs, economic growth and civil liberty, Log Cabin Republicans are concerned that these early GOP primary candidates did not represent the priorities of the Republican electorate in CNN's televised debate.

"The candidates in this CNN debate did not make a strong case to the American people, particularly not to the moderates or younger voters we will need in 2012 to defeat Barack Obama," said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. "Some of the views expressed by the candidates were out of sync with today's GOP. A clear majority of Republicans today support the end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' The stark contrast between candidates looking to turn back the clock on repeal on the same day that Republican-appointed Defense Secretary Gates declared that the military would soon be ready for open service makes our party appear fearful of change. Calls for a federal marriage amendment while in New Hampshire, a state which currently enjoys marriage equality, showed several candidates to be out of touch. True conservatives know that the federal government should respect individual liberty."

"Front-runner Mitt Romney, in particular, knows better. Seventeen years ago he opposed 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and vowed to support the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. Log Cabin Republicans remember that promise, and are committed to reminding all conservatives that inclusion wins. The pointed exclusion of pro-equality candidates, such as former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson and openly gay Republican candidate Fred Karger, from this debate wrongly perpetuated the myth that Republicans are uniform in their opinions on social issues. Our party deserves candidates who will represent the values which unite us - individual liberty, fiscal responsibility, and limited government."