Bachmann to appear at Florida Family Research Council awards dinner
Florida’s influential affiliate of the Family Research Council will be hosting GOP presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., at its annual policy awards dinner. #
The Florida Family Policy Council is a social conservative group that has supported anti-gay and anti-reproductive rights policies in the past. Last year, the group’s policy awards dinner featured Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as a speaker. At that event, the group’s president, John Stemberger, announced that he would be starting a political action committee called Florida Family Action. #
The group also received backing from Rubio for its “Ignite an Enduring Cultural Transformation” campaign. #
“Ignite” aims to raise large amounts of cash for “groups [that] intend to pass anti-gay marriage amendments, curtail abortion rights and, in at least one case, ban ‘transgender bathrooms,’” The American Independent reported. #
According to earlier reporting from the Independent: #
“„Florida Family Policy Council’s Ignite plan, which calls for spending $300,000 to mandate that women view an ultrasound before having an abortion and to “defeat the radical homosexual agenda.” #
The group averaged revenues of $384,000 over the last three years. #
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida loaned his name to theFlorida Family Policy Council president John Stemberger told supporters their plan was meant to stave off victories by “non-religious right friendly legislators.” #
“The people who work to undermine the values you and I share may have suffered a historic defeat in this year’s election, but both you and I know they won’t just go home,” he wrote. “As a matter of fact, they’re already planning how to turn things around in the next election. The ‘Ignite Plan’ that I’m working on right now… is focused on making sure that doesn’t happen.” #
Sen. Rubio wrote in support of the the group’s Ignite plan (.pdf), saying, “FFPC’s successes in education, legislation and accountability have made them an indispensable asset in promoting and defending traditional values.” #
The “Ignite” campaign is featured in the promotions for this year’s awards dinner. #
Bachmann has recently been embroiled in controversy over anti-gay ties. It was revealed that her husband runs a clinic that provides “ex-gay” therapy. #
Tickets for the policy awards dinner are ranging from $75 to $25,000. #
