Even though the Democratic National Committee has added a support of  same-sex marriage plank to their 2012 political platform, some Democratic candidates up for election this year are still pandering to their extremist religious right base and denying support and/or proving that they themselves are Democrat bigots.

One such Democrat is Utah’s gubernatorial candidate Peter Cooke who launched a pre-emptive strike Monday, distancing himself from his party’s national platform, declaring his opposition to gay marriage, civil unions and abortion and vowing to represent “Utah values.”  (Mormon)

“To me gay marriage is part of my religious belief and I support that and I respect other religious beliefs and I support and love those who are in the gay community,” Cooke said. “I think what needs to be done in Utah is for us to all live together, be compassionate. That’s what the Democratic Party is showing.”

Cooke a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has actively opposed same-sex unions in California and elsewhere said his opposition to gay marriage stems from his faith said he opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother — the same position as the LDS church.

The question now is how will the Democratic National Committee respond to Cooke?  Will they withhold election funds?  Not back him?  Chastise him?  Or do nothing, which will prove that the same-sex-marriage plank is actually meaningless if Democratic candidates can ignore it and do what they please and still get the DNC’s backing and support.

Regardless of his party affiliation Peter Cooke has declared that LDS doctrine will define his political decision and has placed religion above the Constitution.

The DNC should hold back ALL support for him running for office as a Democrat.