Opposing Viewpoints: GOP extremism will sink the party’s chances

No American wants their child “to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option. It’s not,” said Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate running in New York’s governor’s race.

In an effort to overthrow the liberal ideologies that have taken root in Washington, the GOP has elected its most conservative candidates as oppositional forces to Obama’s administration.

With the lack of moderate voices, the intensity of this election can be felt around the nation, particularly in the gubernatorial races. The ultraconservative candidates nominated by the GOP do not reflect the voices of any majority, but are gaining support solely because they counter Obama’s ideals.

Paladino’s spokesmen claim his views on homosexuality are identical to those of the Catholic Church. His opponent, democrat Andrew Cuomo, responded saying Paladino displays a “stunning homophobia and a glaring disregard for basic equality.”

Paladino is attempting to convey his image as the moral man in an immoral world. Earlier this week he stated, “We must stop pandering to the pornographers and the perverts, who seek to target our children and destroy their lives.”

Ironically, on Oct. 14, 2010, e-mails leaked from Paladino’s account involving naked women in revealing positions. This is not the first time the Republican candidate has been criticized for sending indecent e-mails.

According to the Huffington Post, earlier this year, he was accused of sending e-mails titled “Obama’s Inaugural Rehearsal,” which contained a video of African tribesman dancing. This man blatantly lacks any qualifications for governorship, and ideas of equality and moral decency clearly elude him.

Not only has the GOP spewed radical ideals, but also scandals have plagued most of these races.

In Alabama, Democrat Rob Sparks and Republican Robert Bentley are entangled in a vicious feud over gambling legislation.

According to the Dallas Morning News, “The Justice Department unveiled an indictment accusing the owner of Alabama’s largest casino, four state senators and several lobbyists of a scheme to buy and sell votes in the Legislature. One defendant has pleaded guilty to offering a senator $2 million to vote for a bill to keep the bingo machines operating.”

Now, Rob Sparks is accusing Republican Robert Bentley of accepting campaign contributions from gambling interests. Sparks’ slogan is now, “If he won’t tell the truth as a candidate, why would you think he will tell the truth as governor?”

California’s gubernatorial election has been nothing short of controversial as well. Republican Meg Whitman is rapidly losing support from California’s Latino community because her housemaid was an undocumented immigrant.

An AP exit poll claims that in 2008, the Latino community represented 19 percent of California’s electorate.

In their final debate, moderator Tom Brokaw asked Whitman “if you couldn’t find someone in your home undocumented or illegal, how do you expect businesses to do that?”

The condition of our nation, as well as the ultraconservative ideologies attacking Obama’s administration has intensified this gubernatorial election. Scandals and controversies will definitely hinder the GOP’s chances of taking Washington.