Jonathan Martin: Rep. Boren declines to endorse Obama

June 10, 2008

Rep. Boren declines to endorse Obama

This is not a good sign for Obama:

"We're much more conservative," Boren said of district. "I've got to reflect my district. No one means more to me than the people who elected me. I have to listen them." He called Obama "the most liberal senator in the U.S. Senate."

Yet Boren did say he'd back the Democratic slate in November.

Still, I see at least two problems this creates for the Democratic nominee.

First, it gives McCain and the GOP a handy talking point from a non-Lieberman Dem. "Even some Democratic congressmen..." will surely go the refrain when making the case about Obama's purported liberalism.

Further, Boren's statement will surely prompt reporters to ask most every Blue Dog Democrat who had been holding out or supporting Clinton whether they'll now get behind Obama.

And Boren certainly won't be the last to put on his dancing shoes.

Update on correspondence with Congressman Boren

[See also, the post of June 26, 2008]

I urge you to co-sponsor H.J. RES. 89, the Marriage Protection Amendment (2008), which would make marriage legal only between one man and one woman. Our families and children need this constitutional amendment to protect marriage.

I've written to you previously about this issue and your response was such that I expected to possibly see a change on this link soon. http://capwiz.com/afanet/issues/bills/?bill=11451941&cs_party=all&cs_status=all&cs_state=OK

Thus far, there has been no change. In 2 weeks, I will be involved in an effort that will be bringing this link into the full view of a very large number of Oklahoma voters, including those of the 2nd District. Before doing so, I wanted to make sure that you were made aware of the situation, in case there was either a mistake that needed to be corrected by the American Family Association's Web Master or perhaps, a little more time was needed for you to tie up loose ends. I certainly understand that the pace of our honorable congressmen must be a hectic one and so I wanted to make sure that you had enough time for this to not be an unfair assessment of your position on this issue before the current standing is published for many of your constituents to see and consider.

I look forward to seeing you listed as a co-sponsor of the Marriage Protection Amendment.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing back from you on this important matter.

For your ease of reference, I've included our previous correspondences below my name.

Sincerely,

OKforHuckabee
Tulsa, OK

My e-mail to Rep. Boren and his response.

You can also easily take action to send a letter to any of the Oklahoma Delegation by clicking here. http://capwiz.com/afanet/issues/bills/?bill=11451941&alertid=11451996
This is put together by the American Family Association.


Subject: H.J. RES. 89 - Please Co-Sponsor

The Honorable Representative Boren,

I urge you to co-sponsor H.J. RES. 89, the Marriage Protection Amendment (2008), which would make marriage legal only between one man and one woman. Our families and children need this constitutional amendment to protect marriage. I look forward to seeing you listed as a co-sponsor of the Marriage Protection Amendment.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing back from you on this important matter.

As of this moment, you are the ONLY Oklahoma Congressional Representative who is not on-board, yet. Please make us proud of all of our Oklahoma Representatives by supporting our Oklahoma Values.


Rep. Boren's response:

Thank you for contacting me to voice your strong support for an amendment to the United States Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. I certainly understand your thoughts, and I have been working to protect the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.

I firmly believe that marriage is, and must remain, a consecrated union between a man and a woman. In fact, as a member of the state legislature, I voted for a ballot initiative amending the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. From the beginning of this debate, I have voiced my opposition to gay marriage. In 2006, I joined the other members of the Oklahoma in sending a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert requesting that the full House of Representatives debate this issue. When this legislation is considered in the House of Representatives, you have my commitment that I will continue working to protect the sanctity of marriage.

Again, thank you for sharing with me your support for defending traditional marriage between a man and a woman. If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call on me.

Respectfully Yours,

Dan Boren
Member of Congress



As of this moment, the American Family Association's website continues to reflect that Rep. Boren is not, as of yet, a co-sponsor of this pro-family bill:

Congressional Legislation - Search Results

All Cosponsors and Non-Cosponsors from Oklahoma

Bill Name: Marriage Protection Amendment of 2008 (H.J. RES. 89)

Bill Number: H.J.RES.89

Cosponsor? Cosponsor Name Cosponsor Date Send Mail Oklahoma John Sullivan (R 1st) 06/12/2008 Dan Boren (D 2nd) --- Frank Lucas (R 3rd) 06/10/2008 Tom Cole (R 4th) 06/11/2008 Mary Fallin (R 5th) 05/22/2008