specsaregood
06-16-2012, 08:29 AM
http://www.indystar.com/article/D2/20120616/NEWS09/306160029/Strategists-take-jabs-Iowa-party-platforms?odyssey=mod_sectionstories
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
Scott Brennan, one of Iowa’s Democratic National Committee members and an attorney in Des Moines, had this to say about the Republicans’ proposed platform:
1. RON PAUL’S ‘FINGERPRINTS.’
In Brennan’s review, the Republicans’ proposed platform is heavy on the viewpoints of libertarian-leaning presidential candidate Ron Paul, a Texas congressman.
That’s curious because Paul finished third in the Iowa caucuses and holds views that aren’t entirely in the GOP mainstream, he said.
The policy prescriptions of the presumptive presidential nominee aren’t evident, he said.
“While Ron Paul’s fingerprints are all over the platform, Mitt Romney’s voice is nowhere to be heard,” Brennan said. “The Republican Party of Iowa is in such disarray, they won’t even take suggestions from the presumptive Republican nominee for president.”
2. ‘WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY’ ON MARRIAGE.
Nationwide polling shows growing support for legalized same-sex marriage, particularly among Americans under age 45, Brennan said.
But the Republican platform devotes an entire section — Section 22 — to calling for state and federal constitutional amendments to bar same-sex marriage. They also call for the rejection of judges who rule in favor of it.
“People across the country are standing up for equality, but the RPI continues to promote discrimination,” Brennan said, adding, “RPI is alienating an entire generation of Iowans and is on the wrong side of history.”
3. HEALTH CARE ACCESS THREATENED.
The Republican planks calling for the repeal of the federal Affordable Care Act — derisively called Obamacare — threaten access to insurance and health care for thousands of Iowans, Brennan said, referring to Section 18.
“If the ACA is repealed, it will hurt the 42,000 Iowans who have saved money on prescription drugs, it will take away insurance from the 18,000 Iowans under the age of 26 who can now stay on their parent’s insurance and it will take away from 2 million Iowans the security of knowing they never have to worry about lifetime caps or losing insurance when they get sick,” he said.
4. ‘LUDICROUS AND BIZARRE’ BIRTHER ATTACK.
One plank insists that all candidates for office prove their qualifications, including citizenship. Section 7 is a nod to the thoroughly debunked conspiracy theories concerning Obama’s citizenship, Brennan said.
Its inclusion is disrespectful both to “the office of the president and the American people,” he said.
“The birther movement is one of the most ludicrous and bizarre political attacks we’ve ever seen,” Brennan said. “The fact the Iowa Republican Party joins Donald Trump in promoting this preposterous position is truly incredible.”
5. OPPOSITION TO BULLYING LAW ‘IS UNCONSCIONABLE.’
The Republicans oppose the state’s “School Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Act of 2007.” Section 6.32 calls anti-bullying efforts the responsibility of individual schools, rather than the state.
That opposition is meant to deny support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, but undermines efforts to ensure all children are safe and secure at schools, Brennan said.
“To remove laws that are working to protect children is unconscionable,” he said.
more at link above
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
Scott Brennan, one of Iowa’s Democratic National Committee members and an attorney in Des Moines, had this to say about the Republicans’ proposed platform:
1. RON PAUL’S ‘FINGERPRINTS.’
In Brennan’s review, the Republicans’ proposed platform is heavy on the viewpoints of libertarian-leaning presidential candidate Ron Paul, a Texas congressman.
That’s curious because Paul finished third in the Iowa caucuses and holds views that aren’t entirely in the GOP mainstream, he said.
The policy prescriptions of the presumptive presidential nominee aren’t evident, he said.
“While Ron Paul’s fingerprints are all over the platform, Mitt Romney’s voice is nowhere to be heard,” Brennan said. “The Republican Party of Iowa is in such disarray, they won’t even take suggestions from the presumptive Republican nominee for president.”
2. ‘WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY’ ON MARRIAGE.
Nationwide polling shows growing support for legalized same-sex marriage, particularly among Americans under age 45, Brennan said.
But the Republican platform devotes an entire section — Section 22 — to calling for state and federal constitutional amendments to bar same-sex marriage. They also call for the rejection of judges who rule in favor of it.
“People across the country are standing up for equality, but the RPI continues to promote discrimination,” Brennan said, adding, “RPI is alienating an entire generation of Iowans and is on the wrong side of history.”
3. HEALTH CARE ACCESS THREATENED.
The Republican planks calling for the repeal of the federal Affordable Care Act — derisively called Obamacare — threaten access to insurance and health care for thousands of Iowans, Brennan said, referring to Section 18.
“If the ACA is repealed, it will hurt the 42,000 Iowans who have saved money on prescription drugs, it will take away insurance from the 18,000 Iowans under the age of 26 who can now stay on their parent’s insurance and it will take away from 2 million Iowans the security of knowing they never have to worry about lifetime caps or losing insurance when they get sick,” he said.
4. ‘LUDICROUS AND BIZARRE’ BIRTHER ATTACK.
One plank insists that all candidates for office prove their qualifications, including citizenship. Section 7 is a nod to the thoroughly debunked conspiracy theories concerning Obama’s citizenship, Brennan said.
Its inclusion is disrespectful both to “the office of the president and the American people,” he said.
“The birther movement is one of the most ludicrous and bizarre political attacks we’ve ever seen,” Brennan said. “The fact the Iowa Republican Party joins Donald Trump in promoting this preposterous position is truly incredible.”
5. OPPOSITION TO BULLYING LAW ‘IS UNCONSCIONABLE.’
The Republicans oppose the state’s “School Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Act of 2007.” Section 6.32 calls anti-bullying efforts the responsibility of individual schools, rather than the state.
That opposition is meant to deny support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, but undermines efforts to ensure all children are safe and secure at schools, Brennan said.
“To remove laws that are working to protect children is unconscionable,” he said.
more at link above