Can we get a statement both in favor and opposed to race-baiting political tactics, Gov. Romney?
(Matthew Reichbach/
Wikicommons)
Strong words and tough questions from the
New York Times editorial page on the topic of National Organization for Marriage's shameful race-baiting political strategy, which the
Times calls "poisonous," and was
leaked last week. In the editorial titled
"Divide and Discriminate" they reference the disinfecting effect of sunlight:
When a light is shined into the dark corners of American politics, it’s never pleasant to see what scurries away.
National Organization for Marriage's confidential internal memos made explicit their goal to "drive a wedge between gays and blacks—two key Democratic constituencies" and fan "the hostility raised in the wake of Prop 8." They also sought to make opposition to marriage equality "a key badge of Latino identity - a symbol of resistance to inappropriate assimilation."
The "family values" group even budgeted $120,000 to find children of same-sex couples and convince them to denounce their own parents on camera. (Fortunately they apparently haven't been able to convince anyone in the four years since.)
National Organization for Marriage has been roundly condemned not only by virtually every LGBT group but also by the NAACP, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Latino group National Council of La Raza.
One population that hasn't said a word is, of course, the GOP candidates. And they all, save for Ron Paul, have enjoyed a very cozy relationship with National Organization for Marriage and even signed a pledge promising fealty to the organization's goals.
And New York Times takes notice.
Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich have publicly aligned themselves with the group and signed its pledge to work aggressively from the White House against same-sex marriage.
Now that the group’s poisonous political approach is out in the open, Mr. Romney and the others should be racing to make clear their disapproval.
We detect no stampede.
No. The sound you're hearing is crickets.
Romney in particular should be pressed after Sam Stein disclosed that Romney secretly financed National Organization for Marriage in 2008 to the tune of $10,000.
Chris Hayes had a brief message on this story on his Saturday edition of "Up with Chris."
He said:
We know the opposite of wedge politics, is solidarity.
Hayes correctly observed it has been an alliance coalition of people of all colors, faiths and even parties, that brought in the marriage equality victories so far.
What do you see the foundation of the Romney administration being built upon, wedge politics, or solidarity?
Hopefully these questions will spring from the pages of the Times and out of the mouths of correspondents actually empowered to ask these candidates what they think in real time.