09/02/2008
Log Cabin Republicans Endorse 'Maverick' John McCain for President
The Log Cabin Republicans endorsed John McCain for president today following a 12-2 vote by the group's national board of directors, Roll Call reports:
"The Log Cabin Republicans, the leading group of gay Republicans, is announcing today that it is endorsing presumptive GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.). The nod is significant not just because it allows the party a semblance of unity between its socially conservative and moderate wings but also because Log Cabin is announcing its decision earlier than it has in any recent presidential election...Four years ago, the group made its non-endorsement by the end of September. In 2000 and 1996, the group endorsed Bush and former Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.), respectively, after the GOP conventions. Today marks Log Cabin’s 'Big Tent' party in St. Paul, Minn., one of several events the group is hosting this week."
One has to wonder who exactly might be under that tent given the RNC platform.
UPDATE: Here's a shot of the LCR 'Big Tent' event taken by Dan Savage. Plenty of empty seats.
This is a candidate who doesn't even know what the acronym LGBT stands for. He also doesn't believe gays are fit to adopt children, supports a ban on gays in the military, is worried if his clothing looks too gay, isn't sure if condoms stop the spread of HIV, thinks same-sex marriage ceremonies are okay as long as they're just pretend, and has promised right-wing religious groups that he'll start speaking out more vocally against LGBT causes.
Said LCR President Patrick Sammon in a press release: "On the most important issue that LGBT Americans faced in the last decade—the federal marriage amendment—Sen. John McCain stood with us. Now we stand with him. Sen. McCain is an inclusive Republican who is focusing the GOP on unifying core principles that appeal to independent voters. Sen. McCain showed courage by bucking his own party’s leadership and the president—twice voting against the amendment. He gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor, calling the amendment 'antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans.' He paid a political price for his vote...In recent years, too many Republican politicians have used divisive social issues in an effort to win elections. Sen. McCain is a different kind of Republican..."
Patrick Sammon statement CONTINUED...
"...He understands the GOP lost its majority in Congress in 2006 largely because the Party focused on divisive social issues. Sen. McCain knows the politics of fear and division will damage our Party and our nation so he’s focusing the GOP on unifying core principles such as limited government, fiscal responsibility, and a strong national defense. We have honest disagreements with Sen. McCain on a number of gay rights issues. Log Cabin will continue our conversation with him and other Republican leaders about issues affecting gay and lesbian Americans. We will speak out when there’s disagreement—either during the upcoming campaign or when John McCain is President...Sen. McCain has always shown a willingness to reach out and engage in dialogue with Log Cabin, while considering all sides of an issue. We know that will continue when he is President. Progress in the fight for LGBT equality requires support from both Republicans and Democrats. Log Cabin’s endorsement of Sen. McCain will ensure our community has a strong voice making the case for gay rights to John McCain when he is President...I expect Sen. McCain will receive strong support from gay and lesbian Americans. LGBT people are not single-issue voters. Gay rights issues are a critical part of the equation, but so are many other issues impacting our daily lives—foreign policy, the economy, jobs, energy policy, health care reform, and taxes. Gay and lesbian Republicans believe Sen. John McCain is the most qualified person to lead our country."
Said Log Cabin Board Chairman Pete Kingma: "Log Cabin Republicans is a grassroots organization and our membership overwhelmingly supports endorsing Sen. McCain. Our board and staff members have spent recent months getting input and feedback from our members. The consensus among our members is strongly in favor of an endorsement because of his inclusive record. 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."
In June, it was reported that McCain had been holding 'secret meetings' with the group.
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 2:55 PM EST by Andy in John McCain, Log Cabin Republicans, News, Republican Party | Permalink
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Meanwhile, a flock of chickens announced they'll be eating dinner tonight at KFC.
Posted by: crispy | Sep 2, 2008 3:07:33 PM
Not surprising... yet still I would have hoped there would be a higher standard.
Posted by: Daspion | Sep 2, 2008 3:08:44 PM
Just to be clear, the Log Cabin organization exists basically to get its members jobs in high-priced lobbying firms. This is on par with many other so-called "advocacy groups". These endorsements are fig leafs.
Posted by: anon | Sep 2, 2008 3:20:59 PM
What a bunch of self-loathing M*****f*ckers. Un-f ing-believable.
Fortunately their aren't enough of them to really make a difference.
