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Loading ...Besen: No more gay Republicans
Until now, I have always thought there was a place for the Log Cabin Republicans within the GLBT movement.
There was a need for a group that could advocate from inside the belly of the beast and do the dirty work that few intellectually honest people wanted to do. The logic behind this organization was that it made more sense to fight for the soul of the Republican Party than run away and support the Democrats — which members of this organization have traditionally disagreed with on fiscal and national security matters.However, the rationale for this organization has significantly eroded, as the GOP has shown itself to be corrupt, inept and incapable of good governance. It has become the party of cronyism, debt and diabolical deceit, while securing its power by enthusiastically pandering to its anti-gay base.
With the stock market plummeting, the real estate bubble bursting, the deficit exploding and gas prices breaking new records — largely thanks to Republican deregulation of markets and failure to explore alternative energy sources – the myth of Republican economic responsibility has been fatally punctured.
Log Cabin Republicans also justify their party choice on grounds of national security. But, in eight years of mostly Republican rule, America has grown weaker. Our military is stretched thin, we are still bogged down in the bloody money pit of Iraq, Russia is resurgent, and Osama remains free in the same lawless Pakistani border where Al-Qaeda is plotting. Indeed, the 9-11 attacks took place with Republicans in power, including a president who failed to take seriously reports that an attack on America was imminent.
Based on this abominable record, gay Republicans can no longer say that their party’s performance on other matters overrides its unyielding opposition to GLBT equality.
Between the sullying of America’s reputation abroad and the divisiveness on social issues at home, there is no reason that securing GLBT rights should not be the primary focus of Log Cabin Republicans. The choice they present between our equality and the safety and prosperity of this nation has proven itself false.
The final logic for Log Cabin was that it could create “Big Tent” Republicanism by nurturing friendly Republicans who could transform the party. Unfortunately, this election cycle shows that instead of changing the GOP, it is the “supportive” politicians who reinvent themselves to appeal to social conservatives.
Instead of standing on principle, ambitious Log Cabin favorites — such as Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani — made crass conversions and bowed to anti-gay zealots that an earlier incarnation of John McCain called “agents of intolerance.” We even had a sophisticated actor, Fred Thompson, who surely must socialize with gay people in Hollywood, act like he just fell off a turnip truck in overalls.
The truth is, Republican politicians who are pro-gay have no future in the GOP. If they did, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld would have been a rising star. The most famous moderate — Arnold Schwarzenegger — has his presidential ambitions chastened by the U.S. Constitution, thus allowing him a degree of autonomy. However, those who want to be president will pander to the preachers.
The Log Cabin experiment to remake the GOP has faltered and they should consider closing shop. At times, it has been a noble project, particularly under the principled leadership of Patrick Guerriero, who refused to endorse Bush in 2004 after the president pushed for the Federal Marriage Amendment.
It is obvious, however, that this organization has outlived its usefulness and has been soundly defeated by much larger, wealthier and influential anti-gay forces. The party is now rotten to the core and thrives on homophobic bigotry, anti-immigrant sentiment, small-minded populism and foolishly mocking our foreign allies at the expense of our long-term national security (remember freedom fries?).
Exactly where does a gay Republican fit into this intolerant scenario?
Log Cabin’s tragic endorsement of John McCain exhibits an obdurate denial of his anti-gay record and a stubborn unwillingness to admit that their one-time hero is now hopeless. McCain’s VP choice, Sarah Palin, a favorite of the fundamentalist fringe, should have lead to a reevaluation, if not reversal of their endorsement. Like Palin, they didn’t blink, and are shamefully in cahoots with destructive forces that would deny GLBT people the most basic rights.
The only chance for gay Republicans to be legitimate players in the GOP is to have the party suffer a string of crushing losses. The defeats have to be so painful and substantial, that they lead to realignment, where the role of social conservatives is significantly diminished. Clearly, the Log Cabin Republicans can only save their party by helping to defeat it.
Both parties agree that this is the election of “change.” Log Cabin can take the lead by changing its endorsement of McCain before they further harm the gay and lesbian community. Their suicidal tendency to help a party that despises them is the pink elephant in the room that needs to be discussed. If they can’t reform the GOP — and there is no evidence that they can — it may be time to disband.
Richie:
While I have no doubt that there are indeed anti-gay democrats, I think it’s arguable that they aren’t nearly as dominant as in the GOP.
If we, however, pause to ask if there are other issues of greater importance to the nation as a whole than equal rights for L-G-B-T-I-Q-etc., and if we decide that indeed there are, we then have to ask which party has the right ideas. As an independent, I don’t necessarily agree with everything the Democrats want, but I’m having trouble coming up with a single thing that the GOP in its current incarnation can really lay claim to with any honesty.
