Log Cabin Republicans held their 2009 National Convention in Washington, DC from April 16-19. We made history at the convention when Megan McCain, the daughter of Arizona Senator and Presidential candidate John McCain, a strong Log Cabin ally, spoke out about the future of the Republican Party and the need for the Republican Party to be more progressive and inclusive in order to regroup after the 2008 elections.
"I think we’re seeing a war brewing in the Republican party. But it is not between us and Democrats. It is not between us and liberals. It is between the future and the past. I believe most people are ready to move on to that future," said McCain, "Republicans using Twitter and Facebook isn’t going to miraculously make people think we’re cool again. Breaking free from obsolete positions and providing real solutions that don’t divide our nation further will."
In addition to McCain, members also listened to a speech by John McCain's campaign advisor and Republican Party Public Relations Representative Steve Schmidt. Schmidt took the opportunity to discuss the conservative argument for same-sex marriage, namely that an individual's right to marry is a core Republican value.
Schmidt stated that "Republicans should re-examine the extent to which we are being defined by positions on issues that I don’t believe are among our core values, and that put us at odds with what I expect will become over time, if not a consensus view, then the view of a substantial majority of voters... I’m confident American public opinion will continue to move on the question toward majority support, and sooner or later the Republican Party will catch up to it. "
Log Cabin members also heard from Christine Todd Whitman, former Governor of New Jersey and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Whitman also discussed the future of the Republican Party and why adaptability and inclusiveness is more important than ever.
Other speakers and guests of honor included former Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA), Dr. Nathaniel Frank, author of Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America, Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett (ret) of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, CATO Scholar Michael Tanner, former news anchor John Reid, creative media strategist Rob Kubasko, Dena Battle of the National Association of Manufacturers, Phil Kerpen of Americans for Prosperity, Andrew Langer of the Institute for Liberty, Shawn Werner of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Darrell Williams of GOPAC, DC Republican Committee Chairman Bob Kabel, and National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Chairman Walter Schubert.
