Republicans’ RFRA Risk
April 1, 2015 - by
Governor McCrory and Speaker Tim Moore have two big reasons to worry about the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” (aka, the “Freedom to Discriminate Against Gays Act”): business and politics.
It’s bad business for North Carolina. And bad politics for McCrory, Senator Burr and House Republicans.
Business first. Indiana shows how such a law can hurt a state’s brand and scare away business. Commerce Secretary John Skvarla vetches about not having incentive money. This could make his incentives moot.
Then there’s politics. Republican strategists are worrying, and they should, over how much political money could flood into North Carolina against their candidates because of the law. If they think they saw a lot of independent money flow in last year against Thom Tillis, wait until they see how much money this issue attracts.
That could cost Burr and McCrory reelection. It could also take out House Republicans in Wake County like Nelson Dollar, Marilyn Avila and Gary Pendleton.
Philosophically, this is a classic American debate. It pits two of our strongest impulses: on one hand, to respect every individual’s sincere religious beliefs and, on the other hand, to knock down all forms of discrimination against any individual.
But forget philosophy. This is politics. For Republicans, it’s Business Republicans against Church Republicans.
Democrats may hate the legislation. But they can love watching Republicans fight over it – and lose over it.
Posted in General, North Carolina - Republicans
Republicans’ RFRA Risk
April 1, 2015/
Governor McCrory and Speaker Tim Moore have two big reasons to worry about the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” (aka, the “Freedom to Discriminate Against Gays Act”): business and politics.
It’s bad business for North Carolina. And bad politics for McCrory, Senator Burr and House Republicans.
Business first. Indiana shows how such a law can hurt a state’s brand and scare away business. Commerce Secretary John Skvarla vetches about not having incentive money. This could make his incentives moot.
Then there’s politics. Republican strategists are worrying, and they should, over how much political money could flood into North Carolina against their candidates because of the law. If they think they saw a lot of independent money flow in last year against Thom Tillis, wait until they see how much money this issue attracts.
That could cost Burr and McCrory reelection. It could also take out House Republicans in Wake County like Nelson Dollar, Marilyn Avila and Gary Pendleton.
Philosophically, this is a classic American debate. It pits two of our strongest impulses: on one hand, to respect every individual’s sincere religious beliefs and, on the other hand, to knock down all forms of discrimination against any individual.
But forget philosophy. This is politics. For Republicans, it’s Business Republicans against Church Republicans.
Democrats may hate the legislation. But they can love watching Republicans fight over it – and lose over it.
Posted in General, North Carolina - Republicans