With the Stonewall Democrats attacking anything our president says or does (whether or not it is related to gay issues), with HRC and NGLTF obsessed with abortion and with Log Cabin issuing bromides or blathering on about the radical right hijacking the GOP, it’s left to bloggers to take on Democrats who pander to people’s prejudices. In an e-mail this morning, blogger Eva Young alerted me to this post which reports that Tim Kaine, the Democratic nominee for Governor in the Old Dominion has used a radio spot to accuse Jerry Kilgore, his Republican opponent, of “not being straight.”
As Mike Slaven notes in an editorial in the University of Virginia’s Cavalier Daily, “The Kaine camp fails to add the obligatory “with voters;” the ad simply observes, “Jerry Kilgore is not being straight,” period.” Kilgore, married with two daughters, has what some have called a “gay-sounding” voice (whatever that is) and has been described as effeminate.
If a Republican released an ad claiming that a Democrat with a similar voice and appearance was “not being straight,” you can be sure that all the leading gay organizations (including Log Cabin) would be taking him to task. Yet, today, all these groups are silent. If it weren’t for bloggers like Eva Young and Pam Spaulding, we would likely not hear of this anti-gay pandering.
Since LCR spends more time attacking the party to which it allegedly supports than it does to taking on the opposing political party, I expect them to maintain their silence on this. And I don’t think it will upset HRC or NGLTF too much either. They seem to see themselves as part of a broad “progressive” movement which defines Republicans as the enemy and excuses all kinds of behavior among Democrats, even actions and statements which play to anti-gay prejudices.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com
UPDATE: Reading this post on GayOrbit, I realized that I had previously read about Democratic attempts to insinuate that Kilgore is gay. Back in April, on his blog, my friend Rick Sincere wrote that Kaine supporters would use innuendo to raise doubts “in voters’ minds about . . . Kilgore’s sexual orientation.” Check it out here!
Hypocrisy from the left? I’m shocked, I tell you, simply shocked!
//not shocked
Dan,
With all that is going on in the conservative and republican world, THIS is the post you find most needing of examination? It isn’t even interesting.
How trivial.
Hmmm. . . . Chandler, seems you’re only interested in those things going on in the conservative and Republican world and think the partisanship of gay organizations trivial. I wonder then why you spend so much time then reading this blog and commenting to our posts.
Dan,
I’m a conservative-to-centrist who is a member of the Stonewall Democrats. One thing that I have been impressed with is that the National Stonewall Democrats specifically focus critiques on gay issues (unlike NGLTF). I don’t think you would be able to back up your claim.
And another thing…you are blasting a Democrat for releasing an ad saying that the Republican is lying and “not being straight” because some people think he looks and talks like he is gay? You’re saying you believe Kilgore acts gay?
Thats kind of a big leap, and it ignores much deeper issues and problems – like Jerry Kilgore running vicious anti-gay ads calling for Virginia to take away the children of gay couples. I would be more upset with that.
#2 – Ah, we hit at the truth at last. Gay baiting doesn’t really matter on principle. It’s not terribly bothersome. When democrats whine about it, it is faux outrage, feigned offense, a bit of political theater and croccodile tears.
This we knew. Glad Chandler is here to clear that up. I suppose the rest of us can be free to discard his outrage in the future as insincere.
#5 – Don’t be disingenuous. The man is flaming. At issue is not any effeminate mannerisms, but whether or not being “stereotypically gay” is a valid foundation for intimating that someone is a weak person. Are effeminate gay men intrinsically weak and unworthy of leadership?
That is the heart of the attack, and it should be worthy of condemnation and comment. Interesting, no matter how bad a Democrat is, “Republicans are worse!” is always the rationale to brush the Left’s bad behavior away.
There’s some precedent for this. Democrat Senator Max Baucus portrayed his Republican opponent as a swishy hairdresser. Even Andrianna Sullington was either “Appalled” or “chagrined” at Baucus’s gay-baiting … probably appalled. But it didn’t rise to the level of “Gobsmackingly vile.”
Mike, in #5, I’m suggesting that had the GOP released a similar ad, Democrats would be raising a stink–especially given all the stuff I have seen on various web-sites speculating about Kilgore’s sexuality.
And I specifically mention the National Stonewall Democrats publicly criticising Baucus. In fact, I think they were the only group to do so.
