GOP lawmaker recorded implying orphanages are better than LGBT couples adopting - Polidicks

https://www.losangelesblade.com/2018/09/12/gop-lawmaker-caught-on-tape-orphanages-better-than-gay-adoption/ In an exchange with high school students that was caught on tape, a Republican congressman from New Jersey was tongue-tied over the prospect of same-sex couples adopting children and suggested kids would be better off in orphanages than with LGBT families. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) made the remarks May 29 when addressing student constituents in the auditorium of Colts Neck High School. They asked the congressman about his opposition to adoption by same-sex couples, according to a source familiar with the recording. A source familiar with the tape, who delivered the recording on Monday exclusively to the Los Angeles and Washington Blade, said it was obtained in recent days. Although the Supreme Court settled the issue of marriage, attempts are still underway to deprive LGBT families of the right to adopt. An increasing number of states have passed laws allowing religious-affiliated, taxpayer-funded agencies to refuse placement to LGBT homes for religious reasons. In the U.S. House, Republicans incorporated as a component of appropriations an amendment from Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) that would penalize states and localities for having policies prohibiting anti-LGBT discrimination in adoption. Smith, a longtime member of Congress who has represented New Jersey’s 4th congressional district in the U.S. House since the start of the Reagan administration, has built a substantial anti-LGBT track record in Congress aside from his 1999 vote against gay adoption. In recent years, the Republican has repeatedly earned a score of “0” from the Human Rights Campaign on its biennial congressional scorecard. As the mid-term elections approach, Smith is facing a challenge from Democratic candidate Josh Welle, a businessperson and Navy veteran. In a statement to the Los Angeles and Washington Blade , Welle drew on his experience as a veteran as he criticized Smith for suggesting orphanages are a better fit for children than gay parents. “Chris Smith’s out-of-touch views might have flown in 1980 when he was elected, but his time has passed,” Welle said. “In 2018, in Central Jersey, it is unacceptable to imply a child would be better off in an orphanage than with a loving LGBTQ family. As a veteran, I fought on the front lines alongside men and women who gave their lives to protect and defend the civil liberties that our Constitution ensures for everyone, not just a few. Chris Smith takes us backwards on inclusion and basic human rights for all.” Despite the expected “blue” wave in November, Welle faces an uphill challenge. Political observers have rated New Jersey’s 4th congressional district as a safe or solid Republican seat. https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonBlade/videos/305645980224000/

Josh Welle seems like a good bloke. Hope he wins over this fucking shitbag. Also he's a Navy veteran, represent I suppose.

Welcome back to why I can best say I've left any reason to say "I'm proud of this party" at the door and haven't felt any reason to be a member since Kasich suspended his campaign. Step back and take a moment to learn from Kasich, Laura Bush, and other Republicans that have embraced the US LGBTQ community and understand it isn't harmful. Hell, if I remember correctly Barry Goldwater said to stop fucking this up. Why shouldn't kids be granted the right to have two parents that love them like mine did? My parents were straight, yes, but what differences come from a gay couple as parents? If they're willing to have you and spend the money on you, they'd respect your own personal orientation as you grew up too. This explicit stance on homosexual shutdown I've seen from the party is ridiculous, and having met many gay people in my life out of conservative Virginia, I can certainly tell you that have they only bolstered my views on my perspective of them as fantastic people. Change your perspective on this to best fit the 21st Century and see how much it matters to the party's voters (and I can tell you right now, many people I've met going forward don't care). Your voters go to you for some economic perspectives and some defense of the 2nd Amendment. Rehearse everything I said and adjust accordingly, or retire with the expectation someone else can do the job.

Smith is a 19 term incumbent and 538 gives him a 14/15 chance of winning, It's weird, looking him up he voted against the GOP tax cuts, believes in climate chance, and is pro-labor and supports bills to make it easier to join and make unions. But he's the usual GOP asshat on LGBT

I really want them to do an analysis of all the seats that the GOP fucked themselves out of this year because of their terrible anything goes politics and attitudes. Trump has done one positive thing in that by normalizing this shitty behavior he drags it out front and center for the mob to see for once.

Fuck Chris Smith. Douchebag's had a vicegrip on NJ-4 since 1981. I'll be voting for Josh Welle this November.

It's especially weird given that northeastern republicans (at least ones in suburban areas) mostly staved off defeat by adopting moderate or even slightly left stances on social issues. With him he's somehow the opposite.

the GOP are full of friggin monsters, jesus