IowaPolitics.com BlogWatch

Opponents of gay marriage (including one of our friends and frequent
commenters here at GPRR) often criticize "unelected judges" like Polk
County's Robert Hanson and the justices of the California Supreme
Court for overriding the will of the people. While public opinion
seems to be changing in California (and presumably elsewhere), calls
to "let the voters decide" don't make sense, for several reasons.
First, many judges are, in fact, elected, or at least retained in
office by the public. That's the case in California and here in Iowa.
Judge Hanson will be up for retention in 2010, and some activists are
hoping to unseat him. Second, and more importantly, the maligned and
feared "activist judge" legislating from the bench is a straw man.

Labels: marriage

I know there must be a place -- somewhere either between or beyond the salvos of political rhetoric of Des Moines -- for Iowans to have a real conversation about civil rights in our state. Unfortunately, when the rhetoric is so loud and so obscene, everyday Iowans tend to switch to a different channel and tune out important issues. Monday, for example, House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, a Sioux City Republican, decided he would implement a rarely used legislative rule to move a proposal on the Iowa Marriage Amendment out of committee. Rants was prompted to make this move due to the fact that the Iowa Legislature is entering it's first "funnel week" -- a time when bills not moved out of committee die on the vine.

Labels: Christopher Rants, marriage

Yesterday in the Iowa Legislature, House Minority Leader Christopher Rants (R - Screamer) tried to use a procedural motion to move a proposed Defense of Marriage Amendment out of committee onto the floor for a vote. Showing solidarity, Democrats voted against the motion, keeping the bill in committee where it will die a natural death by the end of the week. I'm so proud of the Democrats in the Iowa House today. As one, they took a stand against bigotry and discrimination. Realizing that the state constitution is a document that enshrines our rights as citizens, they refused to write discrimination into state law, forever disenfranchising a segment of the state's population.

Labels: marriage

The perfectly named Christopher Rants, Iowa's GOP House Minority Leader, this morning failed in his push to debate an amendment to the Iowa Constitution banning gay marriage. The drumbeat raving by conservatives over how Democrats try to interfere in personal lives is hard to square with the GOP's anti-gay, anti-choice, and interference in family end-of-life decisions agenda. It leaves one wondering.... just what interference are they talking about? It's their social agenda that would dictate from the cradle, to the altar, the bedroom and the grave. And, to fiddle with Iowa's Constitution to force their views upon Iowans. Democratic majority leaders have resisted debate on the gay marriage resolution as the issue is currently before the Iowa Supreme Court and a such a debate would subvert the process.

Labels: marriage

Today's Des Moines Register has again returned to Chuck Hurley's fight
to preserve the traditional concept of marriage from disintegration in
the moral vacuum of liberal hedonism. Today's article focuses on the
alliance between the inner city black minister Rev. Keith Ratliff, and
his Maple Street Baptist Church, and Chuck and the Iowa Family Policy
Council. The Hurley/Ratliff alliance on what is perhaps the most
significant social question before Iowa's voters proves a couple of
important theories we have advanced here at TRS about the benefits of
openly and aggressively pursuing protection of marriage as a
cornerstone of the Iowa GOP agenda. The first, and more short term
benefit is the creation of a bright line issue between Republicans and
Democrats in which a significant majority of black voters side with
us.

Labels: marriage

The vote count is close on the question of gay marriage in the Iowa Legislature, but the personal feelings are overwhelming, according to a Des Moines Register survey published Sunday. Only six legislators -- three Senators, three Representatives, all Democrats from urban districts, answered no when asked "Do you believe marriage should be only between a man and a woman?" And it's that idea, as much as the policy stance on a proposed constitutional amendment, that's got some in Iowa's LGBT community upset. ... The question won't be on this fall's ballot, as it would have to pass two consecutive sessions. But if it comes to a roll call, those votes are likely to be prominently featured in GOP campaign ads. Democrats must trade that fear against the money and volunteer time LGBT activists offer to campaigns. "Shame on me for investing my time, money, and efforts supporting candidates that believe I'm not fully equal to them," said Democratic activist Janelle Rettig of Iowa City, citing Johnson County legislators who won't commit to the principle of full equality.

Labels: marriage

After the August ruling by judicial activist Robert Hanson, this issue has been thrust into forefront of our debate here in Iowa. It's completely irresponsible to allow one unelected person to determine the social mores and policies of this state. If Iowa wants gay marriage, the people ought to vote either directly or have their legislators serve as their proxy. If those legislators screw up, the voters can throw 'em out. And rightfully so. ... It's embarrassing how powerful we've let the judicial branch become. And that's why I don't buy the bogus arguments presented by legislators who are against amending the constitution but for traditional marriage. They are clearly living in a bubble world.

Labels: marriage