It reminds me of high school when you try to fit in with the "cool crowd" and they just don't want to be seen with you. But the certainly will ask you for help with homework when they need it and promise you that they will let you into their clique and then they don't. If anything they go out of their way to embarrass you. (oh wait uh, I think I said too much. Uh never-mind)
Forget what I said
You go girls! You Log Cabin Republicans you!!!
Posted by: K | Sep 2, 2008 3:26:04 PM
Denial isn't just a river in Egypt.
Posted by: Alex Parrish | Sep 2, 2008 3:26:23 PM
Well, the McCain they describe sounds a lot more with it than one we're dealing with these days.
Posted by: Yeek | Sep 2, 2008 3:28:38 PM
I hope the above comment on members really being hopefuls for lobbying groups is true. Because if they truly believed what they were saying, I'm concerned for their self-esteem.
Posted by: Rodney | Sep 2, 2008 3:29:54 PM
Patrick Sammon is an ASS! A TRAITOR to ALL LGBT peoples of America/as well as free thinking Americans!
Posted by: Disgusted American | Sep 2, 2008 3:31:08 PM
If only there was a party that was socially tolerant and in favor of economic freedom. Oh well.
Posted by: Tim | Sep 2, 2008 3:31:19 PM
The only thing I'll give these morons credit for is having to balls to go public with their idiotic, self-loathing views.
And gosh, I wonder how long it will take for this thread to fill up with claims that being gay doesn't mean being liberal. YES IT DOES.
Posted by: Paul R | Sep 2, 2008 3:31:56 PM
and Patrick Sammon..Don't ever let me run into you/or meet you...cause' I'd have to slap the shit out of U ..and well, being republican..there's alot of shit to slap out of U!
Posted by: Disgusted American | Sep 2, 2008 3:33:28 PM
Log Cabin Republicans: Analogous to black Klansmen or Jewish Nazis! How pathetic!
Posted by: Wren | Sep 2, 2008 3:36:37 PM
Crispy
ROFLMAO
I almost peed myself from laughing so hard. LOL
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Sep 2, 2008 3:37:57 PM
"...but so are many other issues impacting our daily lives—foreign policy, the economy, jobs, energy policy, health care reform, and taxes."
How presumptuous of them to think they know what is important to me. All the topics listed above are exactly why I would not vote for McCain.
Posted by: Mark in NYC | Sep 2, 2008 3:39:38 PM
LCR are so pathetic. I used to date one, and he was a total bundle of self-hating contradictions. I got out of his life, fast.
Posted by: john | Sep 2, 2008 3:43:42 PM
Why can't the LCRs, who are gay Republicans, declare
1) their support for limited government, strong defense and other non-gay related policy positions;
and
2) declare their opposition to anti-gay policies in the GOP platform, and explain how they believe they are incompatible with other Republican principles?
It is pointless to constantly rubber-stamp the leadership every four years. Sure, they deserved kudos for opposing George Bush in 2004, the first time they ever withheld their endorsement from a party presidential candidate. Why couldn't they have kept up the fight this year?
Seriously, with all those anti-measures in the platform, it's plain nuts for the LCRs to support McCain. Don't they have any self-respect?
Posted by: Al | Sep 2, 2008 3:57:28 PM
So the LCR vote for McCain and then hope that he will hold discussions with them while he's in office and magically change his entire opinion on gay rights? No? McCain promised he would talk to them? Oh ok, I feel better.
Posted by: Tom S. | Sep 2, 2008 3:58:10 PM
I'm wondering if all the members aren't on the National Board..so that's 14 people.
What a sad lot. Oh well, the Nazis had their collaborators also, but at least they had the excuse of saying they were trying to survive.
Posted by: John | Sep 2, 2008 4:03:33 PM
The photo of the "Big Tent Event" looks exactly as pathetic, silly, and sad as one would expect it to look. The non-excitement is palpable. Outlining all of McCain/Palin's gay-friendly positions must have taken, oh, milliseconds. And then what? Blowjobs in the big tent corners?
Posted by: Ernie | Sep 2, 2008 4:05:23 PM
Lets get real
LCR's vote based on
1- who will keep the brown people away from them
2- the hopes that they will get the magic $300 tax break
That is it!
patriotism? BS when you have the first secessionist since the days of reconstruction on the national ticket.
ABC news last night, MSNBC, and the NYT have now all reported that Palin was in fact a member of radical secessionist AIP Alaskian Independence Paty and spoke at one of their conventions.
