Seifert Against Prop 8?

Minnesota has had its own round of the Defense of Marriage Act in the recent past. It failed. But the 1.5 million Obama voters in California who voted for a definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman, not between some other combination of people, may have a message for Minnesota GOP leaders: get with the program.

This may prove difficult. GOP leaders have leaked the news that GOP leader Marty Seifert (R 21A) (see photo) is part of a leadership coalition that considers Defense of Marriage to be an extremist position. If true, this certainly isn't what we "joe average" republican voters thought we were voting for when marking republicans on the ballot.

More disturbing is the allegation that GOP leaders have targeted marriage supporting Republican candidates for defeat. In 2008 there are some districts where the GOP deliberately failed to help republican candidates the way they normally would by advertising against DFL candiates. Meanwhile the DFL and independent organizations spent $$ against the republican. This made the difference in some cases.

Joe Average GOP voters are openly discussing how GOP candidates were defeated, not by democrats, but by their own party.

What is at the root of this lack of support by Minnesota GOP leadership? In light of Prop 8 receiving so much support from Obama voters, could it be that the Big Tent and moral high ground has been stolen by ( or sold to ) Democrats? Have the days of the GOP as the Big Tent Party evaporated?

And what's underneath this intolerance of diverse views?

Leaving analysis of macro party politics aside, what is most disturbing is the value system being reported about GOP leaders. GOP leaders such as Seifert openly discuss their feelings for candidates who would oppose taking 6 year old Susie to a lesbian wedding. Let me clear about my view. My view is these opponents to Susie at a lesbian wedding are just average. Seifert's alleged view is opponents to taking Susie to a lesbian wedding are extremists. And Seifert is serious enough about this he thinks the GOP must purge itself of these average citizens. Ergo the lack of party support during campaigns. Ergo the labeling of GOP candidates as extremists. What Seifert is missing is that the purging would include all the average Joe's like me who support the Joe Average candidates Seifert has labeled as extremists. Seifert's dim views of a Joe Average value system combined with his intolerance have a grave implication: Joe Average cannot tell the difference between the GOP and the Democrat leftists. The Democrats have made America into the land of gay marriage. Now the GOP is purging itself of all elements which would keep it from joining the Democrats in that effort.