The Indiana Republican Party confirmed Saturday that it wants no part of growing socially or welcoming new people into the party.
The state GOP decided to stick with language in its 2016 platform saying strong families are “based on marriage between a man and a woman.” By doing so when a less divisive alternative was available, the party went out of its way to alienate 62 percent of Americans who according to a 2017 Pew Research Center Poll support same-sex marriage.
Looking at that Pew Research Center polling data shows the Republicans holding tight to a party philosophy that is rapidly losing support. The 2017 poll noted 40 percent of Republicans approve of same-sex marriage; in the Pew poll of 2008, only 19 percent approved.
That’s a huge swing being fought by the party.
Republicans had a choice. Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer, the choice of Gov. Eric Holcomb, suggesting he had the governor’s blessing, proposed updating the language in the platform to be less narrow and more inclusive. Offered was: “We support traditional families with a mother and father, blended families, grandparents, guardians, single parents and all loving adults who successfully raise and nurture children to reach their full potential every day.”
But in the end, the social conservatives decided the platform needed to state its preference for “marriage between a man and a woman.”
No question the Republicans are very much in power in our state, but their view on this issue is becoming more and more out of touch with the majority, including many in their own party.