AIP believes in seceding by voting first and failing that then by any means necessary. AIP's own web site link page has references equating Abraham Lincoln (preserved the union) to Hitler.
A freaking secessionist on the national ticket! Utter crazyness and treasonous. Most secessionist parties in the lower 49 have strong white supremacist ties so it will be interesting to see while reporters rumage around if AIP is like the rest and also has white supremacist ties.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Sep 2, 2008 4:14:55 PM
The LCR had a chance once upon a time to make a difference. Unfortunately, they continue to maintain a stubborn hypocritical stance bordering on lunacy. McCain's choice for VP is sickening, his behavior during the run up to the conventions was been nothing short of horrendous. The LCR has become a fringe group in the worst sense of the word. They're still behaving like the sad gays hoping to get approval from their daddies. Good luck boys...anytime you feel like standing up and acting like men, let us know.
Posted by: bryan | Sep 2, 2008 4:25:58 PM
Shunning. It has it uses. This would be one of them.
Posted by: Kyle Childress | Sep 2, 2008 4:27:26 PM
Regarding all those empty seats, maybe they were just in the restroom when the photo was taken.
Oh wait, this isn't an airport...
Posted by: Timmeeeyyy | Sep 2, 2008 4:28:05 PM
Regarding all those empty seats, maybe they were just in the restroom when the photo was taken.
Oh wait, this isn't an airport...
Posted by: Timmeeeyyy | Sep 2, 2008 4:29:05 PM
Time magazine now reporting that Sarah Palin wanted to censor books when mayor of wasilla
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/2/
112743/6059/507/583261
That + the revelation video from her church where she equates the Iraq war as a plan from God and her pastor says we need to die for jesus = SCARY theocracy coming down the pike and naive LCR's need to realize that their gay racist happy asses will be tossed into gitmo right along with us other gays, Jews, Hindus, etc
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Sep 2, 2008 4:30:39 PM
I've tried to be a little more liberal toward conservative gays, but it's very difficult. Your political party is dominated by folks who believe that you are an abomination worthy of death. We have people like that in the Democratic Party, but outside of Birmingham Alabama, they have no power in our party at all.
Evangelicals within the Democratic Party tend to vote for congresspeople who support gay civil rights. It's strange, but it's good.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Sep 2, 2008 4:43:24 PM
While I am not a LCR nor do I desire to cozy up to them, there is a point to some g/l involvement in the Republican Party. Tim Gill said this much when he spoke at a Denver HRC dinner several years ago.
We can't put all our eggs in the DNC basket. True equal rights will come from the gays and lesbians who are Republicans being out and open and involved in their parties, running for local positions, and creating change from the inside out.
Not that the LCRs are doing this...
Posted by: Andy in Denver | Sep 2, 2008 4:45:48 PM
As Liberace sorta said: "I'm crying all the way to the bank." It applies to the LCR and other groups.
Posted by: anon | Sep 2, 2008 4:48:29 PM
here's another quote:
"The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he's on."
Joseph Heller, Catch 22
Posted by: Mark in NYC | Sep 2, 2008 4:55:23 PM
CNN
reporting that John Mccain has canceled interview with Larry king that was scheduled for today. The reason given is the campaigns upset over Campbell Brown interview yesterday where she tore mccain apologist to pieces and kept hammering on how he wasn't answering her questions
We are watching a slow train wreck in progress. Get your popcorn
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Sep 2, 2008 5:07:48 PM
Is there any doubt that gay Republicans are scum of the earth sell outs more concerned about the contents of their wallets than for all gay people? Seriously, these ass wipes have endorsed a man who is firmly against gay rights.
Could you see a national Latino or African-American group endorsing someone who was against enacting laws to protect them from workplace discrimination? Hell no!
But, if you're a member of the LCR and have money coming out of your ass, why should you care about Joe in Tulsa who lives in fear of losing his job and home because he doesn't have any laws to prevent anti-gay firings.
So, once more, gay Republicans are scum. This talk about being "tolerant" to gay Republicans is pure manipulative bullshit. Being "tolerant" of people who enable others who hurt you is stupidly suicidal.
Chris Crain and the rest of the gay Republican sleaze bags reflect the worst of American society: the greedy, selfish, amoral few who live lives happily and parasitically because of the sacrifice of others.
Like Clarence Thomas and Dinesh D'Souza, two men of color who make a living off injuring other people of color, the LCR is without shame and decency. They should be shunned.
