The general election officially began this week, so we imagined that the Log Cabin Republicans would make good on their post-primary word and endorse John McCain. They have not.
President Patrick Sammon did tell us this morning, however, that he and his peers will likely back the Arizona Senator at some point over the next month have not yet backed McCain, but will make a decision within the next month.
In the meantime, the political group has turned its sights on Human Rights Campaign, which this week released a scathing report on McCainās gay record.
And, as part of a larger effort to set things straight, Cabin member Scott Tucker took to the blogosphere to school us on McCainās virtues.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
We understand the general election starts today and Log Cabin will do its part to educate gay and lesbian voters about Sen. McCain in the weeks ahead. Contrary to what many Democrats are saying, Sen. McCain is not George W. Bush. Most gays and lesbians understand that fact. Sen. McCain isnāt going to use gay people as a wedge issue. He won the GOP nomination with no help (and with outright hostility) from many so-called āsocial conservatives.ā This is a significant achievement for all gay and lesbian Americans.
HRC glosses over McCainās principled stand against the anti-gay federal marriage amendment. As I pointed out in this column for the Washington Blade, McCain didnāt just vote (twice) against the marriage amendment. He put himself on the line, bucked his own party leadership and President Bush, and took to the floor of the U.S. Senate to speak against the proposal. In 2004, he gave one of the most impassioned speeches from the Senate floor on the issue. That isnāt insignificant.
Is his record perfect? No. But itās inclusive and shows positive signs. We will hear more about his priorities and record in the months ahead.
Well, weāre absolutely pins and needles. Weāre also confused. Does fighting the FMA for federalist reasons ā that is, the belief that such matters are best left to the states ā really the most inclusive position or is it simply politically expedient?
flightoftheseabird
I am sure that the LCR endorsing McCain will surely help him with the conservatives who already do not trust him.
Captain Kirk
yes, but who do they hate more … the gays or the blacks … oh the choices!
24play
So when McCain runs for the White House against Bush, I’ll definitely vote McCain.
Thanks, Cabinettes!
foofyjim
Great! A Republican presidential candidate that might actually take some of LCR’s campaign contributions. We’ve come so far! Thanks LCR for all you do to help conservatives embrace us and our civil rights concerns!
Oh wait, I meant to say piss off!
ggreen
The log cabin crowd, it was Uncle TomĆ¢ā¬ā¢s cabin first you know. But the term Uncle Tom had some very precise overtones to it so they changed it to log cabin Republicans.
How to spot Log Cabin Republican (they like to pass you know):
Bad toupee
Muffin topped (Even when wearing his man girdle)
Drives a Dodge/Plymouth
Waits until he hears everyone elseĆ¢ā¬ā¢s opinion to have one
Orange Tan (Usually QT from a cheap bottle)
Believes the product hype on QVC and Home Shopping
Only wears easy care fabrics (just like Mom)
Believes know one knows heĆ¢ā¬ā¢s gay (despite the trail of fairy dust he leaves everywhere he goes)
CanĆ¢ā¬ā¢t understand why there is this Ć¢ā¬Åwhole gay thingĆ¢ā¬Ā anyway
Believes rich people are the nicest people
Always disowns friends or family members that notice how self-obsessed he is.
Gregoire
What a weak defense of McCain. How do you hang on that kind of tenuous logic as a point of view? I mean, how do you get through a day?
Mostly likely, it’s that rush of ‘being different’ from the other gays, that internal embarrassment of how the others act being brought into a political cause that is essentially hollow as it is essentially based on an oxymoron.
You could say a ‘gay conservative’ is technically like a ‘giant shrimp’; they exist, but they’re rare and don’t have much substance when grilled.
Seriously, I can understand being fiscally conservative. In some ways, I find myself moderate on some issues. But to sign on to a political belief system that clearly treats a gay or lesbian as a second class citizen — and has no intention to change — is counter-intuitive to any person with a brain.
