D.C. City Councilmember David Catania
quit the GOP this week and switched his party designation to Independent. Catania's relationship with the GOP has been strained since before the GOP Convention:
Catania, 36, who joined the Republican Party when he was 16, said in an interview yesterday that he will change his registration to independent in city voting records. For the past seven years, he has been an at-large member on the D.C. Council, and his change in party affiliation will leave only one Republican on the 13-member body.
"On a personal level, this is extremely painful and difficult, because for many years the members of this party have been like family to me, especially here in the District," he said. "It's a difficult choice but one I feel I have no choice but to make. I will no longer rationalize my association with a political party that has so badly betrayed my values and principles."
The rift began in January when President Bush hinted at his support of a federal ban on same-sex marriage during his State of the Union address. At the time, Catania, who is openly gay, was an enthusiastic backer of Bush. He had raised nearly $80,000 for the president's reelection and was touted on the campaign's Web site as a "Maverick" -- a top fundraiser under the age of 40.
But when Bush in February formally called for a constitutional amendment, Catania, saying the party was seeking to "write discrimination into the U.S. Constitution," asked that his name be removed from the campaign's literature and publicly called for Bush's defeat in November.
In June, local GOP leaders stripped Catania of his spot in the D.C. delegation to the Republican National Convention in New York, prompting him to resign from the local organization. On the eve of the convention, Catania endorsed Democrat John F. Kerry for president. Kerry has said that although he does not support same-sex marriage, he is opposed to a constitutional ban.
Catania said: "I think that John Kerry has the temperament, demeanor and experience to be the best president. Do I believe him to be perfect? Absolutely not. But do I think the risks associated with another Bush administration profound? You bet."
Yeah, it's just the D.C. City Council, but I'm hoping other intelligent conservatives come to terms with the fact that
this ain't your daddy's GOP. How many defections of respected, smart and able leaders will it take for voters to see the GOP for what it truly stands for today? (Full disclosure -- I'm an Independent, and voted for Catania in the last election).
Update [2004-9-30 11:51:14 by teehsu]: Here's [Catania's press release on this subject http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/CATANIA/news/20040929leavesgop.asp]