Key John McCain aide reaches out to gay Republicans

Gay Republican.

We've known some Democrats to deride the term as an oxymoron. But for years now, openly gay Republicans not only have stayed the course in the party, but sought to raise their profile through the Log Cabin organization. And today, that group reveled in a visit from John McCain's campaign manager, Steve Schmidt (below, next to a cutout of his boss).

Schmidt spoke at a luncheon in Minneapolis hosted by Log Cabin and, according to a release quickly sent out by Scott Tucker, its communications director, he said, "I admire your organization."

Other quotes from Schmidt, as related by Tucker: "Keep fighting for what you believe because the day is going to come," and, "We are the party of freedom. We will keep fighting as a party to reach it in full."

Schmidt's interest in the group's efforts may be more than academic; a recent Washington Post profile of him noted that his lone sibling is a lesbian.

Tucker said in his release the luncheon was held to honor the openly gay delegates at the Republican National Convention in neighboring St. Paul. We tracked him down by phone to ask how many that would be among the confab's total of 2,380.

Tucker told us that although the party "doesn't keep those demographics," he estimated the number at about two dozen.

Log Cabin did not actually get around to endorsing McCain until Tuesday (a little shy of seven months after he effectively locked down the presidential nomination). But in its statement of support, the group lavished praise on the Arizona senator ...

... for "bucking his own party’s leadership and the president -- twice voting against" the push for a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

McCain, who believes the gay marriage issue should be left up to each state, "gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor, calling the amendment 'antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans,' " the Log Cabin statement said.

It also applauded McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate, even though she is known as a strong social conservative and that segment of the GOP has enthusiastically embraced her.

Tucker told us, "When it comes to gay issues, she's largely undefined." He added that in her favor, Palin -- unlike some Republicans -- "has never used gay or lesbian people to win an election."

In the one prominent decision on that front that she's made as Alaska's governor, she vetoed a bill that would have blocked the state from providing public employee benefits to same-sex couples. At the time of her action, the Anchorage Daily News reported that although she personally opposed allowing such benefits, she was advised the legislation violated the state's constitution.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[dave]

'keep fighting for what you believe because the day is going to come...we are the party of freedom. we will keep fighting as a party to reach it in full.'
- steve schmidt (neocon propaganda director)

what day?
a party cannot do anything. it's people who do things.
and people who put party above people can never be free, but will always be slaves.
when will the people stop voting for parties, and for interests that are not their own, but wake up instead to take back control of their affairs, and reclaim their country, and their liberties?

'democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.'
- benjamin franklin

[Getting The Run Around]

When are Gay Republicans going to come to the realization that the ONLY time representatives from the GOP take note of them is during Presidential election seasons.

Once the Republicans are elected, they could care less about Gays and their issues.

What has the GOP really done in the last 8 years to promote Gay equality? There is a huge list of what they have done to stop Gay equality, demonizing Gays and ensuring passage of legislature to ensure they are denied the same rights as others.

Gay Republicans are being played by the GOP for the fools they continue to show themselves to be....

[Jerry]

I have been interested in the McCain - Palin ticket, except that now FoxNews reports that Palin's church of 6 years is participating in a 'cure gays' event. This is troublesome for me --its simply not acceptable that a candidate for such an important office hold the view that 1) gays can change and 2) that it is desirable, as this movement states, that they do. If she does not clarify her view on this I cannot support the Republican ticket.

[GirlB]

focus on the family does those everywhere, even boston!

[Raphael]

"Once the Republicans are elected, they could care less about Gays and their issues".

Well, when the demoCRAPS are elected they could care less about gays and their issues too!

I am a former democrat and Clinton supporter who will be voting for McCain

McCain-Palin '08!!!!