The party of freedom and states' rights

We understand why Michael Steele needs to beat Limbaugh to the punch in offering halfwit soundbytes in reaction to Maine's legalization of gay marriage. When the majority of your dwindling base -- 80% according to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll -- remains vehemently opposed to same-sex unions, you have to pat them on their tiny heads and reassure them that the moral majority will never waver.

To that end, I offer two points, both conveniently written and pre-packaged by, of all things, the Republican Party.

1) An explanation of party ideals from the Chairmen’s Preamble to the 2008 Republican Platform:

An optimistic patriotism, driven by a passion for freedom. Devotion to the inherent dignity and rights of every person.

2) An excerpt from the "Government Reform" portion of the platform, entitled Empowering the States, Improving Public Services:

The long term solution for many of Washington’s problems is structural. Congress must respect the limits imposed upon it by the Tenth Amendment: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Why did I ask you to read that? Because it makes this funny:

“Our party platform articulates our opposition to gay marriage and civil unions, positions shared by many Americans. I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman and strongly disagree with Maine’s decision to legalize gay marriage.”

Personal freedom. Dignity of every person. States' rights. Unless you're a fag.

And the best part? This puts him in direct opposition to Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both moderate Republican senators who, not unlike Benedict Arlen, are tired of watching their party bus be driven by demagoguery. I wonder how many more senators Steele has to force to the other side of the aisle before his handlers bury his career right next to that of Rick Santorum.

It is just me, or was Token better off when he was begging forgiveness from Big Daddy Rush?