February 02, 2013 02:09 PM UTC

Republican Evolution: Grassroots Radio Calls for Dave Williams to Bow Out

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• by: ProgressiveCowgirl

In covering Dave Williams this week, I've repeated over and over that the GOP is at a crossroads when it comes to gay rights: Can it still be acceptable in a major political party to refuse to treat gays with even basic human decency? Dave Williams is a convenient avatar for a type of Republican that is dying out, and none too soon. Today, we've got an example of what's arriving in his place: Conservative thinkers who not only invite GBLT Americans into their party, but who will actually stand up for them. 

Grassroots Radio is by no means a moderate show. The hosts are more respectful toward their guests than Rush Limbaugh or Peter Boyles, but they are staunch, hard-right conservatives. On last night's show, Jason Worley called for Dave Williams to step out of the El Paso County GOP chair's race. Most notable was this comment: "If you're going to be the chair, you have to represent gay Republicans." Not only that, but both Jason and Kenneth acknowledged that the booing of Log Cabin Republicans at the 2012 Republican state convention was a shameful, embarrassing moment for Republicans.

From Ryan Call's chiding of booers to the more than 47% of Republican state convention attendees who voted for a resolution favoring civil unions, it's clear that the Republican party is changing, albeit sometimes slowly and painfully. 

Kudos to Grassroots Radio, to the perseverant Log Cabin Republicans, to Ryan Call, and to all those who are working to form a party that has options for the future besides extinction. Maybe someday those of us who remember fondly the Colorado Republicans of yesteryear, statesmen who believed in privacy, dignity, and opportunity, will again find a few candidates to support.