From what I understand, some Log Cabiners usually join because of some particular incident, some bitterness or jadedness with the left. (I’ll bet their attendence swelled because of a few sour Hillary supporters.) I can certainly understand being bitter since reliving this primary season, but the solution is to help change what’s imperfect, not abandon it entirely.
emb
“Sen. McCain isnĆ¢ā¬ā¢t going to use gay people as a wedge issue.”
Maybe. But is he going to forcefully denouce and ostracize those in his rightwing nutjob cabal who DO use scary gay marriage as a wedge?
Nah.
Self-loathing is the most satisfying sort of loathing, and the LCRs are total masters of it.
abracadaver
How to spot a LGBT Democratic hack:
1. Thinks Dan Savage’s column qualifies as “in depth analysis.”
2. “Drives” public transportation and jeers at Dodge/Plymouths out of sour grapes.
3. Ravaged skin from not only too much sun exposure, but lots of cigarettes, crack and meth.
4. Not only believes the product hype from A&F and Dolce & Gabbana, but actually believes he can afford it (if he trims his porn budget, or only drinks draft on Stripper Night at the local dive hole).
5. Believes everyone not only cares that he’s gay, but must make sure everyone knows it, too.
6. Believes poverty is some kind of virtue, rather than the psychological pathology of “lack mentality” that it really is. Also often thinks the world owes him something, too, or that there are simply too many barriers to him building wealth for himself (there actually are; he just refuses to admit they’re self-imposed).
7. Disowns, defames and attacks anyone (especially fellow LGBT’s) who thoughts don’t fit into the same small box that his mind occupies.
charlie
What planet are these log-heads on? McCain is even against domestic partnership. He figures everybody can just go to an attorney, plunk down some cash, and have an individual contract drawn up.
If they had seen him on Ellen, they might have noticed how uncomfortable any discussion of same-sex couples made him. I guess their point is that he really isn’t as homophobic as he appears; he just has to act that way to get votes. But why should it get OUR votes???
Gregoire
“Disowns, defames and attacks anyone (especially fellow LGBTĆ¢ā¬ā¢s) who thoughts donĆ¢ā¬ā¢t fit into the same small box that his mind occupies.”
LOL That’s funny. A Log Cabin IS a small box, in more ways than one.
Why would I embrace, defend and respect anybody who joins a group working AGAINST my basic rights? They don’t respect mine.
abracadaver
Definition of a conservative: someone with something to conserve.
Next?
PB
I’m so tired of hearing all the “self -loathing” and “oxymoron” accusations from my gay community. So tolerant and accepting!
Log Cabin works hard to advance equality for gay people by educating Republicans and helping to elect fair-minded Republicans.
We will NEVER achieve equality solely by electing Democrats! It was a Democratic president who signed the federal marriage ban and it was the same Democratic president who gave us the current ban on gays in the military (our friend Bill).
Enough with all the name calling, why don’t you acknowledge that Log Cabin is working towards a common goal: equal rights for all gay and lesbian Americans.
PB
We need to recognize the efforts within BOTH political parties, not just the Democrats. There are fair-minded Republicans that deserve credit for their support for fairness and equality for all.
– The CA Supreme Court marriage ruling was carried by a Republican-appointed majority (6 of 7 justices were appointed by Republican governors)
– Republicans provided the margin of votes to pass ENDA in the House
– Republicans provided the margin of votes that kept a repeal of marriage off the ballot in Massachusetts
– Republicans co-sponsored the bills to create and expand Domestic Partnerships in Washington State
– Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed more pro-gay bills than any governor in the nation (D or R) and opposed the marriage amendment
– A Republican single handedly stopped an anti-marriage bill from passing out of committee in Wyoming by standing up for marriage and convincing other Republicans to oppose the bill.
– The first anti-discrimination bill for gays was signed by a Republican.
You don’t hear about that because Democrat media disguised as LGBT media don’t tell you that. Or that anti-gay Fred Phelps is a Democrat who was a delegate for Al Gore. Or that the anti-gay Mayor of Ft. Lauderdale is a Democrat. Because the gay media’s job is not to report on progress for gays and lesbians, it is to ensure they meekly hand over their checkbooks to Democrats while sleepwalking into the voting booth to vote for the 30% of Democrats who opposed expanding domestic partnerships in Washington or the Democrats who make up the majority of the co-sponsors to the anti-marriage amendment in WV.