And GPW, as far as your point — like the fake fliers Republians are passing around in Virginia gay-baiting a State Assembly candidate because she’s lesbian? Like that? V The K makes an interesting point. You haven’t.
Oh, please, I’ve never made an interesting point in my life. It’s slander. Slander! I says!
“Fake” in what sense……saying publicly that she’s a lesbian?
Moreover, Mike, maybe you can show us one of the greatest mysteries of modern times….what ever happened to Stonewall’s press release condemning this?
Sen. John Kerry said in an interview published yesterday that he would have voted for the gay-marriage ban passed overwhelmingly this week by Missouri voters. The Democratic presidential nominee, who spent parts of two days stumping across the state, told The Kansas City Star the ballot measure was the same as one his home state of Massachusetts passed a few years ago. Kerry supported that measure.
Mike,
Concerning comment no. 5, could you please describe the viciousness of the ads in question ? While I am not (repeated for those who don’t completly read my comments, not) for taking away the children of gay couples, I wonder what can be visious about them. Or is the idea that someone can have a different opinion ?
Somehow I think that many of you have your “gay-offensive meter” rheostat set WAY to high. In a political environment “not being straight” has only one connotation, it’s an accusation tat the target is or has been lying via omission. While we is the gay community use “straight” to refer to “them”, the breeders don’t use it as a code-word for themselves.
#2
Dan,
Hope springs eternal.
As for this blog in general, it’s like eating fried pork rinds.
You know it is wrong, almost by definition, but they’re addictive.
Ted, I might agree with you, but for the ommission (as noted by the Cavalier Daily editorialist) of the words “with voters.”
And I might not have raised such a ruckus if we were not accustomed to such accusations from the left.
#14
What was that on the House floor, I think, about a year or two ago where the two Congressmen were sparring and one called the other a fairy or a fruitloop or something? I don’t think he ever apologized for that either.
Somebody help me out here.
17, you thinking of Republican Dick Armey (Texas, where else?) calling Democrat Barney Frank (MA) “Barney Fag”?
Pussy in #18, Dick Armey did the right thing and apologized for his juvenile remark.
How long did it take Armey to apologize GayPatriotWest? Better yet, why did he say it in the first place? Further, why do you so easily forgive a direct and awesomely bigoted GOP slur, but spend a whole day here trying to make something of a remark by a Democrat that’s nothing more than a Southern expression, “he’s not being straight” — everybody in the South knows what that means — means someone is not leveling.
I live in Virginia and am no fan of Jerry Kilgore, but this is the first time I’ve heard of him being gay. I just thought the “not being straight” thing referred to his increasingly melodramatic and desperate advertising campaign.
Good post Dan. But were you at all distressed by Pam’s House Blend offering
“If you have some factual information about Kilgore being a gay hypocrite and not just a homo-bigot with a sissy-boy voice, then out the guy. If you want to just point-blank ask the man if he’s gay, do it.”
“…then out the guy”? Really?
What a foul, gutter-styled, disgusting political dirty tricks operation to perform. Oh, MikeRogers is doing it daily over on his blogbloat.
Just wait, in short order, the GayLeft will surpass anything prior as the Queens of Political Dirty Tricks. The gay community has to get as far away as possible as quickly as possible and discredit these purveyors of sleaze in our community.
The ends do not (take note chandler and monty and pussy and reader) justify the means.
#15, Chandler… thanks. That’s an image I don’t need –you eating fried pork rinds in your pj’s blogging. Actually, trailerboi, all pork rinds are fried except the ones given to dogs to gnaw on… have you been eaten unfried pork rinds too? No wonder you tend to be a bit ‘ornery at times… it’s the anxiety from gnawing on chew toys intended for dogs.
Seems the gay patriots are bringing up their JVs here to argue against the outing of their bigoted right wingers. What is all this adoration of the closet we see here? Gay patriots are so 19th Century in that regard.
And No. 21, good to see you here again! You’ve become quite a hit. Seems all the gay patriots just love Pussy.
QueerP, PussyP, Chandler or whatever handle you care to use… it isn’t an adoration of the closet… it’s called a Right To Privacy. You really need to start paying attention to the talking points from the HRC, DNC, NOW and other GayLeft allies you succor –Right to Privacy, to them, is paramount.
