"When people ask me why I am a member of the Republican Party, I point them to the proud history of the GOP, the principles that we stand for collectively, and the reflections of Americanism found in our political philosophy. However, when people ask me why I remain a member of the Republican Party, they do so as they point to recent ugly examples of intolerance and racism, including the incidents of racism that we have seen recently from state operatives in South Carolina and Tennessee.
"Sentiments like the insensitive and repugnant ones expressed this past week have no place in the Republican Party. They do not reflect conservative values. They do not reflect free market principles. They only reflect bigotry. Further, they have no legitimate place in any American political party nor do they rightfully have a home in the United States of America. Leaders cannot lead with hatred nor can they pursue growth and freedom with moral decay and bondage.
"I strongly abhor the words and actions of my party members and ask that their malignant presence and behaviors be swept out immediately and replaced by an invigorating momentum that can be inclusive, respectful, yet loyal to the true essence of the Republican Party - the protection of equality and inalienable rights given by God and defended by limited government. I forgive them as a Christian, but I will not condone this behavior as a Republican.
"I realize that as people continue to ask me why I am proud to be a Republican in light of the recent incidents, I must point to the beacons of light that we possess and not ponder upon the mistakes of the visible minority. I proudly work to make sure that the majority of wholesome, respectful, and patriotic Republicans that labor to promote their political values with zeal but without malice are not typecast with the broad stroke of the ignorant few. As well, I refuse to allow the best that our party and our country can offer to be overridden by those that refuse to be inclusive on the grounds of racial and gender differences. I see my refusal as a patriotic obligation that I hope others will share with me."
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Lenny McAllister is a political commentator featured regularly on Fox Television in Charlotte, NC, on XM Radio and Sirius Radio, and online as a syndicated writer nationally. McAllister is an socially-conscious conservative with a mission to make positive changes to the status quo within politics, social issues and other issues that hamper our American way of life.
For more information, please visit http://www.lennymcallister.com/
HHR Note: The South Carolina Republican Party recently launched a campaign to reach out to minorities who have, for decades, wanted nothing to do with the state's GOP. On Sunday, however, longtime Republican activist Rusty DePass seemed to be doing everything in his power to thwart that effort when he was caught making a racist joke on his Facebook page about First Lady Michelle Obama.
Over the weekend, a gorilla escaped from a zoo in Columbia, and according to the New York Daily News, DePass just couldn't resist what he saw as the perfect opportunity for humor, updating his status message to read,
"I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors - probably harmless."
Late last month, an email went out from an administrative assistant working for a Republican elected official in the legislature here in the state that was titled "Historical Keepsake Photo."
The photo was this: http://newscoma.com/2009/06/15/racist-and-ridiculous/
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/06/15/south-carolina-republican-compares-michelle-obama-to-escaped-gor/
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