Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) isn’t taking any chances with his re-election, attacking all of his potential opponents as they fight each other in the GOP primary. But he’s saving his harshest line for his likely rival, Daniel Webster — or, as Grayson calls him, “Taliban Dan.” Why? Because in 1990, Webster sponsored and supported legislation in Florida that would have made it much more difficult for people to divorce — a policy called “covenant marriage.”
In a letter to supporters, Grayson described it like this: “Dan Webster’s bill reduces the institution of marriage to a roach motel: You can check in, but you can’t check out.”
Grayson added:
With one exception: adultery. So, let’s say that your husband, God forbid, has been abusing you. And you need a divorce. You have only one option. According to Dan Webster’s law, you would need to deliberately commit infidelity in order to get a divorce.Ah, but here’s the catch. Under Dan Webster’s law, if both parties cheat on each other, then they can’t get a divorce. Ever. They’re locked in holy matrimony, forever. Like two scorpions in a bottle. So if you cheat on him to get away from him, and it turns out that he’s cheated on you, well then … .
A call to Webster’s staff was not immediately returned.
Liberals do often criticize conservatives for claiming that same marriage will ruin the institution of heterosexual marriage while ignoring the multiple-divorce culture in which we live. Webster’s position is, at least, consistently draconian.
Incidentally, Webster has won the endorsement of former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who supports covenant marriage so much that he’s actually involved in one.
You can read the entire letter below.
Dear Matt,My opponent Dan Webster — endorsed in the primary by the Orlando Sentinel and by Jeb Bush — may not have a clue on what to do about joblessness, homelessness, expensive healthcare, no money for schools or endless war. But he does know what to do about divorce.
Ban it.
In the Florida Legislature, Dan Webster sponsored and supported a bill to institute “covenant marriage.” In a covenant marriage, you can’t get divorced.
So Dan Webster’s bill reduces the institution of marriage to a roach motel: You can check in, but you can’t check out.
With one exception: adultery. So, let’s say that your husband, God forbid, has been abusing you. And you need a divorce. You have only one option. According to Dan Webster’s law, you would need to deliberately commit infidelity in order to get a divorce.
Ah, but here’s the catch. Under Dan Webster’s law, if both parties cheat on each other, then they can’tget a divorce. Ever. They’re locked in holy matrimony, forever. Like two scorpions in a bottle. So if you cheat on him to get away from him, and it turns out that he’s cheated on you, well then … .
How can someone with such bizarre views even THINK about running for Congress, and making laws that would apply nationwide? Please contribute $25 or more now at CongressmanWithGuts.com toward my Money Bomb, and help me stop Daniel Webster.
There is only one place where in the entire world where both divorce and annulment are forbidden: TheTaliban Government in Northwest Pakistan. And Taliban Dan wants to institute the same rule here. The man with the 19th century name wants to pass 13th century laws, which you and I will have to live by.
Stop Daniel Webster’s “covenant marriage” scheme. Please donate $25 or more now at CongressmanWithGuts.com.
Dan Webster is not some fringe candidate. He was Speaker of the Florida House. He was Majority Leader of the Florida Senate. He was in the State Legislature for 28 years. And, as stated above, our daily newspaper and former Governor Jeb Bush have endorsed him in the primary.
We’re in a real fight. Will you help?
Can you donate $25 or more now at CongressmanWithGuts.com to make sure that in 2011, I’m in Congress, not Dan Webster?
Truth,
Alan Grayson
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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