By Jonathan Miller, on Mon May 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM ET
In recent years, I have been growing increasingly frustrated with the “Daily Dish” blogger, Andrew Sullivan.
His columns have become increasingly petty and personal — witness his never ending personal attack campaign against Sarah Palin. I’m not crazy about her either, but Sullivan obsessive treatment of Palin’s personal life and that of her children often crosses the line of decency.
I’m also quite disturbed at how the former Zionist has become one of the loudest, shrillest voices against the Jewish State.
BUT, I will never forget his passionate, influential, decades-long leadership on the issue of marriage equality. In fact, it was his 1989 New Republic cover story that introduced me — and many others — to the idea itself, helping launch it into the public arena. Sullivan will be long remembered as a forefather of the marriage equality movement.
Click here to read the 1989 article — “Here Comes the Groom: The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage” — and see how far we’ve come as a nation.
By Jonathan Miller, on Mon May 14, 2012 at 10:00 AM ET
President Obama is not the only politician to change his public position on gay marriage. One year ago last week, I came out for marriage equality.
In my inaugural column for The Huffington Post, I revealed that I had always supported marriage equality, but that it was impossible to advocate for the cause and remain a viable statewide politician in my Bible Belt state.
Announcing my support for gay marriage was one of the proudest moments of my political recovery.
Last week, I celebrated my anniversary with a new column at The Huffington Post. Here’s an excerpt:
The President’s announcement is indeed the tipping point for the most important civil rights cause in a generation.
Because Obama made his voice heard, many other Americans will feel more comfortable in proclaiming their support for marriage equality. Still others will take another close look at the issue. When they understand that most of the counter-arguments are simply illogical — gay marriage doesn’t threaten traditional marriage; it doesn’t lead to bigamy and bestiality; it doesn’t undermine family values — they will join our cause as well.
And when support for marriage equality grows from a small majority today to an overwhelming majority in the coming months, there will be no stopping the momentum in state legislatures across the country into making marriage equality a reality for all Americans.
In the 24 hours since the President’s announcement, I’ve already been surprised by some who’ve joined the gay marriage bandwagon. While I knew that Dick Cheney was on board, I had no idea about Bush speechwriter David Frum, or even that my friend, fellow No Labels co-founder, and Bush-Cheney campaign manager Mark McKinnon was a marriage equality advocate. Mazel Tov, Mark!
And today, I also ask you to join me. If you are so inclined, in the comments section below, please indicate your support for marriage equality. And then using all of your social media tools — Facebook, Twitter, Google +, email, etc., please share your message with the world.
Harvey Milk, perhaps history’s most influential gay rights advocate, was right: When more gays and lesbians came out of the closet — and the rest of us began to realize that friends and even loved ones were gay; that gay men and women too can do “heroic things” — the stigma wore off, and it became politically and personally unacceptable to preach gay hatred.
Similarly, when more people discover that those they respect support gay marriage, it will help lead us on a path to full equality.
Now that the President is on board, I urge you to join me today. Together, we can make a real difference.
This morning, the RP, former Congressman Artur Davis, and former RNC Chairman Michael Steele weigh in about last week’s announcement by President Obama of his support for marriage equality.
Please let us know how you feel in the comments section below.
By Jonathan Miller, on Fri May 11, 2012 at 9:30 AM ET
One year ago today, I came out for gay marriage.
In my inaugural column for The Huffington Post, I revealed that I had always supported marriage equality, but that it was impossible to advocate for the cause and remain a viable statewide politician in my Bible Belt state.
Announcing my support for gay marriage was one of the proudest moments of my political recovery.
Today, I celebrate my anniversary with a new column at The Huffington Post. Here’s an excerpt:
The President’s announcement is indeed the tipping point for the most important civil rights cause in a generation.
Because Obama made his voice heard, many other Americans will feel more comfortable in proclaiming their support for marriage equality. Still others will take another close look at the issue. When they understand that most of the counter-arguments are simply illogical — gay marriage doesn’t threaten traditional marriage; it doesn’t lead to bigamy and bestiality; it doesn’t undermine family values — they will join our cause as well.