Besen is right – the GOP have become populist panderers, and I find them to be far more interested in soundbites and symbolism than substance. Moreover, they’ve had 8 years to run things, and look where we are.
I don’t care what Bush and McCain say – the fundamentals of our economy are clearly NOT strong. We are indeed weaker on the global stage than before.
So what, pray tell, does the GOP have to offer us? Not much from where I sit.
Lastly, I have to say that the LCR’s mission to change the GOP from within is a clear failure. And here I’ll remind you that I’m non-partisan. I’m not entirely thrilled about the slow pace of change among Democrats, either. But they are at least showing some progress. With the GOP it seems to be a case of taking a very tentative half step forward, while looking back in longing. All too soon they beat a hasty retreat back into the tired anti-gay rhetoric that has become comforting to their base through its prolonged overuse. That is NOT leadership, and it doesn’t deserve an endorsement, much less our votes.
What galled me was listening to the Log Cabin talking heads on television spinning Senator McCain’s record. Yes he opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment, but he made it clear he would support it if any Federal court ever overturned DOMA. He also twice supported anti-gay marriage amendments in Arizona and now supports Proposition 8 in California. It was also infuriating to hear Senator McCain respond to questions about LGBT rights. Instead of talking about whether he supported or opposed LGBT rights bills, he instead talks about his support for our right to enter into “private agreements” like “powers of attorney”. No “private agreement” will guarantee us equal tax or immigration treatment. Senator McCain lacks the intellectual honesty to directly say that he opposes the ENDA and gay hate crimes legislation and opposes equal tax treatment for gay families. I voted for him in the 2000 primary but I certainly won’t vote for him on November 4th.
It is admirable to commit to fundamental principals in which you believe. It is truly American to be able to freely express your beliefs. However, one must distinguish between idealism and reality. Don’t you people realize that a sizeable and powerful number of the most active right-wing Republicans sincerely believe that we are sub-human! Are you so naive that you don’t realize they hate us and that they exude their message in their like-minded workplaces and churches. I live in one of the largest cities in the South and I see and hear it everyday. There are many that sympathize with our cause, and believe in essential human rights, but they are in the minority here. I am glad you people promote smaller government and fiscal responsibility–so do I. So did the Republican Party when Barry Goldwater was at his height. But that’s not what happens now when they are elected. I refuse to gladly walk into the ovens singing their praises. Sometime you have to be practical, accept reality, and choose the lesser of two evils.
“Indeed, the 9-11 attacks took place with Republicans in power, including a president who failed to take seriously reports that an attack on America was imminent.”
I wish everyone would stop blaming the Republicans for letting 9-11 happen. If Gore had been president instead of Bush, I believe 9-11 still would have occurred. Both Republicans and Democrats alike felt terrorists couldn’t strike here.
John Gault, bring your sell out [butt] to Topix. See you there big boy. How did this happen? How on earth could you lend your support to a party that wishes we were dead?
The notion that Log Cabin Republicans ever had the slightest chance of winning the soul of the party, or even having an influence on it anywhere outside of a few limited geographic areas, has always been blatantly absurd.
Even the name “Log Cabin” ignores the reality that today’s GOP is not the party of Lincoln. It’s the party of George Wallace whose followers and sympathizers moved into the GOP en masse in response to Nixon’s southern strategy of making the South a GOP stronghold and the GOP a majority party. In effect, a huge block of former Democratic voters became Republican voters almost overnight. They’re now the conservative core of the party, and the party can’t do without them.
Even if all of the gays in the U.S. decided to register and vote Republican, would GOP leaders take a chance on alienating that southern voting bloc by supporting gays in any way? Not likely. The numbers gained couldn’t compare to the numbers lost.
Remember, Democrats began to lose their grip on the South after President Johnson supported Civil Rights legislation. Republican leaders know that and wouldn’t risk taking a similar loss over gay rights.
I think Mr. Besen and many of you miss a very important point. Being a repubican doesn’t equate voting republican. A Republican or Democratic candidate would have to earn my vote on the issues. I am Republican here in Mass because I vote in the primary and want to influence the outcome of those elections…but for the general election I look at the candidate, and have not been able to vote Republican for some time.
The issue here is we are being pandered to by the Democrats and pandered against by the Republicans. Neither is very flattering but of course the latter is simply disgusting.
I can’t vote for Obama…not because of party affiliation. He gave an interview to CBS recently (I think it airs tonight but last night they had excerpts…) in which he said in an even tone that he would raise our energy bills 2 or 3x with his cap and trade system by taxing all carbon output. McCain’s plan simply makes more sense. Cap and trade but not tax! Lower the cap year after year, the value of the permits goes up and companies are incentivised to make upgrades to their equipment. You don’t need to kill me with more taxes to achieve lower carbon output.
Also what about the death tax? A traditionally conservative issue that is front and center to my concerns about government being too big. Now we have this bailout and the current administration wants to throw around money they don’t have but will print up. The Democrats want some strings attached.
