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There is growing unrest among many social conservatives who have traditionally been a part of the Republican Party.
Oregon, as Washington did in 2012, is looking to legalize so-called same-sex "marriage."
Unlike the Washington GOP which merely ran candidates who publicly supported same-sex "marriage" while claiming the Party supports traditional marriage, the Oregon GOP has dispensed with the double talk.
At their annual convention this weekend, the Oregon GOP officially endorsed a same sex "marriage" bill that will likely be on their ballot in November.
Not all Oregon Republicans are willing to make that compromise so an alternative state convention was called simultaneously in another part of the state, proclaiming their support for the Party's platform and their personal beliefs and commitment to social conservatism.
The "moderates" generally told the press they were glad the social conservatives were not there, some even mocking the conservatives.
The growing division between social conservatives--- people of faith, and the so-called Republican moderates is growing, not only here in the secular Northwest, but across the country.
That was evidenced in the CPAC meeting that concluded this weekend near Washington DC.
Why does the GOP believe that if they can move, or appear to move far enough to the left they can somehow begin to win rather than lose elections?
More on the Oregon Republicans and some observations.
The decision to endorse same-sex "marriage" did not come without a cost. Compromise always has a cost.
In the case of Oregon, it publicly split the Party.
The Oregonian reported that the "annual conference endorsed the measure on a 233-162 vote."
It also reported that those Republicans supporting gay "marriage" believe that not supporting it "drives young people into the Democrats hands."
They made a purely political decision regarding a moral issue. Is that leadership?
Does the Republican Party actually believe they can compete with the Democrats on the issues of secularizing our culture? And if so, is that a victory?
Former State Senator Charles Starr attended the conference and told the "moderates" not to "shake your fist in the face of a living God."
Rolf Glerum, a long time Republican activist, said he is glad to see the social conservatives split off.
The moderate convention reported their largest paid attendance since 2010 and one of the largest in its 50 year history.
However, the conservative convention, held simultaneously, reported an even greater number in attendance, even though the convention was called only 10 days prior to its convening.
The Oregonian reported that former US Senator Bob Packwood, the founder of the convention, "teared up" as he recounted how moderate Republicans stood up in favor of abortion in the past. Now, Packwood called on all Republicans to support redefining marriage, saying it would put the party's candidates "on the winning side."
I'm trying to remember how many Republican candidates who are pro-abortion and pro-gay "marriage" have been elected to statewide office in recent years here in the Northwest.
There was also an attempt to tamp down what moderates consider the "divisive issues" of abortion and marriage at the recent CPAC meeting.
Associated Press is reporting that "Some of the GOP's most prominent conservatives insisted Friday that Republicans should emphasize hot-button social issues like abortion and gay marriage in this year's midterm elections, exposing an ideological divide within a party trying to capture the Senate and then the White House."
AP says, "Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist pastor, set the tone early in the second day of the Conservative Political Action Conference."
"If this nation forgets our God, then God will have every right to forget us," Huckabee said. "It's time for government to scale back, not for people of faith to scale back."
I believe the Republican Party is suffering an identity crises. Many candidates claim they feel called to public service, but are driven by personal ambition and a desire for power, not a call to service.
We are beyond a political solution. Republicans, or any other political party, cannot provide a solution to the problems in our culture and our nation.
A "successful election" where a Republican or two gets elected because they compromised the stated beliefs of the Party is hardly success.
And why would anyone vote for a compromising Republican who supports gay "marriage" and abortion, when they can vote for an authentic secular progressive Democrat?
Thomas Jefferson was not known as a spiritual leader, yet he recognized the consequences of compromise. He said in a letter to William B. Giles on December 31, 1795: “Where the principle of difference [between political parties] is as substantial and as strongly pronounced as between the republicans and the monocrats of our country, I hold it as honorable to take a firm and decided part and as immoral to pursue a middle line, as between the parties of honest men and rogues, into which every country is divided.“
Well, perhaps we offer a candidate who is honestly a social or moral moderate, but is a fiscal conservative.
It's fantasy to believe that moral issues and fiscal issues are unrelated.
Huckabee is right. It's time to "remember God."
George Washington agrees. In his Farewell Address he told the nation: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and citizens...its substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of government...Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue...it is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
Those who advocate for silence on the principles of virtue and morality cannot rightly claim patriotism. They can only claim their drive of personal ambition and quest for political power.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Pro-Active. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.