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Log Cabin Republicans Launch New TV Ad Campaign during Republican National Convention

Ad Highlights GOP's Choice: A Hopeful Message that Unites America or a Message of Fear and Intolerance that Divides America

August 30, 2004

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans are launching a new television advertising campaign during the GOP convention. "Our commercial has a simple message – the GOP can be an inclusive majority party uniting all Americans or it can be an intolerant party hijacked by the radical right's divisive social agenda," said Log Cabin Executive Director Patrick Guerriero.

The 30-second commercial will be broadcast during the Republican National Convention in New York City and on cable nationwide. The ad begins with footage from President Ronald Reagan's 1992 speech at the Republican National Convention in Houston. President Reagan said, "Whatever else history may say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears." The commercial offers a clear choice for the GOP: follow President Reagan's lead by uniting Republicans on common beliefs or follow Jerry Falwell, Pat Buchanan and Rick Santorum's lead by dividing the GOP with an intolerant social agenda based on fear and exclusion. Reagan's courageous opposition to a California ballot initiative that would have banned gays and lesbians from teaching in the public schools helped launch Log Cabin Republicans 27 years ago.

"Why would the GOP focus on issues that divide not just rank and file Republicans, but also the two leaders of our party – the President and Vice-President?" asked Guerriero. Last week, Dick Cheney re-iterated his opposition to an anti-family Constitutional amendment, putting him at odds with President Bush on this issue.

In an effort to find common ground across the GOP's ideological spectrum, Log Cabin joined a coalition of Republican groups in proposing a Party Unity Plank. The platform committee rejected this plank, and in fact adopted radical language seeking to prohibit any benefits for same-sex couples. "The Party Platform is an insult to the over 1 million gay and lesbian Americans who voted for President Bush. The Platform's language is shameful and outrageous," said Guerriero.

Log Cabin's decision to take this issue straight to rank and file Republicans shows the organization's confidence in the future of the party. "Our effort to take back this party from the radical right is about more than one election, one president or one issue. History, common decency and fairness are on our side," continued Guerriero.

The far right's push for control over the party is a stark contrast to the public face of the convention. The RNC's announced lineup of primetime speakers for the convention includes former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Senator John McCain, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and New York Governor George Pataki. Additionally, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will open the convention. All of these speakers have long histories of supporting policies that respect the GOP's diversity.

"Log Cabin Republicans are proud to step forward with this hopeful message about the party's future. In recent months, the party's agenda has been set by the radical right. They divided party leaders by starting a culture war and pushing the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment. Enough is enough. It is time for someone to challenge the radical right. Log Cabin proudly accepts that challenge. Our party's future success is at stake," concluded Guerriero.