This is big, and scary, news. Mike Gabbard wants to become a Democrat.
Currently he is a Republican Hawaii State Senator. The Republicans are a tiny minority in both houses of the state legislature. That's got to be really limiting Mike Gabbard and his (and Chris Butler's) agenda.
Mike would like to be a nationally and internationally known and recognized anti gay and anti abortion leader. He has already participated in anti gay crusades in Australia. He was involved in the Vermont Civil Unions issue a few years ago. He's met with national anti gay leaders. And, of course, there is his very successful anti gay organizing and crusading in Hawaii.
Gabbard is very unusual, in that other demagogues and extremists who have used the gay equal rights issue to organize around, spread hate and frighten people, such as Lon Mabon in Oregon and Lyndon LaRouche in California, have not been successful in getting elected to public office.
This is also worrisome because you would think that Mike Gabbard would have a hard time supporting the Democratic Party of Hawaii Platform. You can see the platform at:
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www.hawaiidemocrats.org]
The Democratic Party of Hawaii platform specifically includes planks that support equal rights and fair treatment of lesbians, gays, transgenders, etc. There is also a plank that supports a woman's right to choose in reproductive healthcare matters.
Adherence to the Democratic Party of Hawaii platform is not strictly enforced.
My own feeling is that the Democratic Party represents the only hope for the State of Hawaii and for our country. The Republican Party is hopelessly mired in conservative religious, neocon and libertarian weirdness. The Republican Party appears to be promoting theocracy for the U.S.
I strongly support separation of church and state.
If you would like to read the article in today's 08/21/07 Honolulu Advertiser about Mike Gabbard thinking of becoming a Democrat, see:
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www.honoluluadvertiser.com]