They don’t tell you that despite controlling Congress, Democrats have not done anything about a bill co-sponsored by Republican Gordon Smith to give us federal domestic partnership benefits.
Wake up! Republicans aren’t perfect, and we acknowledge that, but the gay media simply hides the truth about Democrats and you suckers just swallow it whole.
abracadaver
That would be too easy. For all the supposed self-loathing and internalized homophobia “Cabinettes” are supposed to have, its rarely mentioned that the primary motivation for attacking another person is because you find them to be threatening in some way.
If they had to stop for even one minute and acknowledge that just because some people and institutions of faith and traditional values have rejected them doesn’t mean they have automatically have to do the same in kind, they might be forced to realize that being rejected isn’t an excuse to abandon principles of morality and common decency.
I would be willing to bet cash money that the percentage of heteros who support LGBT inclusion would be much, much higher if there weren’t such things as bathhouses, PNP parties, brown-stained condoms littering public parks known to be frequented by gay males, etc etc.
ggreen
Contrary to Log Cabin beliefs we are not on earth to earn money from the misery of others nor are we here to manipulate others less educated or of a different skin color and call it Ć¢ā¬ÅgodĆ¢ā¬ā¢s workĆ¢ā¬Ā. I got mine fuck you is a very Republican stance especially if Ć¢ā¬ÅI got mineĆ¢ā¬Ā from a conniving thieving ancestor that just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Warren Buffet a very wealthy self-made democrat calls it the lucky sperm club. Yes we have a responsibility to each other. Democratic gays have a responsibility even to closed-minded bigoted Republicans.
abracadaver
I personally made my money the hard way; by earning it. I did it by providing my community, state, and nation with legal services; hardly earning off of the “misery of others.” I do not consider the legal profession to be “God’s work” (purposeful lower-case use duly noted). Like most Republicans, I donate a substantial portion of my income to worthy charitable organizations, so “fuck you, its mine” obviously isn’t a particular part of my personality.
This poster, and Mr. Buffet to be sure, are perfect examples of exactly what I mean. Why don’t we just label all Democrats as fetus-murdering welfare recipients?
Your vitriol and internalized rage because you weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth tells me you’d be EXACTLY the kind of Republican you claim to hate if you had been born privileged. Your mad because “God” didn’t choose YOU to be the “fuck you, I got mine” guy.
fredo777
I’m more than willing to admit that some Repubs. have done good things, just as some Dems. have…eh…not.
When it comes down to the individual candidates, though, I will not now or ever vote for Johnny Mac.
24play
“Why donĆ¢ā¬ā¢t we just label all Democrats as fetus-murdering welfare recipients?”
Um, honey…you did. And it got you banned from Towleroad. Remember?
abracadaver
I do remember that day, but I was actually banned (if you can believe this one) for saying “what in gay hell.” You know, the same line Patrick Swayze uses in “To Wong Foo…”
Says something about LGBT/Democratic dedication to the free exchange of ideas, doesn’t it…as if there weren’t enough evidence to the contrary ad nauseum.
CitizenGeek
Log Cabin Republicans really are a sad bunch. I know the comparisons with, for example, a Jewish Nazi or black Klan member are tired and over-used, but they really are very apt.
I appreciate all the LCR is trying (and they really are getting nowhere) to ‘fix’ the Republican party on this issue but actively working AGAINST an overwhelmingly pro-gay candidate like Obama and IN FAVOUR of an obviously anti-gay, Arizona bigot is just indefensible.
eliana
Secret McCain Website Edits Leaked to Press: http://www.236.com/blog/w/lee_camp/mccains_edits_to_his_website_l_6965.php
hells kitchen guy
They’re still upset they missed out on the “Jews for Hitler” movement 60 years ago.
