Vander Plaats Pledges to Halt Gay Marriages if Elected
- Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 4:30
- Iowa
- 717 views
- 18 comments
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats pledges to that if elected, he would sign an executive order that would stop gay marriages in order to give Iowans an opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment.
Vander Plaats said, “Our state, like our federal government, was founded on a system of checks and balances. We have three separate but equal branches of government and, currently, two branches are in conflict. The legislative branch approved the Defense of Marriage Act in 1998 clearly stating that the institution of marriage is defined as one man and one woman. The judicial branch issued an opinion 10 days ago that reverses 161 years of state law and strikes down the Defense of Marriage Act. If we really believe we have three separate but equal branches of government and the legislative and judicial branches are in conflict, I believe the governor has the right, responsibility and obligation in this matter to issue an executive order to stay same-sex marriages.”
Vander Plaats added, “An executive order would allow a time-out until we have a vote of the people. If I were in office today, I would sign such an executive order. I believe Chet Culver can and should take that action to uphold his promise to do whatever it takes to defend the institution of marriage.”
Vander Plaats made the comments at a rally at the Iowa State Capitol yesterday which was organized by Everyday America.
About the Author
Craig Robinson has written 454 stories on this site.
Craig Robinson serves as the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheIowaRepublican.com. Prior to founding Iowa's largest conservative news site, Robinson served as the Political Director of the Republican Party of Iowa during the 2008 Iowa Caucuses. In that capacity, Robinson planned and organized the largest political event in 2007, the Iowa Straw Poll, in Ames, Iowa. Robinson also organized the 2008 Republican caucuses in Iowa, and was later dispatched to Nevada to help with the caucuses there. Robinson cut his teeth in Iowa politics during the 2000 caucus campaign of businessman Steve Forbes and has been involved with most major campaigns in the state since then. His extensive political background and rolodex give him a unique perspective from which to monitor the political pulse of Iowa.
18 Comments on “Vander Plaats Pledges to Halt Gay Marriages if Elected”
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Quoting from The DesMoines Register:
“Several lawmakers and Phil Roeder, a spokesman for Gov. Chet Culver, said governors do not have that power.
“Governors in Iowa do not have the ability to prevent or overturn a decision of the Supreme Court through an executive order,” Roeder said.
“It’s disappointing that some people, especially politicians, would try to mislead the public into thinking that governors do have such power.”
Vander Plaats said in an interview that he would try the executive order approach anyway — and he thinks Culver should try it now.
“Who is to balance the courts?” he asked. “Who says the courts get the final say?”
Say what?
Did BVP _really_ say, “Who is to balance the courts?” he asked. “Who says the courts get the final say?” ?
Unless I remember my Civics and PoliScis entirely incorrectly, the Judicial branch _is_ the final arbiter of law in our Republic.
Either BVP is stupid about that, and I doubt it, or more likely he is making political hay with you whackos who’d grasp at any straw to prop up your theocratic bent.
there is no such thing as a conservative demo, is there? What makes you conservative? You sound like a left wing whack job just like the others.
Uhh, Conservative Demo is correct. An executive order to stave off a Supreme Court decision? I don’t even know where to start. If BVP actually believes the crap that is coming out of his mouth he has no business being anywhere near the Governor’s mansion.
The executive order probably wouldn’t work but it sure would fire up the people of Iowa and they would be on your side, unlike the Big Lug who waits 4 days and basically doesn’t do what he said he would do.
Owha Tagoo Siam, he said.
BVP is a joke, as is the majority of the Republican Party of Iowa.
Like our prophet Jon Stewart once said: “You are confusing tyranny with losing.”
You’ve lost this fight. Lick your wounds and wait for another day.
Smells like some political bag balm.
bvp is a joke. the democrats desperately hope he is the gop candidate against culver. probably the only republican culver can beat.
Oh, Im sure he would much rather run against Rants. People hate that guy.
Bob obviously doesn’t know what he is talking about. He can issue all the executive orders he wants on this matter, but if a County Recorder chooses not to follow it, there is nothing that the brilliant BVP can do about it. Additionally, if a recorder does deny a same-sex couple a license to marry, the couple can sue the county and the Court will rule in favor of the couple. I understand that Bob used to be a teacher. I hope it wasn’t civis that he taught. .
Craig Robinson,
Please get a handle on your blog. Force people to use one screen name per email address and cut down on these obvious trolls. They’re not even good liars and, honestly, it’s like discussing politics with kindergarteners.
Anon gop said:
“bvp is a joke. the democrats desperately hope he is the gop candidate against culver….”
Funny. All the liberal Dem bloggers say the same thing about Steve King.
The Iowa Democratic Party’s train wreck is only picking up speed.
I read your article in the very liberal Des Moines Register this morning and just wanted to let you know that if you do indeed run for Governor in our state you will certainly have my vote.
I am 73 years young and i feel so bad when I see what is happening to our country. After the liberal people are through i am not sure that we will recognize what is left. I have a great grandson and I hope and pray that he will have a chance to know this great country as I have known it with all of the liberties and God given rights that our constitution guarantees us.
don’t worry shirley you will SURELY have an opportunity to vote for Bob for governor for the rest of your life. however long that may be. vander loser in 2016!
He’s a joke to the Republican party and dares call himself an American. Hate gays, hate gay marriage, ban it from your churches, sleep easy at night knowing their soles will burn in hell. BUT, while in this country and on this planet they deserve the same rights as anyone else. That’s reality. This is really what the Republican party’s focus is on? HELLO — we elected the most liberal democrat in history. I think people are over it (well, the young ones anyway).
anonymous 11:57 Your remark is indicative of the lack of respect you liberals have for this country and the people who believe differently than you. I would much rather be called a bigot than a liberal. You people are filthy and have contributed nothing of value. A group of people who’s lasting contribution to American culture is felching. How proud you must be. Your lack of respect for your elders, as your comment to Shirley indicates, proves you had a shoddy upbringing.
Unless I remember my Civics and PoliScis entirely incorrectly, the Judicial branch _is_ the final arbiter of law in our Republic.
True, Judicial Branch is final arbiter of the law, but the people who vote are the final word. Now perhaps things need to be worded differently so they pass a judicial review, but as one who has actually taught civic’s the final say is always with those who vote.
/True, Judicial Branch is final arbiter of the law, but the people who vote are the final word. Now perhaps things need to be worded differently so they pass a judicial review, but as one who has actually taught civic’s the final say is always with those who vote./
You might want to consider continuing education credit if that’s what you think. The court must be the final arbiter of law, to insulate it from the reactionary passions of the masses. How do you think Southern schools were de-segregated, by majority vote? If the rights of the minority are up to majority vote, guess who loses out? We all do.