A national organization that lobbies
against gay marriage is threatening to boot out Republican senators
that vote in favor of a gay marriage bill waiting for Senate approval
to become law in New York.
The National Organization for Marriage
(NOM) announced Tuesday the creation of a Political Action Committee
in New York to raise funds to back primary challengers of GOP
Senators who vote in favor of gay marriage.
“Gay marriage is not high on the list
of any voters' priorities, but again and again we've seen politicians
respond to political money thrown around by [gay philanthropist] Tim
Gill and his friends and ignore the wishes of their own
constituents,” said Brian Brown, executive director of NOM, in a
press release.
But it seems unlikely that the group
will have to follow through on its threat. The gay marriage bill
before the Senate is likely to remain stalled with only three
official days left in the legislative session. The New York Senate
also remains in a power struggle for majority leadership. Last week
two Democrats – Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate
of Queens – defected to the Republican aisle to hand power to the
GOP. But Monserrate recanted this week, leaving both parties
claiming leadership.
Still, stories persist that Republican
lawmakers are considering using the gay marriage bill to lure
Democrats across the aisle and seize control once again.
“If they get two or three more
Democrats to join the 31-member [GOP] caucus, there's been discussion
to give up the same-sex marriage bill if it gets them some
Democrats,” New York state Conservative Party chairman Michael Long
told the Washington Times.
As NOM works at keeping Republicans in
line with heavy-handed threats, it's also hoping to seduce Empire
State Democrats.
“The first half million dollars will
be used in GOP primaries,” Brown said, “but we are also looking
to aid Democratic candidates who want to buck the establishment on
the marriage issue, and to help in general election contests.”
“When you have to spiral down to
political threats it really illustrates that NOM is grasping at
straws because they know they aren't winning on the arguments,”
Alan Van Capelle, executive director of Empire State Pride Agenda,
told Politico's
Ben Smith.