24play
Sure it was the “gay hell” remark? From Towleroad:
>>To those not worth calling by name who insist that others who hold opinions different than theirs are Republican, and that a true Democrat would unite the party: ever heard of Moderates and Independents? You know, the people who actually decide each election? Oh, no, wait, I forgot….all you fetus-murdering liberals live in a black/white, gay/straight, old/young, up/down etc etc ad nauseum kind of world. Myopic.
[ED NOTE: IP OF COMMENTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED. PLEASE TRY TO CARRY ON A CONSTRUCTIVE, CIVIL DISCUSSION]
Posted by: abracadaver | May 14, 2008 2:30:17 PM
AND
>>Where in GAY HELL did I attack Obama in this post? Geez, if you fagulas want to hate me, at least hate me for what I actually say. Pfft.
[ED NOTE: COMMENTER’S IP HAS BEEN BANNED]
Posted by: abracadaver | May 14, 2008 5:04:40 PM
dfrw
They can vote for McWar/McSame/McBush all they want. It is their right to vote for whomever they like.
Unfortunately, homosexual Republicans like to think that gays care only about themselves and that they only vote gay. Yes, we’re self-interested, as are all voters. However, some of us think that Republicans had over 8 years of control of all three branches of government and cocked up just about everything they touched. They are clearly unable to govern and don’t deserve the privilege of continuing to do so.
Also, some of us think that homosexual Republicans should quit worrying about getting yet another tax cut while having it off, and instead, start thinking for example, oh I don’t know…about the infrastructure of this country. They made it so the whole nation depends on oil and gas with their highways and their stupid monster vehicles, but they don’t want to pay any taxes to take care of the roads that they use to drive around on in order to show off their magnet patriotism and their “I support the troops” proclamations. They killed plans for rail systems and sensible public transit because it was just too liberal. Well, how’d that work out now that this country had to send its illustrious leader off and beg the anti-American terrorist-supporting “ally” for a price cut on crude oil?
Finally, we are sick of hypocrite Republicans constantly opposing same-sex relationships (Vito Fossella is the latest yahoo example), yet lie about having it off with their child-producing whores (did they pay for it? No? Then sluts.). See, it isn’t that Democrats don’t have their whores, it is just that they aren’t standing at the pulpit proclaiming how “everyone else but me” should be pious while having them.
Yes, by all means vote for McNut.
Oh yeah, thanks for the no-end-in-sight war too.
emb
“Log Cabin works hard to advance equality for gay people by educating Republicans and helping to elect fair-minded Republicans.”
Uh huh. Which is why homos are welcomed into the repubs’ big tent; which is why the republican platform is so gay-friendly (or even gay-tolerant); which is why those pushing for constitutional amendments to enshrine discrimination against us are not all foaming-at-the-mouth republican rightwing nutjobs. Sorry, that just doesn’t wash.
PB: By all means be fiscally conservative, cling to your traditional faith in invisible sky-people, support muddle-headed military interventionism and believe in a bootstrapping american dream. That’s all, I suppose, legitimate difference of political opinion. But to do it in the context of an organization that not just tacitly but actively and aggressively and self-importantly and piously disapproves of, campaigns against, and denies the legitimacy of your very nature is, at best, absurd — if not self-loathing.
I just don’t buy the “working for change from inside” when you’re really just screaming at deaf ears. Nice that you could find 7 instances of repubs doing non-ghastly things to the GLBT community. Shall we make of list of the republican-sponsored, republican-backed, and republican-encouraged parade of horribles and compare?
“It was a Democratic president who signed the federal marriage ban” — Yes, because had he not done that the REPUBLICAN MAJORITY in congress would have moved ahead on a federal constitutional amendment. So you’re right, the Clinton action was bad, but it was done to prevent something worse.
“It was the same Democratic president who gave us the current ban on gays in the military” — No argument there; that sucked then, it sucks now. On the other hand, it’s marginally better than automatic discharge, which was brought to us by…republicans, who showed no sign of ever wanting to make even a poor, misguided improvement.
When you can demonstrate concretely that the LCR’s voice is making a difference in republican party policy, I’ll listen. Until then, you’re beating your head against a wall.