Now let’s see… you guys argue that govt has no legitimate business telling you what you can do in your bedroom with 1-2-3-4-5 consenting adults, but you’re quick to out someone? Nawh, THAT’s the hypocrisy. Raw, pure, unfiltered.
It’s not about a closet. It’s about the Right to Privacy you hold exists in the Constitution. And besmirtching a civil standard of political conduct, debate and advocacy which abounds in our gay community.
Moreover, Matt, isn’t it amazing how people like Queer Patriot demand the outing of hypocrites, but not when they’re Democrats?
#22 pretty much sums up my feelings about Kaine’s ad.
I am far more concerned about the Virginia Republican Party’ s anti-gay policies, especially in the Virginia legislature, where the goals have been prohibiting benefits for partners, adoption, etc.
And, Dan, the Log Cobin Republicans should be commended, not ridiculed, for campaigning against the stranglehold the religious right has on our party — a party that once fought for individual freedoms.
Pussy in #21–As I recall, Armey apologized the same day he made the statement.
And where did I say I forgave Armey so easily? All I did was note that he apologized and called his remark “juvenile.” But, since you bring the matter up. We Jews are taught that if someone admits his wrong and fails to repeat it, he has done Teshuvah and should be forgiven. Unless you have evidence that Armey made such slurs in the past decade, I forgive him. But, it’s really not in my power to forgive him. That belongs to Mr. Frank. Armey owed that Democrat an apology — and delivered it.
Let me stress as well that I would not have posted this piece had the Kaine ad said “He’s not being straight with voters” or some other similar qualification.
And no, Michigan-Matt in #23, I don’t favor “outing” Kilgore. (I took Pam’s comment to be more rhetorical than anything else.)
And QP in #25, this blog has long opposed “outing,” but does not favor any “adoration of the closet.” It’s up to each individual to decide how to live his life. I have chosen to live openly as a gay man and encourage my gay & lesbian friends to do the same, but recognize that each has to deal with his sexuality is his own way, at his own pace.
Jack in #29, I might commend Log Cabin for campaigning against the religious right’s alleged stranglehold over our party, if they did not mimic the rhetoric of some left-wing gay organizations in doing so. They need to understand that they’re going to have to work with social conservatives in a broad coalition. The GOP is not going to kick out (or insult) 20% of its base.
Log Cabin also needs to criticize the left-wing stranglehold on gay organizations. And spend more time criticizing Democrats than they do attacking their own party, it’s leaders and advocates.
And little Kenny Mehlman sent me this about The Virginia is for Haters State:
============
October 19, 2005
Dear Member,
With the gubernatorial election coming down to the wire in Virginia, Jerry Kilgore needs your help.
Republicans across the nation are rallying to Jerry Kilgore’s side in the campaign’s final weeks. A few weeks ago on Super Saturday, more than 9,000 of you volunteered to make phone calls on behalf of Jerry’s campaign.
Now, I’m asking you to take the next step: Adopt a Precinct.
Here’s how it works: sign up, and we’ll email you a list of 25 voters in one Virginia community. You’ll call those voters to ask them to support Jerry Kilgore. One week before Election Day, we’ll e-mail you the list of supporters you’ve identified so you can contact them and remind them to vote. We’ll give you everything you’ll need to be successful, including detailed instructions and a chance to learn about the issues at stake in this election. It’s easy – and critical to make sure we turn out Jerry’s supporters on Election Day.
With only a few weeks left before Election Day, this is a great opportunity for everyone in the Republican family to pitch in to help our friend, Jerry Kilgore. Last year, your grassroots efforts helped re-elect President Bush. This campaign is very, very close. By adopting a precinct, you can help elect Jerry Kilgore and continue our Party’s progress.
Sincerely,
Ken Mehlman
Chairman, Republican National Committee
P.S. I hope I can count on your help in this important “Adopt-a-Precinct” campaign. Click here to get your list of voters.
===========
Such devotion.
I had the pleasure of being in Alexandria, VA last weekend (and will be there next weekend), and saw part of the gubernatorial debate between Kaine and Kilgore, at least as much as I could stomach. Same type of garbage that we get to witness in NJ and at the national level. Anyway, maybe my gaydar is way off, but Kilgore didn’t ping or give me much reason to believe he was gay any more than anyone else, and I didn’t find his voice particularly effeminate or whatever. Sounds like straw grasping to me.
It looks like it’s going to be a close one. Go Kaine!