Now that the Grand Old Party has come to an end, Republicans across the land are finding new things to do with their time. Mike Huckabee has a talk show, Sarah Palin is perfecting the art of stand-up-governorship, Mitt Romney’s a Brylcreem salesman and the Republican National Committee’s Online Communication Manager, James Richardson has become a blogger.
We mention the last one because Richardson’s been using his digital hitching post to say some crazy, unorthodox things about gay adoption. The case of Frank Martin Gill, a gay Florida man raising two foster children gave Richardson pause when a judge ruled that banning gay adoption is unconstitutional.
Richardson took a look at the lay of the land and realized that maybe this anti-gay thing isn’t the way to win votes after all. He writes:
“My support for gay adoption will surely be met with hostility and, no doubt, charges of RINO’ism by many of my colleagues, but the Grand Old Party is at a crossroads and now is not the time for an echo chamber. Homosexual demagoguery is not the answer to the Party’s woes, particularly when gay men and women represent the only demographic in which John McCain bested President Bush (27% to 19% based on exit polling). And as Daniel Blatt notes, gay-hostile rhetoric no longer resonates in suburban areas with soccer moms, many of whom have gay friends or family members, and plays even worse with young voters, 61% of which voted against stripping gay couples of the right to marry.
To my dissenters, let me be clear, I am not advocating some sort of radical “judicial activism.” I maintain that judicial resolution to these matters (adoption, marriage, etc) typically leads to protracted and bitter legal battles, but, what is perhaps equally as distressing is our collective failure as a Party to hold a candid discussion on the emerging role of gays in the Party and society at large – not as outcastes, but as equals.”
Every moderate blog in the universe jumped on the story, including Sully, Hot Air, Poligazette and The Moderate Voice all congratulating this one lone Republican for suggesting that the Republican Party reexamine their stand on gay rights. They also all commented on how James Richardson’s dissidence would prompt all sorts of angry attacks by the far right blogosphere, which hasn’t happened– because now that the election is over far-right loonies don’t have to pretend that John McCain campaign staffers are actual real Republicans anymore and can go back to ignoring all their talk of electability and “changing with the times.”
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.
The far-right’s response to November’s losses has been to entrench deeper into the cultural Maginot Line, hoping that they can whip up support by calling gays “terrorists” or “anarchists” and making everyone believe Newt Gingrich is relevant again. These folks don’t blog; they scratch their missives on the bodies of their defeated opponents and hang them in the public square for all to see.
The question is, who will dominate the next iteration of the Republican Party? Will it be the Bitters or will new voices like Richardson show the G.O.P. a way out of the “Angry Old Man” forest?
St. Francis of a-sissy
Ya gotta figure that a guy this cute would come to his senses sooner or later!
mark
He’s under 35 he can see which way the wind is blowing.
with a little work he could be flipped…no…to Democrat
GranDiva
I think he looks kinda dorky, but if he can convince the moderates…
ggreen
As long as there are two bigots with undying hatred for the fags and butt sex the Republicans will pander to them. Nothing gets the Republicans and illiterate Americans as excited as anal sex between two men. The only thing they enjoy talking about more than GOD is gays taking up the ass. They know they could cover both ears so as not to hear the truth but the same cant be said for covering their a-hole.
ChristopherM
And he will find himself in the unemployment line in 5…4…3…2…
Joe Moag
Ah, the moral correction of big-time electoral losses. And, when the GOP somehow gets some seats back in Congress, this little shit will be back to gay-bashing like it’s second nature.
Michael W.
How on earth did John McCain manage to get 27% of the gay vote?
Joe Moag
@Michael W.: ‘Cuz he’s really, really HOT!
Charles J. Mueller
@Joe Moag:
lol
Ed
congrats for the beginning of your evolution but I’m not fooled. It’ll take more than political and calculative rhetoric to impress me.
konrad
“How on earth did John McCain manage to get 27% of the gay vote?”
A good question. I wonder if part of it is that those who were inclined to let exit pollsters know they are gay in 2008 but not in 2004 tend to be more Republican voting. Is the percentage calling themselves GLBT increasing?
Michael W.
I figured that might be it. Higher percentage of gays willing to admit their sexuality. But 8% is still an awfully dramatic swing, especially in this election where the Republican candidate lost year-to-year support in EVERY other demographic.
“particularly when gay men and women represent the only demographic in which John McCain bested President Bush (27% to 19% based on exit polling)”
John McCain lost Bush’s gains in every single demographic, from southern Evangelicals to northeastern suburban soccer moms. Every single demographic except homosexuals where he came out 8% higher.
Gregoire
Because many of those 8% were bitter Hillary supporters, plain and simple.
Eugene
According to Richardson, it is not currently politically expedient to bash gays. This means when it does become expedient, then it will be okay again. In other words, the GOP wants to be in power for the sake of being in power. Now why could I not have worked that out on my own?