RPCV
PB: Thanks for taking the time to make a very comprehensive and persuasive argument. We know that McCain loves America. What we don’t know is the extent to which B. Hussein O. and his, well, loving wife (unless the account that’s floating around the internet about a white guy smoking crack with Hussein and giving him head) hate America, and that’s scary.
fredo777
Fear-mongering.
Uh-oh!
Michael Duquette
I believe that no one hates gays more than other gays who can not understand, nor care to understand gays who live different lives than others. Not everyone must fit into some stereotyped niche, I am voting Republican, that does not mean that I have a muffin top or drive a dodge. I’m 6’1 and 155 lbs and drive a BMW with my Hillary sticker still on it. Im not voting for McCain because I am bitter, because I am not, I am voting for him because I believe him to be the better of the two candidates, and that should be what our decision is based upon. The Log Cabin Republicans have yet to make a case for McCain, but the Human Rights Campaign barely made the case for Obama, having been major Hillary supporters from the beginning. It’s time to make grown up decisions about grown up things, i.e. the election, not which M-A-C bronzer goes best with your skin tone, and quit tearing each other apart over political differences, when most people do not have a clue as to what they are talking about. Just research peoples voting records and listen to what they have to say, Obama supporters really don’t have that much to do then since Obama’s record is shorter than this paragraph and most of his words are plagarized and full of empty double speak and soon-to-be broken promises.
McCain 08
RPCV
Obama has no record. He’s an empty suit. I wouldn’t buy a car without test-driving it many miles, nor would I vote for a president whose record is nonexistent.
McCain 08
michaelm677
I can’t believe that their are so many ugly gay men that can only get attention by screaming to the world that I am Log Cabin Republican. Imagine all those prostitutes that they support having to put up with their body odor and bad breath. Thank god I am a shallow poor beautiful democratic gay man…..lol
ggreen
The AIDS epidemic in the early 80Ć¢ā¬ā¢s turned many gay Republicans into Democrats. Or at least stopped them from voting for Republicans. At that time the entire Republican Party, headed by their savior Saint Ronnie Reagan, had nothing but disdain for gays and AIDS theyĆ¢ā¬ā¢d never heard of it. Until 5 years into the epidemic when Rock Hudson went public and NancyĆ¢ā¬ā¢s hairdressers begged her to do something.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters went unnoticed while Ronnie did his gay impersonations at cabinet meetings. Flopping his writs and mincing for the Iran Contra crowd. Ha ha. Homophobia and Bigotry is in their DNA no amount of appeasement or ass kissing is going to change that. Republicans can only learn one way, the hard way by taking a beating and being marginalized by the public (possibly for decades). Welcome to the real world Newt and your party of sleaze bags.
The RĆ¢ā¬ā¢s screamed at the top of their lungs that Ć¢ā¬Å9/11 changed everythingĆ¢ā¬Ā well I have news for you creeps. The Internet and bloggers changed it in ways none of us could have imagined. The corporate propaganda era is ending. Back room dealings and cronyism now see daylight everyday. Bush and his gang of thieves will see justice because the Internet and bloggers will not let those crime family stories fade into oblivion. It is already happening, I hope your log cabin can withstand earthquakes, floods and fires. Its come to Jesus time for gay Republicans.
Jos76
I’m impressed at how the LCR work from with the party to educate. I think that their work rivals the HRC and GLAAD.
Jos76
http://www.jos76.wordpress.com
mark
Log cabinettes have ALWAYS been self loathing boot lickers, self loathing Seminarians apologising for Rome. They prefer tax breaks to EQUALITY.
After the G*D DAMN EIGHT YEARS of Hell Cheney/Bush era has been, thses sniveling appeasers should hide their heads, and not say another f*ckin’ thing, for another century. YOU’VE “HELPED” ENOUGH…asswipes.
After Cheney is out of power, the closeted motherf*ckers like Rove, Mehlman, and McClellan, had best grow eyes in the back of their heads…there’s some PAYBACK headed in their direction
hisurfer
disclaimer: I am in no way shape or form a Republican.