How do the LCR staff explain to the gay kids who get bullied that they are supporting a man like McCain who thinks that it's okay that they be denied jobs and housing?
How do the LCR members look into the eyes of gay parents who can't put food on the table for their kids because they lost a job but have no legal means of seeking redress?
How do the LCR members look into the face of parents who have seen their gay children slaughtered on the streets and their killers get light sentences or go free when hate crimes legislation could have been used to prosecute the killers of their children?
Apparently, the LCR members have no such concerns. Like the good sociopaths that they are, they don't care about what happens to others.
Posted by: noah | Sep 2, 2008 5:09:12 PM
sorry
Here is the link
http://www.dailykos.com/
storyonly/2008/9/2/163035/8405/137/583631
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Sep 2, 2008 5:09:21 PM
did cindy attend their dinner?
or was she too "busy".
the funny part is that the ONLY people who acknowledge that they exist are US, the democratic party.
Posted by: johnosahon | Sep 2, 2008 5:38:23 PM
Now they are canceling Palin public appearance
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/
2008/09/schlafly-chides.html
an appearance amongst so called friendly supporters "anti-choicers", but would be flooded by reporters
The utter destruction of the repub party this election cycle is happening right before our eyes. This is great TV, and LCR's tied themsleves to this. Bye bye LCR's, you are going to sink just like mcshame and plain
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Sep 2, 2008 5:52:50 PM
they can all go straight to hell.
Posted by: nic | Sep 2, 2008 5:56:32 PM
Al, I think you said it best. Absolutely the smartest, most productive comment on the whole mess.
The LCR can't hope to win respect from anyone, friend or foe, if they keep supporting the Republican candidate no matter how deeply he caves to the religious right. You just end up looking weak and getting taken for granted.
LCR should just get out of the endorsement racket completely. Agitate within the Republican party, meet with the sympathetic, and point out when the party veers away from its old principles (now long gone). And make gay rights a priority.
Stick with that routine, and you'll win a lot more respect. Or less disrespect. Or whatever.
Posted by: Yeek | Sep 2, 2008 6:41:33 PM
Palin church guest
described Palestinian attack on Israel as God's judgment
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/
palestinian-attack-in-isr_n_123297.html
There goes the FL elderly Jewish vote for mccain
add that to Hagee endorsement earlier in the year and one wonders why quite a few elderly Jews vote repub
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Sep 2, 2008 6:45:26 PM
Didn't Larry Craig do his tap dancing routine in the entertainment part of the LCR party? I hear Ted Haggard gave the benediction.
Posted by: homer | Sep 2, 2008 7:20:34 PM
Among Republicans, being endorsed by a gay group (even "good" gays like LRC gays) is not going to get you any more votes. It will probably hurt you. I think the LRC endorsement of McCain is a political net loss for McCain, just like their failure to endorse Bush was probably a net win for him. At least the Republican ticket has Palin to offset this endorsement somewhat.
Posted by: JJ | Sep 2, 2008 7:29:34 PM
Really? I thought they might have some issue with Palin b/c she is a social conservative. Sounds like they are kissing some ass, no pun intended. I think that they should have done in 2000 or 2004 by issuing a non-endorsement. I know they agree with his other policies, but really, progress with these two idiots please there is going to be backing up.
Posted by: Steven | Sep 2, 2008 7:41:29 PM
its liek an abusive relationship...the truth is the republicans can careless about the LCR, Idiots, atleast we know we also have Nazi-religious-race-haters in our community ...and they are all in LCR. IDIOTS! they keep begging but have you ever heard any republican mention them?? NO! ugh
these are the people that vote for inept goverment....these are the people that stick to republicans regardless...they are nto for the community, they are for the republicans plain and simple....they aren't for america. trash!
Posted by: Bosie | Sep 2, 2008 8:40:14 PM
Morons, plain and simple. They do what they can to help elect a person that seriously has no interest in helping us at all (please LCR's, stop deluding yourselves) and who seems likely to continue squandering their money in the frenzy of fiscal irresponsibility that the GOP has mired itself in...
McCain = McSame = McShame!!!
Posted by: CK | Sep 2, 2008 8:55:59 PM
JIMMYBOYO: You've made several comments on this thread and I pretty much agree with all of them. I think LCR's are racist and greedy. I equate the LCR's to the Jewish concentration camp Kapos, who had no problem beating, bullying and shoving their fellow Jews into the gas chambers and ovens just to buy themselves a little extra food and perhaps a few days or weeks more life. What they fail to accept is that they too will eventually end up on the heap with the rest of the gays.
