Editor’s note: Doesn’t this make it clear how far the GOP will go to respond to the “people’s will” about protecting marriage? They’d pay any amount to get this on the ballot.
The group trying to put a gay marriage ban on the
New state campaign finance records show that of the $193,000 that has been raised by Florida4marriage.org, the political committee working to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage, $150,000 of it came in a single donation from the Florida Republican Party.
On Nov. 25, the party made the contribution, records show.
"It certainly was helpful," Florida4Marriage chairman John Stemberger said of the donation, which he said was unsolicited. "I'm not at liberty to discuss the details, but they came to us and gave us the money."
The big contribution was something of a surprise because the effective head of the state party, Gov. Jeb Bush, has been decidedly tepid about the proposed constitutional amendment. He has characterized it as well-meaning but unnecessary because state law already bars same-sex marriage.
"Gov. Bush was not aware of the contribution ... ," said Alia Faraj, a Bush spokeswoman. "The party has a right to participate in the process and support initiatives that reflect their principles."
Having the ban on the ballot in November could help GOP candidates by energizing turnout among religious conservatives.
Florida GOP executive director Andy Palmer noted similar measures boosted Republican turnout in battleground states in 2004, but he said the party wanted to help the effort in
The contribution was listed in state party financial reports covering the final three months of 2005. The reports show the Republican Party raised $4.97-million in the last quarter of the year, including $100,000 each from The Villages mega development in north-central
Democrats raised $1.77-million, which state chairwoman Karen Thurman called a strong showing for a party with virtually no power in
More of GOP fuels gay marriage ban
Posts
Stumble It!