All these ad hominem attacks on the Log Cabin can (and should) be applied to the Democrat supporters as well. If it’s self-loathing to support McCain that it must also have been self-loathing to vote for B Clinton, who betrayed us over and over again. If one then the other.
When the democrats put forward a fabulous pro-gay candidate I will join you all in throwing stones at the Log Cabin guys. Until then, it’s only an act of hypocrisy.
ggreen
Since the Log Cabin Republicans support the Republican Party and defend its Ć¢ā¬ÅvaluesĆ¢ā¬Ā (and these blog forums are for the most part anonymous) I think itĆ¢ā¬ā¢s a stretch to describe whatĆ¢ā¬ā¢s going on here as ad hominem. IMHO
Point also that Bill Clinton had no record of Ć¢ā¬Åbetraying us over and over againĆ¢ā¬Ā when we were voting for him to be president. Senator McCain does have a record of not supporting LGBT rights and opposing Equality for all people. Senator McCain also has a track record of supporting Wall Street over average American families. He has voted consistently against Universal Health Care and has called for more tax breaks for the wealthiest and none for the rest of Americas tax payers.
Mark
There are several marks here, I see. While I find the other mark’s comments interesting, and even somewhat defensible, I wouldn’t brush every LCR with the same tar, because I don’t believe every LCR member voted for Bush, at least not the 2nd time. Overall, Hisurfer is on the right wave (get it?). We’re the kitchen slaves of the Democrats, and they know it…they aren’t asking us to pick cotton, but they aren’t inviting us to sit down to eat the dinner we’re cooking for them, either.
Alec
I don’t think attacking LCR members is in the best interests of the gay “community,” as such.
Look, I think voting for Senator McCain is right out of the crazy talk express. He is a *bad* candidate, for various reasons. But he is not the worst Republican gay citizens could ask for (that would be Huckabee).
Out here in Caleeforneya, we have a pretty pro-gay Republican governor. He is not representative of the party, but it is the work of the LCR that makes these candidates possible. Let them do their thing, and we gay Dems, independents and others will do our thing.
michaelm677
LCR attack gay people. They are confused individuals who are usually closeted or confused for a substantial period of thier pitiful lives. I speak about them in that manner because they speak about mainstream gay people (common gays to be exact) like this. They are self-centered and only care about the good of thier country as it will help them. Hence, REPUBLICANS.
People wake up. Alec it is obvious your one of those idiots. Go away.
Alec
No, I am not a Log Cabin Republican. It is not “obvious” that I am a Republican (I have voted for a single Republican in my life, and it was a three way “nonpartisan” race with three Republicans). My Democratic credentials are solid.
BTW, I think personal attacks are unbecoming. They reveal a lack of substance on the part of the person making them.
mark
Watch the “maverick” McSame turn the Twin Cities convention into the same old fag bashing event they’d hold if Daddy Dobson was planning the event.
The excuse Log Cabin is educating Republicans is BULLSH*T, the only educating gay Republicans do is to use their gay-dar and micro shopping patterns to expose queer Democratic voters. The gay repigs keep each other’s closets tightly. locked, as they wink at each other while they escort aging actresses to the opera.
mark
To maintain your sobriety, plan a drinking game of taking a shot for every LGBT-positive statement made by a Republican keynote speaker at their Convention.
todd
I understand there might be some gay republicans, but why would you bother voting repubican until you have equal rights? Not until glbt people have equal rights, would I ever consider voting for a republican.
abracadaver
I’m not certain that I disagree entirely with some of the more anti-Republican sentiments expressed here.
However, what I firmly disagree with and will continue to point out is how vitriolic the LGBT left are. No wonder a Democrat has only been elected president in the past 10 elections. No one wants to work with your party anymore!
As long as spleen-venting passes for critical thinking, the Dem party and their LGBT apologists will continue to pull less than 50% of the electorate, and in an election year like this one (where people are truly fed up with Republican agenda)that really speaks VOLUMES.
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