I have nothing but contempt for the LCR's and think they should be identified, outed and ridiculed for the selfish traitors that they are. The sad thing is, they benefit from the freedoms and advances that the community has fought for, won and will win in spite of them and their Republican masters.
Posted by: Bob R | Sep 2, 2008 10:22:44 PM
"Log Cabin Republicans: Analogous to black Klansmen or Jewish Nazis!"
This is absolutely, patently untrue. They are in NO WAY equivalent.
Log Cabins may be misguided, but they do not do deliberate evil.
"Jewish Nazis" -- anyone who uses such a phrase is either a complete moron or unaware of what true evil is.
Posted by: MARTY | Sep 2, 2008 10:31:57 PM
The Gay Minstrel Show is alive and well in what we've all come to know as the Log Cabin Republicans. Ahh, the self-loathing that must be compulsary for membership.
By the way, I agree that to compare Log Cabineers to Nazis is unfair. Kapos, however, is dead-on.
Posted by: John | Sep 3, 2008 3:17:12 AM
The conservative trolls, including LCRs, who normally post on Towleroad are curiously absent from this thread.
Just an observation.
Posted by: John in Manhattan | Sep 3, 2008 9:32:25 AM
It's appalling how delusional the Log Cabinettes can be, calling McCain a "maverick for gay rights" (direct quote) and touting Sarah Palin's vetoing of an anti-gay bill for constitutional reasons as proof of gay friendliness.
Selling our your own kind for purely monetary gain requires you to construct some serious delusions to cope with yourself, I guess.
Posted by: Philip Wester | Sep 3, 2008 9:39:55 AM
Wow! Two of the 14 board members actually GET it. How refreshing.
Posted by: Tom Aloisi | Sep 3, 2008 10:40:06 AM
I have nothing to say to these people. Obviously they are mute, blind, and above all, delusional.
Posted by: Ken Casey | Sep 3, 2008 10:40:25 AM
They support McCain only because he was against the constitutional amendment? Is that it? Many repubs were against it because they just didn't believe in the seriousness of amending the constitution. NOT because they were supporting the gay community. McCains voting against the amendment had nothing to do with us. What a pathetically week argument for supporting this old man. I wonder, are there any minorities in the LCR? Any people from lower economic brackets? If there are they are probably just tokens...
Posted by: Mr. E | Sep 3, 2008 2:13:49 PM
Don't you just LOVE the LCR fairies? Endorsing John McCain! Well, I'm sure OLD John is ever so grateful and will wire off a telegram of thanks any moment now. I'll bet Miss Sarah is ever so grateful, too, and she'll be thinking of new ways to show her gratitude--maybe inviting Rod Parsley or the good Rev. Hagee to help her with her syntax (or is it sin-tax?). The LCR fairies continue to show why they'll be the top dogs in those concentration camps we'll all get sent to when McCain croaks and Miss Sarah takes the oath because they lick their masters boots cleaner. Oh, tut-tut! Why, those LCR fairies KNOW that it's all about a strong national defense, tax cuts, defense of marriage as between one man and one woman, containing the Russian bear and always and forever supporting our good friends in Israel as they continue to sh*t on the Palestinians. Yes, the LCR fairies do not disappoint and come through again with flying fairy-colours!
Posted by: mike | Sep 3, 2008 2:36:22 PM
Noah-
Well-said (or written, as it were). Thanks.
Posted by: JT | Sep 4, 2008 2:05:54 AM
The LCR are like the battered women who go back to the man that abuses them. They go back because they have no self esteem. The LCR should go to Sarah Palin's church. I hear they believe in reparative therapy. It should be easy to cure those that obviously hate themselves so completely. Gay republicans are a sickening group. Someone needs to bitch slap these assholes back into the reality based world.
Posted by: Jeff | Sep 7, 2008 11:32:25 AM
This should put to rest any doubt that perhaps the LCR are pursuing a respectable goal of changing the party from within. They are disrespected and ignored by the GOP, and, with this recent endorsement, brazenly endorsing anti-gay candidates, and implicitly endorsing a conservative Court that will make the lives of gays and lesbians very difficult for decades to come. Shame on the LCR. Perhaps "self-loathing" is finally a suitable description of this group.
Posted by: TexRex96 | Sep 9, 2008 11:50:57 PM