Soccer Mom: Unplugged

I guess they really do need the money after all.  Howard Dean kneels before the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in another blatant  public display of pandering.  Basically, Howie has revised his statements on the 700 Club by using the all too familiar "oops I did it again" defense.

WASHINGTON - Democratic chairman Howard Dean mischaracterized his party's platform on gay rights in an interview courting evangelicals, then set the record straight Thursday when an advocacy group called him on it.

Dean told Christian Broadcasting Network News that the 2004 Democratic platform declares "marriage is between a man and a woman" just one of the points he made in reaching out to religious conservatives who are largely hostile to the party.

But the platform does not define marriage that way, and his remarks prompted the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to return a $5,000 donation from the Democratic National Committee.

Dean later acknowledged his misstatement, but the group sent back the money anyway. "We need for Governor Dean to demonstrate real leadership on our issues," executive director Matt Foreman said in an interview, "not to equivocate depending on the audience."

Got that, Howie, even your own supporters are telling you to stop lying.

But, you know Howard Dean,  he's like E.F. Hutton.  He speaks and people listen.  Then they laugh their butts off.  Check out this quote.

Dean said that "one of the misconceptions about the Democratic Party is that we're godless and that we don't have any values."

Howard makes a nice point here.  The Dems have been mischaracterized as a party without values.  They have a value.  In this case it seems to be $5000.

He went on: "The truth is, we have an enormous amount in common with the Christian community, and particularly with the evangelical Christian community. And one of the biggest things that Democrats worry about is the materialism of our country, what's on television that our kids are seeing, and the lack of spirituality."

And then he really steps in it.  He actually says, "We have an enormous amount in common with the Christian community..."  In other words, he acknowledges that they are not a part of said community.  They aren't particularly religious, says Dean, but they do have some commonalities with people of faith.  Paging Dr. Freud....

Today the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has returned a check from Howard Dean for $5000. Apparently, Dean's comments on the 700 Club where he reiterated the DNC position on same-sex marriage turned a few of the homosexual activists off.

His comments as reported on the Task Force website were: "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's what it says. I think where we may take exception with some religious leaders is that we believe in inclusion, that everybody deserves to live with dignity and respect, and that equal rights under the law are important."

This whole event initially appears to be a very minor blip on the political radar because the truth is that no matter how much of a show the gay community makes, they will still be voting Democrat virtually en masse.  However, as a political snapshot it raises some interesting questions.

Why, for example, was Howard Dean appealing to religious right voters?  What makes him think that an appeal to that group is even worthwhile?  Clearly, the last two presidential elections have made it apparent that the culture war is a huge part of American politics.  There is a vast segment of our population that places a high priority moral values and the Dems are taking more and more notice of us.  With conservative critiques of the Bush administration making headlines almost daily, the frustration of Bush's base is evident, and perhaps that has given Dean the idea that he can swing some votes. 

Unfortunately, Dean's interview reveals the "Christian for the Camera" ploy that has sunk his party repeatedly with the religious right.  Notice this blatantly divisive statement:  " I think where we may take exception with some religious leaders is that we believe in inclusion, that everybody deserves to live with dignity and respect, and that equal rights under the law are important."   Most Christian churches teach "hate the sin, love the sinner"?  In fact, we reach out to welcome homosexuals into the biggest club of all .  We are all-inclusive.  Join us among the sinners. 

Of course, people deserve to live with dignity and respect, most people on the religious right believe that firmly, which is why Pastor Phelps shares DNA with his entire congregation.  No reasonable person, no matter how literally he interprets the Bible can offer hate as a Final Solution.  All we are demanding is that our government not force us to sanction or subsidize behavior that violates our religious beliefs.  And we demand that our children not be indoctrinated into a culture that embraces or promotes acts we deem deviant.  No one wants to torch the houses of homosexuals or see them all fired from their jobs.  Dean's words show a distinct lack of understanding of people of faith and a disregard for our core values and rights.  His appearance on the 700 Club was pure pandering. 

The whole episode smacks of Clinton's taking communion as a non-Catholic.  Even as a non-Catholic, I saw that act as a mockery of the sacred beliefs of the people who adhere to the teachings of that church.  What if he'd attended a Protestant church holding baptismal services, would he have gotten in the water?  

These public professions of faith are calculated and completely disrespectful.  Appropriate behavior when attending a church that espouses beliefs that you don't share or hold sacred is simply a respectful and reverent observance (as in to observe - not to falsely participate).  You don't participate in covenants or sacraments lightly.  People throughout history and around the world today have been willing to die for these beliefs.  How utterly condescending to participate when you aren't an adherent. 

The whole buying votes with the blood of Christ is getting really old.  And as far as I'm concerned, both parties are on notice:  the party that pays more than lip service and that stands up for my right not to support, subsidize or sanction ideologies contrary to my conscience can count on my support.

"You may want to look fast, but the Democratic National Committee’s website still has a “Republican Culture of Corruption” page, implying that by installing the Democrats back in the congressional majority, we’ll have a virtual monastery of ethical restraint in Washington – with leaders like Patrick Kennedy setting the example."

Brent Bozell blasts Democrats who are desperately trying to foster an image of Mother Theresa like moral superiority.  Only one problem.  You can't claim the high ground when you're too drunk to make it past the barricade at the bottom of the hill.  The Dems are quick to point out, with the help of the liberal media, every infraction, real or perceived of GOP corruption.  In fact,  the "culture of corruption" is at the top of Howard Dean's list of talking points.  Unfortunately for Howie, his partymates are undermining his credibility.  When you have campaign aids serving time for slashing tires and lawmakers under investigation for illegally seeking an opponent's credit report, well, let's just say there is a believability factor here that isn't working in the Dems favor.

Check out Bozell's writeup for a full lineup of Capitol Hill chicanery where the Dems are taking center stage.