Not sure who is right yet, but my point is each party has a view and then the candidates have their own and we must look at the whole picture.
For me McCain is unacceptable for one simple reason: Bob Jones and Palin (ok, two, but they are the same). Pandering to religious fundamentalism belongs in Iran, or Saudi Arabia, not her. this is not a gay issue, I have vowed to fight religion and its evil influences as the biggest issue in my political life…not gay rights (which are high but not in the top 2 or 3).
I’m married, being in Massachusetts. I give money to the non profits making those fights. I don’t vote Republican because they don’t come up with candidates that support my values. I very, very rarely vote Democrat for the same reason.
this year it will be the libertarian. But please, Mr. Besen, don’t assume we are all members of the log cabins…I’m not. And don’t equate party affiliation with voting…it isn’t. Now if I was a staunch Republican activist, different story. But I’m not, and sorry to tell you all we don’t all vote just on equality. It is very important, and often aligns with other issues I support like immigration and choice, but the sun doesn’t rise and set on that.
What good is equality in a socialist state? Sorry, I want my money to stay where it is..in my accounts, not the federal reserve. They have proven to be too irresponsible with it.
Amen, Wayne. But face it, the reason the LCR’s exist is about the bottom line — THEIR bottom line. These guys are wealthy and well-off conservatives, despite being gay. They’d rather have the money than their own freedom and equality. I sincerely hope they all are losing big bucks in today’s economy!
Richie: “But ya are wrong Blanche – ya are!”
Thanks Wayne – as always, an EXCELLENT column!
Just to make a few points:
1. Welcome back Wayne. I have been waiting for this particular column to be published here. (Glad you weren’t “canned”). This has needed to be said for a long time and thank you for saying it. Glad the site finally posted it.
2. “Even though the Republican Party currently is riding the mass hysteria about the economy and acting like the Democratic Party, one day they’ll return to a laissez-faire economy and limited government regulation.”
This is EXACTLY what got us into this banking mess, limited government oversight of greedy and corrupt individuals. Not only that, this is the 2nd time it has happened on the Republican watch (Reagan was in office when the S&L scandal hit the fan, primarily due to bank deregulation) and you want to make it EASIER for them to steal from us? Not to mention that when it’s all said and done, the people directly responsible will go home to their masions driving their luxury cars and have their servants pack their bags for a vaction at their summer homes while Blue-collar Joe gets evicted from his house, can’t afford health care and has to put food on the table and educate his kids while earning far LESS than what minumum wage should be (accounting for inflation and other factors, minimum wage should be well over $10 an hour, but Reagan also froze that during his terms in office) AND on top of all this, Blue-collar Joe will be footing a bill for over $800 billion to bail out the idiots who got rich while Rome was burning. Time to dump some damn tea in the harbor if you ask me.
3. I am quite conservative on many issues. I do not think the Democrats will do anything for us, but I don’t hear them proposing to take away what few rights we do enjoy and set the progress the SCC Community has made back 50 years as part of their party’s platform. To put it bluntly, LCRs are doing nothing less than giving aid & comfort to our enemies, and make no mistake, this is a war.
Log Cabib Republicans have always reminded me of the Jewish Nazi helpers during WWII. They were self loathing cowards that ended up getting murdered by their “allies” in the end anyway.
I find them sociopathic.
I have always considered the term, “Gay Republican,” an oxymoron.
Wow. You whiners make me want to run out and change my party affiliation to something other than democrat. While you’re busy judging gay republicans I have news for you smug democrats: This is the first year the word gay even made it to the democrats platform! get a grip. You’re just as pathetic throwing your support behind a candidate that doesn’t even care about you. You really think you’re so different Your myopia makes you sadder than the log cabin queers. At least they know what they are getting in to.
The only party for gays and lesbians of conscience is the green party.
Spot on Wayne. While it is true Democrats have never been our friends in a true sense, they have never been our sworn enemies like the Republicans have. They and the “Christians” they suck up to have deemed us second-class and unworthy to share equal status. And Log Cabin Republicans are merely delusional. They cannot actually respond to anything. Look at their blog. When something is printed they do not like, they attack the person. They attacked Pam Spaulding of Pam’s House Blend, they attacked Dan Savage, and yesterday they attacked Mike Rogers. “When all else fails just attack the messenger and spin John McCain as some great person who will be the bastion of freedom for LGBT folks” should be their motto. The poor fools.
I completely agree with you, but, the green party has no chance of winning. The Dem’s, granted, just now came in support of us, but at least they did. A vote for the green party is a wasted vote. You know this. Does it suck? Yes. But, thats the political reality of the country right now. I would like nothing more than to have a green party candidate (not necessarily Nader), in the white house. It’s just not gonna happen anytime soon…