JEFFERSON CITY - In an article more suited for the funny pages than the news section of its paper, the Kansas City Star published an article this weekend on a new left-wing group the headline said, ?claims moral values are on its side.? (Kansas City Star, ?New Democratic group claims moral values are on its side,? July 9, 2005).

In laughing contrast to its supposed purpose the group?s membership roster reads like a who?s who of pro-abortion extremists, pro-gay, transgender ?lifestyles? and tax increase advocates. Among the more shocking names on the list was that of State Sen. Chuck Graham who was the only Senator to vote against an anti-porn bill that according to the Columbia Daily Tribune would ?allow the closure of sexually oriented businesses that allow patrons to have sex on the premises.? (Columbia Daily Tribune, ?Graham is wary of porn bill?, May 12, 2005).

?My first reaction upon learning that Sen. Graham had joined a group purportedly involved with values was to call the police and report an identity theft,? said Missouri Republican Party Executive Director John Hancock. ?I was relieved to learn that the name quoted in the paper was the real Chuck Graham and not someone maliciously trying to steal his record so treasured by groups like PROMO and NARAL.?

Graham was quoted in the Star article as saying ??I?ve never been invited to a gay wedding.? While this statement may be accurate he was given a 100 percent rating in 2004, the year Missouri voters overwhelming banned gay marriage, by PROMO whose website says its mission ?is to advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality?.we identify LGBT rights supporters, educate them on this issues, give them the tools and confidence to participate in the political process, and get results.? www.promoonline.org/missionStatement.html.

When the Missouri General Assembly voted to place the gay marriage amendment before Missouri voters, Graham called the effort a ?mean spirited, divisive attempt to change the constitution for political purposes.? (Columbia Daily Tribune ?House Oks referendum on marriage amendment,? April 1, 2004).

?With an attitude like this it?s easy to see why Chuck Graham backed down from running against Jim Talent choosing instead to lament with Jeff Harris on their combined failure to impose a tax increase on Missourians,? Hancock said. ?These condescending comments and obsession with growing government and snubbing traditional American values has become the status quo for the party of Howard Dean and explain why the Missouri Democrat Party has suffered defeat after embarrassing defeat in recent elections.?

Like Rep. Harris, Sen. Graham?s record and positions on the issues has never been fully examined by the media for some strange reason. Both have been able to get by with saying they want to ?close loopholes? to address Missouri?s budget challenge seemingly without being asked which ?loopholes? they want to close or to affirm the fact that doing so is in effect raising taxes.