Mixed signals from N.H. GOP platform committee
Revisions to the New Hampshire Republican Party platform proposed by the platform committee send a set of contradictory messages.
They propose removing a reference to “traditional families” as the “foundation of strong communities” – but continue to declare marriage is a “legal union between one man and one woman.”
They propose removing language opposing “Sharia Law, the International Baccalaureate Program, UN Agenda 21 or other ‘sustainable development’ programs” – but they oppose the implementation of Obamacare.
They propose removing a reference supporting “organizations who provide alternatives to abortions” – but leave intact a commitment to “implement all possible legal protections” for “the unborn child’s fundamental right to life.”
There is dissent. One delegate proposed eliminating the anti-choice language. “This sentence sounds very threatening,” she wrote. “To implement all possible legal protections. I’m concerned that women seeking an abortion, which is their moral choice, good or bad, will be criminalized. The sentence could sound like the war on women the democrats talk about.” The committee rejected her recommendation.
When the Republican State Committee holds its 2014 Convention on Saturday, delegates will be called upon to ratify the platform revisions. The delegates were chosen by Republican voters in last week’s primary election. Tea Party and Free Stater activists had worked to increase their representation at the convention. Saturday, we’ll learn if they were any more successful than their candidates for Governor and the U.S. Senate.