By Natalie Hamil, Staff Writer, Emerson College
Recently, a New York Times article revealed that many prominent republicans, including George W. Bush's former advisors, have signed a legal brief arguing that gay people should be given the constitutional right to marry. This position, which directly contrasts the opinion of John Boehner, the Republican current Speaker of the House, seems to have highlighted a split within the Republican Party.
The viewpoint on this issue has been shifting rapidly within the country, particularly after President Barack Obama publicly expressed his support for gay marriage last May. With his reelection, three states - Maine, Maryland, and Washington - approved gay marriage on election night.
But what does all of this mean for the Republican party? As John Feehery said in the New York Times article, “Republicans in the future are going to [need] to be a little bit more careful about focusing on these issues that tend to divide the party.” This issue of gay marriage seems to be creating quite a chasm in the Republican Party, which could lead to more problems in choosing a new candidate for the 2016 election.
What are your thoughts? Will the Republican Party decide to sway one way or the other, or do you think they’ll come to a healthy compromise for the party? Do you think other issues will divide the party as well?
Check out the original New York Times article here: www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/us/politics/prominent-republicans-sign-brief-in-support-of-gay-marriage.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Natalie Hamil is a Writing, Literature and Publishing major at Emerson College. She enjoys skimming bookstore shelves, watching the sun rise, and wearing bright/patterned pants.
Recently, a New York Times article revealed that many prominent republicans, including George W. Bush's former advisors, have signed a legal brief arguing that gay people should be given the constitutional right to marry. This position, which directly contrasts the opinion of John Boehner, the Republican current Speaker of the House, seems to have highlighted a split within the Republican Party.
The viewpoint on this issue has been shifting rapidly within the country, particularly after President Barack Obama publicly expressed his support for gay marriage last May. With his reelection, three states - Maine, Maryland, and Washington - approved gay marriage on election night.
But what does all of this mean for the Republican party? As John Feehery said in the New York Times article, “Republicans in the future are going to [need] to be a little bit more careful about focusing on these issues that tend to divide the party.” This issue of gay marriage seems to be creating quite a chasm in the Republican Party, which could lead to more problems in choosing a new candidate for the 2016 election.
What are your thoughts? Will the Republican Party decide to sway one way or the other, or do you think they’ll come to a healthy compromise for the party? Do you think other issues will divide the party as well?
Check out the original New York Times article here: www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/us/politics/prominent-republicans-sign-brief-in-support-of-gay-marriage.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Natalie Hamil is a Writing, Literature and Publishing major at Emerson College. She enjoys skimming bookstore shelves, watching the sun rise, and wearing bright/patterned pants.