To: Friends and Supporters of the Campaign for Working Families
From: Gary L. Bauer, Chairman
Date: Thursday, February 21, 2002
GOP Abandoning Life?
Is the "fix" in? I have been monitoring developments in the Republican Party all over the country. There is a pattern emerging that should make every pro-life, pro-family conservative sit up and pay attention. Already I have reported to you about the appointment of Lewis Eisenberg to be the party's chief fundraiser, as well as the activities of the Republican Unity Coalition, which is trying to make the party "gay friendly." Here's more.
In Pennsylvania and Ohio, pro-life candidates for governor have shocked and demoralized the pro-family base of the party by picking pro-abortion running mates, who are liberal on other social issues as well. There is some speculation that this is a prelude to preparing the Republican Party for a pro-choice vice presidential running mate in 2004 or 2008.
In California, the state Republican Party is being ripped away from its conservative base through the efforts of Gerald Parsky. Parsky, with the help of Karl Rove, President Bush's top political strategist, has handpicked former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan as the establishment's man to run for governor. But Riordan is as far to the left as Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton when it comes to the values issues that motivate most Republican voters. Even former Republican Governor George Deukmejian has publicly said he will not vote for Riordan if he gets the nomination.
Where Are The Leaders?
On the national level, many leaders of pro-family groups are upset about these developments, but still they remain silent. Why? Because any criticism of the Republican Party or of White House operatives hurts fundraising and many groups are already on the ropes financially. In addition, any public critic is quickly "punished" by the White House. Other leaders are still so happy that Al Gore didn't get elected that they are willing to tolerate almost any amount of drift on the core issues we care about. Only a few, including my friend Jim Dobson, have been willing to speak up.
Time For A Reality Check
I believe these developments are leading us to a point where the Republican Party may abandon its resistance to the radical social agenda of the Democrats and where the only difference between the two parties will be fiscal and foreign policy. If so, we lose.
Thousands of you get this report every day. My friends, I urgently need your input today. Let me know if you think I am being realistic or alarmist. Tell me whether or not you care if the Republican Party remains pro-family and pro-life. Do you see similar leftward trends in your state? If you do care, what are you prepared to do to reverse this trend? Those of you who have responded in the past know that I make every effort to answer each comment personally. I will do the same in response to this request, whether I hear from ten of you or a thousand of you. Please take a moment to give me your feedback.
