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  • « The Week on GNW (Sept. 21-28) | Main | Sarah Palin on Roe vs. Wade »

    October 01, 2008

    McCain speaks to gay America

    Posted by: Kevin

    The Washington Blade, which Chris used to run, has published an interview with Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

    It will probably not change a single gay Democratic vote, and frankly that doesn't matter.  (And the partisan vipers who will do all they can to shout down the meaning of this interview might as well save their breath.)  It will, however, energize the gay GOP vote and maybe some who are in the middle.  His openness to a change in "don't ask, don't tell" is a very welcome public statement of something he's been saying in private for at least ten years.  His support for Proposition 8 in California, even in the context of his opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment, is as disappointing as John Kerry's support for a similar measure in Missouri in 2004. 

    But the historical importance of this interview as a whole - the milestones it still contains - goes far beyond this election, one in which (to be honest) the gay vote will probably not be a factor at all.

    This interview is real progress.  Compare it with the Republican campaigns of 2004, 2000, 1996 and especially 1992, and it is unmistakable that our nation has once again taken a step forward.  The bar is higher for the GOP going forward.  And it would never have been possible without the steadfast, unbending tenacity of Log Cabin Republicans to ignore all the caterwauling and keep pushing forward.

    More later.

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    Comments

    1. Marty on Oct 1, 2008 4:33:46 PM:

      I am having a hard time believing this interview is anything but the campaign having some flunky type up talking points. If this really came from McCain himself, I will be shocked.

    1. Chuck on Oct 1, 2008 6:13:23 PM:

      As I understood the interview his openness to change DADT is entirely contingent on the military leadership first changing their opinion of DADT. Given the odds against that precondition coming to pass in the next four or eight years, I don't see how his position matters at all.

    1. Lucrece on Oct 1, 2008 9:18:32 PM:

      "Partisan vipers." Funny how you substitute partisan for Democrats. I don't really understand your disdain for partisan individuals, considering your own extremely partisan behavior.

      None of his anti-gay stances have changed. He still promoted Prop. 8. What you should have meant that this won't please any "gay Democrats" is that this won't please anyone lacking the miserable standards you've set for the Republican party.

    1. Doug on Oct 1, 2008 9:36:32 PM:

      Given that the Straight Talk Express of 2000 has driven into a ditch and that McCain has now flip-flopped on almost every single issue to date I don't believe a single word he says. I would bet a lot of money that McCain never even saw the questions let alone actually answering them.

    1. Strict Scrutiny on Oct 1, 2008 11:47:20 PM:

      The answers McCain submitted were intentionally evasive on several important issues and disheartening to say the least. If gay GOPers are "energized" simply because McCain will actually talk to them, that's pretty pathetic.

      It's kinda like the battered wife who dissolves into tears of happiness because her abusive husband said she looked nice one morning. Yeah, what a milestone. Be sure to write that in your diary.

    1. Susan on Oct 2, 2008 1:21:49 AM:

      "... this election, one in which (to be honest) the gay vote will probably not be a factor at all."

      I don't buy that. Exercising your right to vote makes you a factor. Making campaign contributions makes you a factor. Here in Iowa, we have a state that is leaning toward the light in terms of civil rights for every citizen. We have two congressional seats still held by GOP reps. One of them, especially, is the crocodile's belly in terms of his views on pretty much everything, but gay marriage and immigrants are his raison d'hatred. Could the gay vote and/or gay contributions make a difference? Sure. hublercongress.com

    1. Matt on Oct 2, 2008 4:18:52 PM:

      You people who say "McCain probably didn't even see the questions" are hilarious because it shows just how naive you are about campaigns. Presidential candidates have huge staffs who help them with everything. They practically don't fart unless the gas comes out someone's ass. But that doesn't mean the answers don't have his imprimatur, blessing, etc. (I'm certain he signed off on this in some respect; his exact personal level of involvement is irrelevant, unless the campaign later disavows any of it.)

      In other words, debate his words on their merits, not on whether they actually come from him, because they do.

      I also find it interesting, in and of itself, that McCain-Palin is buying ads in the "Gay Ad Network" that appear on this very blog. Given how so many Republicans have liked to pretend that gays don't even exist, I think it's good to see signs like this -- even using the word "gay" in those answers is something George Bush never could bring himself to do.

    1. Scott on Oct 3, 2008 12:28:02 PM:

      John McCain has NO respect for gay people. None.
      McCain answered:

      NO on marriage for same-sex couples
      NO on civil unions for same-sex couples
      NO on repealing DOMA
      NO on hate crime laws for LGBT people
      NO on repealing DADT
      NO on anti-discrimination laws for LGBT people
      NO on same-sex couples adopting children
      NO to any administrator handling HIV/ AIDS in America
      NO to gay people in the Boy Scouts

      He answered no on everything and he expects gay people to vote for him? I do not accept crums. Being interviewed by a gay magazine doesn't sway me. He's not going to get a pat on the back for doing it. Gay Americans are Americans too and deserve to have the candidates talk to them and with them.

      California, Vote NO on Proposition 8
      Equality for All http://tinyurl.com/6ddtf5
      Equality California http://tinyurl.com/5dydop

      Arizona, Vote NO on Proposition 102
      Vote NO on Prop 102 http://www.votenoprop102.com/

      Florida, Vote NO on Proposition 2
      Say NO 2 http://tinyurl.com/4mdsjj

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