I just watched the most fascinating exchange on the CNN morning show between the anchors and Paul Begala, one of the Democratic elite's "people on the inside" in the media.
With his big, bright smile, he echoed what I have been starting to hear from other news sources and around the blogosphere:
"Democrats have a problem. They need to leave behind their 'cultural elitism' and find a way to appeal to 'social Conservatives' in the Heartland.'
Put this into your code ring and you get this: "Someone get those homos out of here."
The Republicans have just told the Democratic Party apparatus that, if they don't put the dog outside, they aren't coming over for dinner.
The more and more I think about it, the more obvious it seems to me that the eleven anti-gay measures that passed were designed to bring Conservatives to the polls, especially where it might count (in states like Oregon and Ohio) and to use this issue to give George Bush a ride on some coattails.
Nothing works for so-called "social Conservatives" than giving them the opportunity to spit downwind on someone else using the ballot box. Remember how Jesus told his disciples to "Beat the unwanted and take away their children?" He said, "The strong are the masters of the meek and they shall inherit the Earth." This resonates with "Christian" voters and people cast ballots accordingly.
The Democratic Party elites see that they have an albatross around their neck: A gang of perverts, uppity homos, who are dragging the party down. If you want to rule, you have to adopt the values of the ruling population.
The thing is, not only is this attitude repellent and counter to principles of the Democratic Party, it is just as certain to ensure failure as Begala thinks it will ensure success.
I don't think the Democrats can win without the votes of gay people and gay families. In fact, from what I've seen on this board, I don't think that the Democratic Party could even function without the dedication and energy that gay people give to filling local positions and volunteering.
This issue cannot be given up to the Republicans as a lost one. It has to be transformed or, if not, neutralized.