They’re not holding back
I’m reporting with @eric_neugeboren from @TexasGOP convention in Houston, where the draft platform calls for requiring students to learn that life begins at fertilization and to listen to live ultrasounds. Story coming soon.
The party’s 2020 platform was *relatively* more moderate and economy-focused, after TX D’s made gains in 2018 statehouse races and w an unpopular Trump in the WH. Two years later, culture war issues and condemnation of Biden are at the forefront.
Right now convention delegates are debating a plank in the platform that calls homosexuality “an abnormal lifestyle choice,” language that was not included in 2018 and 2020.
One delegate, David Gebhart, said the provision “does no benefit to the party” and calls for softening the language: “We are the Republican Party of Texas, not the Westboro Baptist Church.” Mix of laughter and boos.
Another delegate, Nate Criswell, says weakening the homosexuality language would be caving to political correctness. “People appreciate calling a spade a spade.” A third delegate mentions dildos and fisting before she is cut off.
On a voice vote, a motion to amend the homosexuality plank fails. Language calling it “an abnormal lifestyle choice” remains.
Decision to exclude @LogCabinGOP from @TexasGOP convention has been criticized by @DonaldJTrumpJr. A rare example of lack of consensus at this convention.
The convention has adjourned. Our story, with @eric_neugeboren and photos by @JustinRexPhoto:
https://www.texastribune.org/2022/06/18/republican-party-texas-convention-cornyn/
Originally tweeted by Sewell Chan (@sewellchan) on June 18, 2022.
Big of Don Jr to say something but it’s not going to work. This is where they are going. A guy named Christopher Rufo is the GOP’s new Goebbels. And he’s not even trying to hide it. Here’s his latest:
Conservatives should start using the phrase “trans stripper” in lieu of “drag queen.” It has a more lurid set of connotations and shifts the debate to sexualization.
“Drag queens in schools” invites a debate; “trans strippers in schools” anchors an unstoppable argument.
Let the Left try to nitpick the phrase: we can say that “trans” is a stand-in for “transvestite” and we can show videos that are undeniably strip shows.
The “blackface for women” argument is the wrong approach because: (1) it adopts the frame of the Left, which traps conservatives in their identity games; (2) totally misses the main problem, which is the grotesque sexualization of children (not co-optation of the feminine).
“Trans strippers in schools” is a powerful frame to this debate and, if the Left chooses to engage in language games on that phrase, they will find themselves defending concepts and words that are deeply disturbing to most people. Let them get stuck in the linguistic mud.
The trick is to shift the language in a way that is factually accurate and has a plausible claim to neutrality, but attaches a new set of connotations to the concept that shifts the debate in your favor. The Left is very good at this; time for the Right to start playing.
Andrew Sullivan loved this guy when he was pushing the Critical Race Theory meme (it was Rufo’s baby)
He’s not so happy about him now.
Rufo’s also the guy who got the “teachers are groomers” meme off the ground. And as you can see he’s not even pretending that this is anything more than propaganda. Great stuff…