CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
– POLITICS
Sept. 2, 2008 – 4:24 p.m.
Gay Republicans Endorse McCain-Palin Ticket
By Bart Jansen, CQ Staff
Log Cabin Republicans, a group representing gay Republicans, endorsed Arizona Sen. John McCain ’s presidential bid today as the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., hits its full stride. The group’s board voted by 12-2 to support the ticket led by McCain and his choice for vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin .
Patrick Sammon, the president of the Log Cabin Republicans, said the most important reason for the group’s support was McCain’s opposition twice in the last decade to a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. McCain has consistently stated his personal opposition to same-sex marriage. But he has described the effort to implement a national ban through constitutional amendment, rather than leaving the matter up to states to decide, as “antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans.”
Mike DuHaime, McCain’s deputy campaign manager, welcomed the endorsement, stating, “It’s very helpful. He’s running an inclusive campaign.”
Sammon praised McCain “as focusing the GOP on unifying core principles that appeal to independent voters,” He added his opinion that McCain “paid a political price for his vote,” a reference to the skepticism that McCain has had to overcome among some of the social conservatives, who make up a substantial portion of the Republican base as he has sought to unify the party’s base.
McCain’s position is, in fact, at odds with the party’s platform adopted Monday, which calls for a constitutional amendment barring gay marriage. “To be honest, the platform was not the hill we were going to die on,” said Scott Tucker, a spokesman for the Log Cabin Republicans. “We wanted to be here and participate in the conversation.”
The presidential bid by McCain was hailed by a fellow Arizona Republican, former Rep. Jim Kolbe, who was in the House from 1985 and 2007 and in 1996 became the first and still only Republican to serve as openly gay. Kolbe received a standing ovation at the group’s luncheon, held at the University Club in St. Paul.
“Don’t worry, there are others there,” Kolbe said of gays in the House. “We just need to make them feel more comfortable.”
Kolbe described confiding his sexual orientation years ago to McCain, who he said cut him off and held up his hands. “None of that makes any difference,” Kolbe quoted McCain as saying. “You were my friend yesterday and you’ll be my friend tomorrow.”
There are about 100 Log Cabin Republicans attending the convention — a showing group officials say is their largest ever — including about two dozen delegates and alternates, Tucker said. The party doesn’t survey the sexual orientation of delegates, so there is no official tally of gay delegates.
The group endorsed George W. Bush during his first bid for president in 2000, but declined to back him for re-election in 2004 because of his support for efforts to institute a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
In addition to supporting McCain, the group cited Palin’s veto, as Alaska governor, of a state bill aimed at denying health benefits to same-sex partners of state employees, Tucker said.
“The consensus among our members is strongly in favor of an endorsement because of his inclusive record,” Pete Kingma, the group’s board chairman, said of McCain. “Our members also support him because he’s a maverick, a trait most recently on display with his decision to select Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.”
Palin holds strongly conservative views on social issues, a number of news reports, as well as a number of activists on either side of the gay rights issue, say Palin has told people she supported the content of the measure to deny same-sex partner benefits but issued the veto at the advice of the state’s attorney general’s office that the bill violated the state’s constitution. But Log Cabin spokesman Tucker said the veto “benefitted the community.”
Comments
I am speechless! Gay people supporting the very people who would deny them the ability to visit a partner in a hospital! How could you?
You forgot about Steve Gunderson from Wisconsin's 3rd District--he was also a Gay Republican. He served from 1981 to 1996
Uncle Tom's Cabin Club strikes again. Do these people have ANY pride? Or will they keep on supporting candidates who OPPOSE GAY RIGHTS? Let's be clear here. McCain opposes any law that would prohibit descrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. He opposes ANY legal recognition or benefits for gay couples. He supports ammending STATE constitutions to prohibit gay marriage. And Palin is even more anti-gay than McCain is. Yet, Log Cabin Club has endorsed him. Perhaps that's why they can only get 100 people (out of tens of millions of gay Americans) at their national convention? Most of the rest of the gay people with that level of pathetic self-hatred are still in the closet. Perhaps that's why no one takes the group seriously.
Honestly, as a gay man, who cares what the Log Cabin Republicans think? The notion that this group would support a Party that put anti-gay marriage referendums on state ballots during a presidential election to bring out the bigoted vote, completely diminishes their credibility. Get some self esteem guys (and gals). We deserve better than that.
I'm a gay man and I'm ashamed at teh Log Cabin Republicans! These idiots place ideology over reality, voting for McCain for tax reasons over civil rights. These people are pariah in their own community b/c most gays and lesbians see them as turncoats that hurt our cause of equality by supporting and lending credence of moderation to an otherwise extreme ticket! Disgusting!
WOW! You really must be full of self lothing and shame to be gay and support in anyway the McCain-Palin ticket. The only remorely gay isses McCain ever voted for was to oppose the federal Marriage Admendment. Palin is far worse and way to the right of even Bush! Nothing like sending moneyand supprt to yor sworn enemies! Talk is worth something, but really, money and your vote. Wake up! Support Obama to end dont ask dont tell, and brign us closer to equality!
A gay Republican is similar to a Jewish member of the NAZI party or a black member of the KKK. Particularly in view of the very close involvement of the Republican leadership with the homophobic agenda of the religious right, any LGBT person supporting them needs a serious relationship with a shrink
I can only describe a group like Log Cabin that endorses anti-gay canddiates as an anti-gay group. All Log Cabin really seems to care about is throwing people off welfare and protecting big business. If they say they care about budget deficits and a strong national defense they certainly didn't get that out of their 2000 endorsee, George Bush , who has wrecked the economy and weakened our defenses with his misadventure in Iraq. They are a shameful group of mostly white males who should be ignored.
