January 26, 2014
Log Cabin Republicans Challenge Dave Agema To Debate What?
EDGE READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Washington, D.C. - Following historic calls for his resignation by GOP leaders including RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak, Congressman Justin Amash and others in the wake of anti-gay statements going far beyond disapproval of civil marriage equality for same-sex couples, Michigan RNC Committeeman Dave Agema refused to step down from his post. In response, Log Cabin Republicans National joined Log Cabin Republicans of Michigan to issue the following offer:
"Dave Agema just doesn't get it, so I'm personally challenging him to a debate," Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo declared. "Despite calls from Party leadership to focus on victory in November, Dave Agema seems hell-bent on pursuing the politics of division that will kill the GOP's chances of winning in the November mid-terms. Agema stands on a soapbox of conservative Christianity, but as a conservative Christian myself I find his views out-of-touch and unrepresentative of the views of conservative Christians I know who believe in the 'Greatest Commandment' of Jesus Christ to 'love thy neighbor.' Someone needs to stand up to this bigotry. On behalf of the overwhelming groundswell of GOP leaders who have concluded that Agema does not represent the Michigan GOP nor the Republican National Committee, I'm offering Mr. Agema the opportunity to defend his brand of 'conservatism' in a debate with Log Cabin Republicans. Let's get together - Republican to Republican - and have this out once and for all."
In 2012, ThinkProgress reported that Angelo's predecessor R. Clarke Cooper was quick to try to discredit President Barrack Obama's announcement supporting marriage equality, calling it "cold comfort" and "offensive and callous".
In 2013, LCR Executive Director, Gregory T. Angelo tweeted:
Gays in Seattle celebrate "pride" by beating down street preachers. Liberal "tolerance strikes again. Scary.
In December 2013, Angelo's LCR denounced an advertisement for the affordable care act because of its inclusion of speedo clad models. A week earlier, Angelo proposed a "Moonshine Summit" to present his organization's Christian views to homophobic "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson.
This all leaves one to wonder - what would the Agema debate be about?