Republicans Running for President Are Trying To Nullify The Federal Right To Same Sex Marriage

Republicans running for president are now running on the platform of nullification, which is to say, the concept of the desperate pre-and-during the Civil War, as states threatened to nullify federal law so that they could have slaves.

The Civil War ended most nullification efforts, but your 2016 Republicans are bringing it all back, because nothing says modern day Republican like clinging to the justifications for slavery.

Definition per Wiki:

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Nullification, in United States constitutional history, is a legal theory that a state has the right to nullify, or invalidate, any federal law which that state has deemed unconstitutional. The theory of nullification has never been legally upheld by federal courts.

Scott Walker:

Our Founders first amended our Constitution to protect our "First Freedom," the free exercise of religion. -SKW pic.twitter.com/qE8AIc3hqG

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) June 26, 2015

“I believe SCOTUS’ decision is a grave mistake. 5 unelected judges have taken it upon themselves to redefine the institution of marriage.-SKW”:

I believe SCOTUS' decision is a grave mistake. 5 unelected judges have taken it upon themselves to redefine the institution of marriage.-SKW

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) June 26, 2015

Marco Rubio, who has taken to some kind of serialized tweeting style, shared his thoughts over way too many tweets to embed — the basic concept is that he also believes in states rights and he sees marriage as one woman one man (tell that to all of the boys in Congress, Sir– they only get one of either? LOL):

Marco Rubio ‏@marcorubio:

In the years ahead, it is my hope that each side will respect the dignity of the other.
12 retweets 14 favorites
Marco Rubio ‏@marcorubio 40m40 minutes ago

I believe that marriage, as the key to strong family life, is the most important institution in our society…

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush hints mildly at nullification to appease the nutters and ends with a call not to discriminate against Christians (?):

“Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage. I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision. I also believe that we should love our neighbor and respect others, including those making lifetime commitments. In a country as diverse as ours, good people who have opposing views should be able to live side by side. It is now crucial that as a country we protect religious freedom and the right of conscience and also not discriminate.”

These Republicans just called out nullification as a legitimate response to federal laws ordering them not to discriminate in their states. This is an eery reminder of the reaction to the Civil War, in a week in which the Confederate Flag was brought down from government buildings because of its glorification of slavery.

So, the party that used to be all pro law and order is now pro nullification of laws they don’t like. A bizarre but inevitable turn of events for a party spiraling out of control from its Southern Strategy. Naturally the only place to go when one hits the brick wall of inevitability is self-pity, and that is what brings us to conservatives feeling victimized by the idea that other people would get to enjoy the same freedoms they do, and thus might live their lives in a way that conservatives disagree with. They feel “shackled” by this, and so want to break free from the “chains” of the federal government, as if they were the slaves.

Falling back on nullification is the sign of a party that can’t make its case nationally. Republicans have a platform that does not appeal to the entire country, so their response is to rule by state.

Sarah Jones

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