LAhomo
I think the sample of Gay people in the exit polls wastoo small (199 I believe) to draw much of a conclusion from this “swing”. It was only one exit poll btw, and what was the margin of error?
Chris
Eugene, I understand the sentiment but I think we need to be open to people actually evolving on our issues or they never will. My surprise in the whole Prop 8 debate is how many people (majorities)in blue, purple, and very red states that support either Marriage or Civil Unions. That denial of rights for gay couples is a minority view in most states is amazing to me.
We need to get fully-equal
Civil Union laws passed in middle of the road states now, basic rights are what matter to most people.
Timothy
Konrad,
No, the percentage of gay voters has held pretty steady at 4% for the past several elections.
Likely, McCain did much better than Bush because McCain didn’t run any anti-gay ads and tried as much as possible to not publicize his anti-gay positions. He also had goodwill held over from his strong opposition to the FMA.
As much as some in our community don’t like it, there’s nothing intrinsic to being same-sex attracted that makes one want to adopt liberal fiscal or foreign policy positions. There is no Democrat gene tied to a gay gene.
The reason that so many gays vote Democrat is due to the Partys’ history and position on gay issues. If Republicans stop gay-bashing, the gay vote would be evenly split within a decade as each party sought to appeal to gay voters (see the UK for an example).
Juanita de Talmas
Because many of those 8% were bitter Hillary supporters, plain and simple.
LOL. That’s a ridiculous media-creation, not real life.
AJD
Oh, gee… Now that it’s no longer politically profitable to bash gays, he comes running to us with a bouquet of flowers.
blake
Uh, how about the obvious reason McCain got more gay votes? There was a little bit of racism involved with voters?
Over the course of the election, Queerty had regular posting by racist trolls like Churchill-y, Men-sar, and RCPV. They all used blatantly anti-black racism for their feeling against Obama.
The “gay community” is a microcosm of the rest of the world. The same prejudices exist.
GayGOP
As one of the conservatives that regularly reads this, I am pleased to see at least a step in the right direction by my party. As was said above, there is nothing that requires that gays be liberal. I certainly am not. I know plenty of other gays that are not.
John McCain picked up a decent swing to him from the gays for several reasons. McCain was not out there gay bashing. Even if it is for the wrong reasons, he did not support the FMA. His opposition to gay marriage is easily traceable not to religion, but to culture. Finally, many people in the LGBTQQIA community I talked to were very upset by Obama’s use of a couple prominent homophobes as voices throughout the years (See Donnie McClurkin and James Meeks). Perhaps that last is just Central Pennsylvania, but it is what it is.
Kid A
Too bad he says bashing gays is bad only because it’s a losing strategy, not because it’s wrong PERIOD.
James Richardson
Joe Moag, having neither met me in person nor read my work before, characterized me as a “little shit” just itching for the chance to, upon regaining majorities in the House and Senate, resume my favorite past-time: “gay-bashing.” I may, indeed, be a little shit – but not for the reason you allege.
Joe, are you so jaded that your reflexive response to those who seek to help you — conservative or liberal — are treated with suspicion and vitriol? How do you expect to grow your base of support in the South and Midwest when you respond as such?
My support for gay adoption and other gay rights issues are genuine, despite your unfounded misgivings of Republicans. Honestly, it’s not necessary to be such a twat.
Michael W.
Then I guess those gay Republicans who were turned off by the Rovian tactics of 2004 must really be some die-hard Republicans. I mean John McCain actually lost a percentage of hardcore Evangelicals, active-duty military members & veterans, and scaredy cat suburban soccer moms to a black, ultra-liberal one term Senator named Barack Hussein Obama. Sweeping gains across the board from some of the most dependable GOP demographics. One of the biggest electoral slam dunks. Yet somehow, someway, he made a tremendous gain of 8% with gays.
It’s truly mind boggling.
Bruno
As long as a solid 20-25% of this country is comprised of subservient sheep following their shepherds, the Republican Party will never change its position on LGBT rights radically.
greybat
@AJD: It’s a very SMALL bouquet…and note the carnations!
sparkle obama
@Michael W.:
>>How on earth did John McCain manage to get 27% of the gay vote?<<
all right girls, are you ready to picket?
where’s that little b*tch w*yne??
it’s all her fault!
oh yeah, obama won
ha ha, burn!
sparkle obama
@Michael W.: @blake:
>>Uh, how about the obvious reason McCain got more gay votes? There was a little bit of racism involved with voters?
…
The “gay community” is a microcosm of the rest of the world. The same prejudices exist.<<
own it, feel it.
sparkle obama
@GayGOP:
>>Finally, many people in the LGBTQQIA community I talked to were very upset by Obama’s use of a couple prominent homophobes as voices throughout the years (See Donnie McClurkin and James Meeks).<<
single-issue, negro-fearing drama queens.
trash need to check themselves b4 they wreck themselves.
times have changed, and so has the show.