06/24/2005
Hernandez Not So Proud of His Partner
President Bush has nominated Israel Hernandez, an openly gay man, as assistant secretary of commerce. Hernandez was formerly Karl Rove's right hand man and waited till Bush was sworn in for a second term before telling the President that he is gay, Rush & Molloy report today.
But, they're asking, since Bush officially knows he's gay and Hernandez has brought his partner to several events, why was any mention of that partner absent at his appearance before the Senate Commerce committee yesterday where Hernandez acknowledged his mother, father, and sister?
"You know, if he were married to a woman and she was there, he would specifically mention her," said the gay Republican watchdog, BlogActive's Mike Rogers. "Why are people like Izzy Hernandez pushing their spouses and loved ones into the closet when so many have gone before him and stood openly and proudly? This is typical of the Bush administration and its anti-gay, anti-safe-sex agenda."
As Rogers says on his blog, he's dismayed but not surprised. I don't think anybody's surprised.
But I'm sure that Mary Cheney's happy that she has someone with whom to share that lonely back room.
Out of the Closet and into sub-Cabinet? [rush & molloy]
Remember
Cheney: MAry's Not Your Tool, She's Mine [tr]
Posted 10:47 AM EST by Andy Towle in Current Affairs | Permalink
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Rove's right-hand man? THE homophobic hatchetman, THE architect of Bush's political fag bashing all the way back to the defeat of Ann Richards in Texas by suggesting she might be gay? THAT Karl Rove? FUCKING MINDBOGGLING. That's worse than the closeted head of the GOP. And, at least Mary Card Carrying Cunt Cheney has a microscopic thread of excuse in that she is the biological spawn of two fascist parents willing to short sheet their own daughter's civil liberties and dignity. Hernandez is the new poster boy for Queer Quislings everywhere. A plague on all their houses.
Posted by: Leland | Jun 24, 2005 12:15:45 PM
I was thinking of a diplomatic comment but in reality Leland pretty much sums it up. Career a before honesty.
He has been with Bush since 94 and Bush never knew he was gay. What kind of life is that to lead? ugh!
Posted by: Donald | Jun 24, 2005 12:58:48 PM
Do we know that it was the Bushies that kept him away? Or, did Mr. Hernandez' partner want it that way? Since I have no personal knowledge of whom the (un)lucky guy is, how can I judge? For all I know, he may be a serving military officer. Should he "out" himself and end his career under DADT? Or be a private position where being outed by his partner would damage is career?
You may knew the answer, but in this day-and-age in DC...I'm not pre-judging this one.
Posted by: Ted B. | Jun 24, 2005 1:11:06 PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Karl Rove, the evil architect of sanctioned homophobia in this country is GAY. EVERYONE who seems to work around him is GAY. Jeff Gannon, now Israel Hernandez and I'm sure the list goes on and on. According to the PBS Frontline Special about Karl Rove, "The Architect," Rove has NEVER dated a girl and has no discernible social life and he's over 50, sound familiar to anyone? The ugliest part of this sad story is the self-loathing and bigoted nature of what these men are doing to our community. I agree, a pox on all of their houses.
Posted by: Robert | Jun 24, 2005 2:34:32 PM
The homophobic President nominates an openly gay man to the number two post in Commerce and this is the best you guys can come up with? You guys clearly didn't read the article. He's been bringing his partner to functions for years, he just had never had a formal conversation with the President about it. Bush knew. Bush and his wife have been hanging with the gays in Austin since he was elected governor.
You guys just don't get it. The President doesn't care. Mehlman's elevation to the GOP chair proves it. Do you really think Bush doesn't know Mehlman's gay? Mary Cheney's partner standing on the victory podium in '04 proves it, but you just have to have an enemy to hate.
Instead of obsessing about the "plot" to keep his partner away from the confirmation hearing, which is just ridiculous speculation, explain to me why the homophobes would nominate the man instead of sending him away to a death camp?
I'll say it again. This is the most diverse administration in the history of the Presidency, including Clinton and all the ranting and raving in the world isn't going to change the fact that it's true.
This is the best Mike Rogers could come up with? Pathetic.
Posted by: Mitch | Jun 24, 2005 6:54:12 PM
formerly Karl Rove's right hand man
*ahem*
Interesting choice of words. I wonder what he was doing with the left hand.
Posted by: TheBrad | Jun 24, 2005 7:07:25 PM
Good one, Brad. And right on Mitch. Nothing any Republican could do or say that might benefit gays (did someone say "private accounts") will ever knock the chip off the shoulder of the hordes of bitter homos out there. I'm not a big Bush fan (like Clinton and Bush 41 before him, he's got one finger in the wind and one thumb up his ass) but complaining that Hernandez didn't mention his partner at his Senate hearing is nit-picking in the extreme. I don't recall Donna Shalala parading her lesbian lover in front of Congress, which is surprising because usually Democrats like to slap a big pink triangle shaped label on their homosexual friends to show how compassionate they are. That's right before they do somthing like...oh I don't know...sign Don't Ask, Don't Tell or The Defense of Marriage Act into law.
It's time to get wise everyone. We're being screwed by both sides and not in a good way.
Posted by: Draybee | Jun 24, 2005 8:56:47 PM
And BoifromTroy has an excellent point. I thought BlogActive's Mike Rogers was all about exposing the hypocrisy of closeted gay men advancing publicy policy which harmed gays. Mr. Hernandez clearly isn't closeted and in fact is being promoted even after coming out.
Posted by: Mitch | Jun 25, 2005 1:59:09 PM
Mitch: If the President "doesn't care" then why the hell is he trying to simultaneously rape the Constitution and gays? You cock-juggling, self-deluding, GOPer shit-eating Kapo fool. Fuck you--and not in that good way, though I'm sure you could pay Herr Gannon to, if you haven't already. Who needs enemies when we have enemas like you?
Posted by: Leland | Jun 27, 2005 4:14:29 PM
Thanks so much for the personal attack Leland and for not responding to my point. Again, why would an anti-gay President promote a man to the number two position in Commerce AFTER he's come out?
Posted by: Mitch | Jun 27, 2005 8:16:49 PM
Mitch, I honestly don't believe Bush is trying to help in anyway; well, except help himself. Surrounding himself with homosexuals isn't a sign of liberalism or even nobility. *Even Hitler and his minions surrounded themselves with beautiful homosexuals while buring the other gay men and women in concentration camps or *o you not believe in concentration camps?
It's all for show, nothing more, nothing less. Maybe his administration isn't stupid enough to turn away someone as *qualified as Hernandez. Maybe Bush is trying to protect his legacy so the future liberalized children of America can look back at this despot and say
"maybe he wasn't so bad after all, I mean, even though he tried to write a discriminatory law against homosexuals into the constitution, he never did care if there was a gay person working for him."
Unfortunately I don't believe our future children will be so stupid. Neither am I stupid enough to merely sympathize with Bush despite his great efforts to put on a show.
*'s
1. Yes, I was comparing him to Hitler.
2. Yes, I was critizing you.
*3. Yes, I bet Hernandez didn't have a reason for hiding his sexuality until the second term.
*
1. Sacasm.
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Posted by: yimga duplex | May 25, 2006 5:18:52 AM