Why would anyone be at all surprised? The "Log Cabin Republicans" have been putting the forward attempts of the Human Rights Campaign behind their Agenda of continuing the struggles in Iraq and Afghanistan until McCain achieves a self defined "Win", continued dissolution of the "middle class", the continued strict religious conservatism policies, enforced by the nomination of Sarah Palin that has been one of the root causes of the bullying, continued harassment and deaths of our brother's and sisters. This is an organization an educated and caring GLBT individual would support neither financially or its policies.
All gay brothers and sisters should be working together in this moment in time. It makes me sad, knowing we are all not.
I am a Republican, but in name only. I have voted democratic for the last three election cycles. I remain republican so that I can say "as a republican, we need to [insert about everything democratic]." I would never join the Log Cabin republicans. But, I suppose this group of 15 or 20 preppy wannabies doesn't have any influence anyway.
I agree with the poster above. I am a straight woman, but am incessed that you could in any way support a ticket like this. The news today about Sarah Palin reports that her church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer. Can you still support this dark age choice of McCain's? Back to square one if this vile team is elected.
You've got to be kidding! As a former plaintiff in the same-sex marriage case in NJ, I am ashamed of each and every Log Cabin Republican. There are those of us out here who are fighting for equal rights and wouldn't think to praise a platform that denies us basic protections. The only explanation for this self-loathing is internalized homophobia. There are mounds of evidence that McCain and Palin are anti-gay, so to say that their ticket is "Inclusive" is delusional.
How interesting that you all forget that is was CLINTON who signed the Defense of Marriage Act and implemented Don't Ask Don't Tell. While it is true that Palin's views are extreme, overall the Republican ticket is the better one. Obama, like Clinton, is full of promises, but if he were to win, he would most probably not keep them. Just look at who he chose for his VP candidate--a white male! There are those that need to fight for change from the outside, and those that are fighting for change from the inside. Why should we vote for a party with whom we disagree on every issue except gay rights? All we can do is work towards knocking some sense into Palin and the other homophobes.Instead of being endlessly critical, why not praise those who have made great strides in the Republican party? After all, 50% of Americans are Republican and just ignoring that fact will truly bring us into the dark ages. Standing up and fighting for our rights within our party makes much more sense.
Are you all idiots? The term gay Republican remains an oxymoron. Sarah Palin not only supported the 1998 Alaska constitutional amendment banning marriage equality but, in her less than two years as governor, even expressed the extreme position of supporting stripping away domestic partner benefits for state workers.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT SELF-LOATHING. THIS IS ABOUT ISSUES. THE ISSUES THAT GOP GAYS CARE ABOUT. THE HOPES THEY HAVE FOR THE FUTURE OF THEIR LIVES AS GAY AMERICANS. WHICH MEANS THAT THEY ARE NOT HOPING FOR THE SAME THING AS I, WHICH IS FINE WITH ME. IN A POST-GAY MOVEMENT WORLD, THESE ARE THE DOGS OF OPPORTUNITY, LET THEM EAT DOG FOOD THAT'S ALL THEY WILL GET WHEN THEY LOOK BACK ON THEIR LIVES AS OLD MEN AND WOMEN. BY THAT TIME THERE WILL BE MORE OR LESS EQUAL RIGHTS AND THEY WILL KNOW THAT THEY STOOD WITH THE PEOPLE WHO HAD HISTORY AGAINST THEM.
PATHETIC
I am appalled that the gay community would vote for the most unqualified candidate EVER just for gay issues. What good is marrying your partner if your country is being destroyed by a clown that hasn't even done anything with the job he has. He hasn't done ANYTHING as senator and now he wants the presidency?!!!!! There's more to this than just one issue. NO-BAMA!
Maddy Muffin-You don't put things in any historical context so your remarks are specious to say the least. I bet you did not even do your homework about Mrs. Palin's church. If you did, you would eat your words. But you are likely another clueless Republican.
Elizabeth Connor. You must not have done any homework but Republicans never do. And you also might check out Mrs. Palin's church, dear. Maybe you can go there and get converted and then be an ingnorant, hetereosexual Republican? I bet you are white too and likely rich and you were just looking for this Palin opportunity so you could not vote for the black guy, right? A gay Republican is like ...well, there is nothing like it but go get some therapy so you might have some self respect.
Dear All, I just wanted to say that I am a Gay Republican. I do not feel that these two contradict in any way, shape or form. To be a Republican is to be someone that believes in less government, equal rights, taxation for only items that benefit all (ie. defense, roads, etc.). I believe that we all live in an entitlement era where apparently everyone believes they are deserving of free healthcare, welfare (of the form that we have now that is entirely out of control), etc. Republicans are based on the Rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. As a Republican and a Gay man I will make that life for myself where my pursuit of happiness will not be deterred because of other's beliefs. We live in a free country. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. I decided long ago when I admitted to myself that I was gay that i would not make that the calling card to who I am. There is much more to me than a Gay man. Therefore, there is much more to this country than this one issue. Please look into the candidates history and voting record to truly decide on every issue with whom you have more in common with. Do not think you will find a party where you will agree with everyone. If you do, don't join it. You will probably end up ruining it. There is no such thing as perfection. In this life anyways.
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