Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins is not happy about RNC chairman Michael Steele's comments about abortion. The ultra-conservative Perkins released the following statement in his daily email newsletter The Washington Update:

"The GOP's chairman, Michael Steele, is in hot water again. This time it's over comments about abortion and same-sex marriage he made in an interview with GQ magazine. His comments were cavalier and flippant toward fundamental policy issues on which Republicans have staked out clear positions and enumerated them in their platform. Steele did release a statement this morning clarifying his comments endorsing 'choice' regarding abortion, but he did not address his similar comments regarding same-sex marriage.

"Earlier this week in the midst of a number of meetings with Congressional leaders, I responded to an invitation to meet with Mr. Steele. In the meeting I expressed my concerns regarding previous dismissive comments he has made in various interviews about the efforts to protect marriage from radical redefinition. He said that now that he was chairman his personal views were subordinate to the Republican platform. Imagine my disappointment just 48 hours later when this story landed on my desk.

"This only serves to reinforce the belief by many social conservatives that one major party is unfriendly while the other gives only lip service to core moral issues, which is why many have dropped their affiliation with the GOP. If such a visible Republican leader continues in this same vein I am sure the trend will continue. The prospects of more social conservatives leaving may excite the 'big tenters,' but that will only last until they find the Big Tent is empty."