And when support for marriage equality grows from a small majority today to an overwhelming majority in the coming months, there will be no stopping the momentum in state legislatures across the country into making marriage equality a reality for all Americans.
In the 24 hours since the President’s announcement, I’ve already been surprised by some who’ve joined the gay marriage bandwagon. While I knew that Dick Cheney was on board, I had no idea about Bush speechwriter David Frum, or even that my friend, fellow No Labels co-founder, and Bush-Cheney campaign manager Mark McKinnon was a marriage equality advocate. Mazel Tov, Mark!
And today, I also ask you to join me. If you are so inclined, in the comments section below, please indicate your support for marriage equality. And then using all of your social media tools — Facebook, Twitter, Google +, email, etc., please share your message with the world.
Harvey Milk, perhaps history’s most influential gay rights advocate, was right: When more gays and lesbians came out of the closet — and the rest of us began to realize that friends and even loved ones were gay; that gay men and women too can do “heroic things” — the stigma wore off, and it became politically and personally unacceptable to preach gay hatred.
Similarly, when more people discover that those they respect support gay marriage, it will help lead us on a path to full equality.
Now that the President is on board, I urge you to join me today. Together, we can make a real difference.
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Thu May 10, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
The Politics of Pigskin
The harsh reality of life after football for many former pros. This time it’s Terrell Owens. [ESPN]
Robert Griffin is getting a jump on things by trademarking his name. [NFL.com]
Can Terrelle Pryor make a career for himself in the NFL after a great run at OSU? Could he take Carson Palmer’s starting spot this year? He certainly thinks he can. [Sports Illustrated]
The Vikings are inching closer to that new stadium the franchise and fans have wanted and needed for so long. [1500 ESPN]
More on the Vikings: Are they wasting Adrian Peterson? [ESPN NFC North Blog]
By Jonathan Miller, on Tue May 8, 2012 at 3:00 PM ET
There’s yet another casualty in the Obama/Liberal/Democratic/Socialist War on Christmas: The National Christmas Tree Has Died. Read about the tragedy: [The Daily Beast]
By Jonathan Miller, on Mon May 7, 2012 at 5:00 PM ET
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the best political decision I ever made — picking up my hat from the ring, withdrawing from the Kentucky gubernatorial primary, and endorsing Steve Beshear.
Beshear went on to win landslide primary and general election victories, and I went on to enjoy my family, happiness, and peace.
And when I look back, it’s only with fondness; knowing that while I enjoyed the journey, the path ahead is much brighter.
By Kristen Soltis, on Mon May 7, 2012 at 8:30 AM ET
Having weathered the tense, topsy-turvy contest for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney now moves into the next chapter of the 2012 campaign. But how that next chapter reads is yet to be determined.
The departure of Rick Santorum from the race has sparked debate about how much Romney will need to “fire up the base” as he moves forward in order to turn out very conservative voters in November. Yet as voters grow increasingly frustrated with both parties, it is disaffected voters and disappointed independents who will be most decisive in this coming election.
The great news for Romney is that, no matter how you slice the electorate into target groups, the economy and jobs are the top issues on voters’ minds.
This is not an election that will be decided on social or cultural issues.
Despite Democrats’ efforts to turn fundamentally economic and fiscal issues into cultural issue wedges, the election will not hinge on issues like free contraception or funding for Planned Parenthood.
The White House will go to the candidate who voters believe truly has a plan to create jobs and grow the economy.
Read the rest of… Kristen Soltis: One Approach, For Two Audiences
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Thu May 3, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
The Politics of Pigskin
Sad news broke yesterday as future Hall of Fame, former San Diego Charger Junior Seau is dead due to an apparent suicide. It is being reported that Seau died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest ala Dave Duerson. Seau was 43. [CBS Sports]
Here is more on what Seau’s legacy is already shaping up to be. [Sports Illustrated]
Roger Goodell and the league office have officially doled out the punishments stemming from the Saints’ bounty program. They are harsh, especially for linebacker Jonathan Vilma who is now out for the season, but they are harsh in order to send a message. [ESPN]
Now we can get to the fun of grading the drafts of teams around the league following the draft last week. First is USA Today’s ranking of all 32 teams. [USA Today]
