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The press is calling it an "extraordinary move." And "unprecedented."
But why is it extraordinary for a political party to participate in something that merely affirms its own platform that clearly states a pro-life, traditional marriage core value?
Why is RNC Chairman Reince Priebus delaying the 4-day winter meeting of the Republican National Committee so he and all the Committee can participate in the annual March For Life event in Washington DC scheduled for January 22?
No other Chairman has done so in the past.
Has the Republican Party, some of whom have been calling on Republicans to avoid getting involved in what they call "hot button social issues," now seen the light?
The Washington Times is exclusively reporting, "In an unprecedented show of opposition to abortion, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is delaying the start of the party’s annual winter meeting so he and other committee members can join the March for Life on the Mall, The Washington Times has learned."
Priebus told the Times, "I saw there was a real interest among a significant portion of our members to attend and support the Rally for Life."
He said it "is a core principle of our Party. It was natural for me to support our members and our principles."
It's interesting that these social "core principals" have been in place for quite some time, but not before recognized in this way. In fact, leaders of the Republican Party have been strongly advocating for at least the past two years that Republicans set aside the focus on these "core values" in order to win an election.
Politico reported two years ago that various organizations and leaders, including some Tea Party organizations, were calling on the GOP to move away from them because they are a "distraction."
Remember the "Growth and Opportunity Project?" It was a study last year, led by Chairman Priebus, to discover how the GOP could stop losing elections and begin winning them.
Among the strong recommendations was a call for Republicans to move away from the divisive "social issues." To become more "welcoming and inclusive."
NBC News pointed out that although the GOP was asking for compliance with this notion, there were those in elected office within the Party who were not complying.
NBC said although the study called for the Party to become more "welcoming and inclusive," some members were not doing so.
They also pointed out that many within the Party were taking issue with those who conducted the study.
So are things changing within the Republican Party?
Perhaps. But let's look a little closer---behind the story, as they say.
In an email circulated among the members of the RNC members, Debbie Joslin, a member from Alaska said, "I have served under a number of chairmen and not one of them ever made any opportunity for us to attend the March For Life, and they always scheduled critical meetings for the same time as the March for Life. Big thanks to Reince for standing for the unborn."
This causes one to wonder why the RNC has not, over the years, adjusted their meeting time in that the March for Life happens on the same dates each year to coincide with the Roe v. Wade decision.
But, agreed. Good move by Reince. It should have been happening all along. It should not need to be identified as "unprecedented" by a Party who claims to stand for the sanctity of life.
However, I think the events leading up to this "unprecedented" and "extraordinary" action may well be the most important aspect of the story.
Missouri GOP Chairman and RNC member Ed Martin points out, "When Reince got wind of what members were planning on their own, he emailed that he would shift our RNC schedule so we could attend, and offered that the RNC would get transportation for us."
Oklahoma RNC member Carolyn McLarty, an evangelical, says the change actually had its origins in an email reminder about the March from Virginia RNC member Kathy Hayden "about a week ago and that we would probably attend at least part of it prior to the start of the RNC meeting...things have snowballed from there."
Following that email, members began emailing each other about attending the March.
Melody Potter, RNC member from West Virginia, contacted the bus company and everything changed in regard to participating in the March For Life.
Why is this important?
Melody Potter summed it up like this:
"There is nothing that we cannot accomplish together."
Indeed.
This is a critical time in the culture of our nation and our communities. Together, with God, we can do significant things.
Let's do them.
Be United. Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Pro-Active. Be Prayerful. Be Bold. Be Blessed.