Good afternoon.
I've called this press conference to denounce the hateful remarks made by the prominent Republican activist and right wing radio host, Doug Lambert, on his show this past Saturday.
Some of you may have read what he said, but for those of you who haven't, I have recording that I'll play for you now.
This is not the first time Doug Lambert has made offensive remarks of this nature. As the Laconia Citizen pointed out today, following black comedienne Wanda Sykes' comments at the annual White House Press Corps Dinner in May about former Vice-President Dick Cheney, Lambert wrote, "May she choke on a chicken bone or a watermelon rind. What ever gets the job done?"
While some Republican candidates and public officials have denounced Lambert's offensive remarks, the silence from John H. Sununu, Chairman of the State Republican Party, on these hateful slurs is deafening.
But his silence comes as no surprise. Over the past few months, he has crisscrossed the state using rhetoric not dissimilar from the hateful things Lambert said on his show.
Although he has not used the specific slur mouthed by Lambert, John H. Sununu has continually railed against gay and lesbian families. He has described marriage equality as garbage, called on Governor Lynch to "veto the garbage," and accused Democrats of trying to impose a San Francisco agenda on NH dozens of times.
Make no mistake, Sununu's repeated claims that equal rights for everyone would ruin NH is just coded language.
And the sentiment he seeks to foster is no different from the politics of hate and fear expressed by Lambert on his show this past Saturday.
As a frequent guest on Lambert's show, Sununu should denounce his despicable comments, pledge never to go on the show, and vow never again to use the issue of equal rights as a weapon to gain political advantage.
Additionally, the Belknap County Republican website, which is run by Doug Lambert, should post a statement denouncing his comments and remove him from his position of authority. And the radio show WEMJ, which hosts Lambert's "Meet the New Press" radio show, should remove him from the air immediately.
I also want to make it clear that this press conference, and the actions we demand, are not about any one person. This is about a greater culture that has been created by John H. Sununu at the New Hampshire Republican Party. He has sought to marginalize the gay and lesbian community over the past several months by using hurtful rhetoric, and should stand against such discrimination.
A failure to respond by Sununu, the Belknap County Republicans, and WEMJ would speak volumes.
New Hampshire has a long tradition of rejecting discrimination and promoting equality. The libertarian streak in our state lends itself to freedom, and not hate.
This type of behavior should be discouraged by all political persuasions-a simple apology is not enough.
