By Tim Waggoner
BOSTON, April 8, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Republican Party of Massachusetts’ newly elected Chairman told a LGTB news service recently that the party will no longer take stances on social issues like same-sex “marriage” because she is against “legislating” personal views.
In an interview with the LGTB newspaper the Bay Window, Mass. State Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour said that her priority of reinvigorating grass roots Republicans will be addressed through a party-wide focus on the economy – not prominent social issues.
“To me social issues are personal issues. Those are personal views, and we are not legislating here – at least I am not legislating anyone’s personal views,” said Nassour. “I have no personal agenda I’m trying to push through other than electing Republicans.”
“Obviously building a strong grassroots and a farm team to get people to run for office [is important], but I think what’s also important is to reach out to people who aren’t part of the Republican Party right now and try to expand the party and bring new people in, and I would include the gay and lesbian community.”
However, President Brian Camenker of the pro-family action center for Massachusetts, MassResistance, told LifeSiteNews.com that Nassour’s comments have “betrayed” many Republicans.
Camenker recalled how during her campaign for chairman, Nassour remained silent on issues such as same-sex “marriage” and shied away from any related questions from pro-family Republicans.
“She just didn’t talk these issues and when she was asked she just gave vague replies,” he said. “Although one of the other candidates Mike Franco was pro-family, there was a huge push from the party establishment to elect Nassour.”
“There is a feeling of betrayal. To announce this in a homosexual newspaper, one that has a long history of anti-Catholicism, anti-religion and bigotry, that is a real slap in the face.”
Camenker also said Nassour’s lukewarmness on social issues is just bad politics, warning that the activists of the Republican Party will be turned off by her non-opposition to same-sex “marriage.”
“The people who are the activists, the grassroots Republicans, it means a lot to them. And they are simply not going to support someone who is against something they believe in,” he said. “These are the people who walk around door-to-door for the Republican Party.”
Camenker said those members of the Republican party who have strayed from confronting social issues in the past, have only hurt the party as a whole.
“I think that when Republicans become too much like Democrats people see no difference in switching. Being lukewarm on issues in the past, such as the same-sex marriage controversy in 2004, have done them no good.”
Camenker said that MassResistance has received an earful from outraged citizens of Massachusetts and other states since they issued their report on Nassour’s remarks.
“It surprised me how vociferously and quickly the uproar has occurred. You should see the number of emails and calls I have received since this morning. Nassour is just going to make things worse.”
To voice concern, contact:
Jennifer Nassour, Chairman
[email protected]
Massachusetts Republican Party
85 Merrimac St., Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
[email protected]
tel: 617-523-5005
fax: 617-523-6311
For MassResistance’s article see:
https://www.massresistance.org/docs/gen/09b/nassour/index.html
For the full Bay Window article see:
https://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=89172