Issue #103

by Art Kelly

Conservatives are outraged at U.S. Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling that California voters had no right to amend their state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

Curt Levey, Executive Director of the Committee for Justice, said, “Whatever one thinks of gay marriage as a policy matter, it is clear that today’s decision by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, one of two openly gay federal judges in the nation, is a particularly shameless example of judicial activism…

“This is a classic example of a judge substituting his personal policy preferences for both the rule of law and the democratic will of the people – in this case, the will of the socially liberal voters of California who twice voted for a traditional definition of marriage.”

Rev. Lou Sheldon, Chairman of Traditional Values Coaltion, said, "It is an outrage that one arrogant and rogue federal judge can take it upon himself to overturn a centuries old definition of marriage and family.

“On November 4, 2008, 7 million voters of California cemented into the state constitution a definition of marriage for one man and one woman only. Now with US District Court Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling today he has completely undermined the expressed will of voters at the ballot box. Direct Democracy has been blatantly attacked today…

"There is more at stake than just traditional marriage and the centuries long definition of the family. This ruling seriously undermines the expressed vote and will of the people on initiatives and proposed amendments they approve at the ballot box. This judge's ruling says that any vote of the people will have no weight, credence, sovereignty, value, or worth at all.”

Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, said, “Judge Walker’s decision goes far beyond homosexual ‘marriage’ to strike at the heart of our representative democracy. Judge Walker has declared, in effect, that his opinion is supreme and ‘We the People’ are no longer free to govern ourselves.”

Brian Raum, Senior Counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said, “In America, we should respect and uphold the right of a free people to make policy choices through the democratic process--especially ones that do nothing more than uphold the definition of marriage that has existed since the foundation of the country and beyond.”

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), said, “Today’s wrongful court decision is another attempt to impose a secular immorality on the American people who keep voting to preserve traditional marriage. Traditional marriage has been the foundation of civil society for centuries and we cannot simply toss it aside to fit the political whims of liberal activists with gavels. “

Andy Pugno, General Counsel for ProtectMarriage.com, the official proponents of Proposition 8 in California, announced that Walker’s ruling will be appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

What’s Happening with Seniors Benefits

• Federal judge rules for Virginia in a suit challenging Obamacare
• The Obama Administration had tried to get the suit thrown out
• State Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli fights mandate to buy insurance

What’s Happening with Conservatives and the GOP

• A Gallup Poll shows conservatives are preferred over liberals in 49 of 50 states
• 6 national polls show GOP ahead in congressional elections
• Obama’s approval rating 46% in both Rasmussen and Gallup polls.
• Richard Viguerie will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from WCPAC