Earlier today, Log Cabin’s National Board announced that it had selected interim organization head Patrick Sammon as its new President. While I’m delighted that someone other that Patrick Guerriero is heading up this ostensibly Republican organization, I’m concerned that the group’s new leader lacks any background in Republican politics.
While Log Cabin touts Sammon’s media experience and appearances in the biography posted on its web-site, it does not indicate that he has had any prior political experience, save his work for Log Cabin itself and its affiliated non-partisan educational foundation, the Liberty Education Forum.
Commenting on his selection, Sammon said:
Log Cabin’s mission is more important than ever before. I will provide a strong voice for those in our Party who believe the GOP can return to power by pursuing a unifying and inclusive conservative agenda that attracts voters from both the center and the right.
I hope that in coming days, he fleshes out what he believes that agenda is. I am, however, concerned that like his predecessor, he will focus more on appealing to the left-leaning gay groups in Washington, D.C. rather than to conservative and Republican organizations in our nation’s capital — and across the country.
No sooner did I receive word of Sammon’s selection that I learned that Joe Solmonese, president of the liberal Human Rights Campaign (HRC), looked forward to working with Sammon “for our community’s top legislative agenda.” To be sure, this may be just standard boilerplate, welcoming the selection of the new leader of a gay organization, but it reminds us of the past cozy relationship between Log Cabin and HRC. Let’s hope that Patrick Sammon doesn’t accept Joe Solmonese’s attempt to define our community’s legislative agenda and dares to differ from Solmonese on issues affecting gay people.
Indeed, if Patrick Sammon really wants to establish himself as a conservative leader — and to help return the GOP to its small government roots — he would distinguish Log Cabin from other gay groups by coming out against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). While he would make clear that he believes government agencies should not discriminate and that discrimination against gays is wrong, he would affirm the conservative principle that the federal government shouldn’t interfere with the personnel decisions of private companies.
Thus, by coming out against ENDA, the leader of Log Cabin would help define gay Republicans as true conservatives who don’t favor turning to the government to seek solutions to the problems our community faces. In not pushing for legislation which would ostensibly benefit our community, we can better stand up for the small-government principles which our party appears to have abandoned in recent years. Log Cabin would thus set an example for other conservative and Republican groups, encouraging them to follow suit in opposing legislation which would benefit their constituencies by expanding the size and scope of the federal government.
And Log Cabin would strengthen its case against those social conservatives who seek legislation to advance their pet causes, reminding that we seek to live our lives free or state interference and respect their rights to do so as well. Log Cabin would take the lead in promoting a true return to the vision of Ronald Reagan where individuals seek solutions in their own communities — and through private institutions — rather than in lobbying for state action.
While I am ever optimistic, I doubt Patrick Sammon will take such a bold step. But, perhaps, he will find some other way of distinguishing Log Cabin’s agenda from that of other gay groups and put forward a conservative vision on gay issues which accords with the principles of our party.
I will be paying close attention to his initial actions and statements now that he had officially taken the helm of Log Cabin. I hope that he makes an effort to reach out to Republican elected officials as well as conservatives leaders in the various think tanks and advocacy organizations in our nation’s capital.
He should approach the national gay groups with caution, recognizing that many of these groups’ leaders see their work as part of some broad “progressive” movement. While he should be ever cordial to these leaders, he must recognize that they are, by and large adversaries of Republicans, even gay ones.
Given Patrick Sammon’s media background, it seems Log Cabin’s board is more interested in playing to the media than to the GOP. I hope I’m wrong. While Patrick does seem to be an accomplished young man, his resume shows little evidence that he has the stuff to lead a Republican organization.
The test is not in his background, but in his actions. And while I am, at this point, skeptical, I will reserve judgment and wish him the best of success in his new responsibilities. I will continue to make my views known, both as a blogger and a member of Log Cabin. And will continue to hope, perhaps naively so, that Log Cabin can be a bold voice for conservative principles, the ideas of Ronald Reagan, as its new leader reaches out to his two audiences, neither particularly friendly to gay Republicans.
No wonder, in an e-mail to me, one reader commented that Log Cabin’s president has a “thankless job.” I recognize the difficulty of the task which lies ahead for Patrick Sammon. While I may be somewhat critical of the selection of Log Cabin’s new leader, I do believe Mr. Sammon is up to the challenge.
– B. Daniel Blatt (GayPatriotWest@aol.com)
ADDENDUM. Over at The Malcontent, Matt offers his thoughts on Sammon’s selections and the general thrust of his observations is similar to my own.
Guerriero left such a “poisoned well” with the national GOP that Sammon is indeed up for a real challange. I wish him well but with the GOP in the minority, no marriage amendment to raise money on and with national folks raising $ for GOP presidential candidates I can’t see any compelling reason to give to lcr national – (local chapers deserve a LOT of support) good luck putting the pieces back together again Patrick! I don’t envy you. nbb
Having met Patrick Sammons at a pre-election gathering for Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R) last month and having an extended opportunity to chat with him, I was favorably impressed. The sense I got was that he’ll be more focused on the organization, and less on being “loved” by the other G/L groups; which I think was a flaw in Patrick Guerriero’s agenda. I think he’s much more focused on the chapters and drawing wider Republican support at the Grassroots, including getting more chapters started and organized. That he is NOT a professional politician I think may be a good thing….politicians want and need to be “loved”…leaders need to make decisions and be the “public face” of the organization.
The LCR has a number of organizational and financial glitches that need addressing, and a number of fences to be mended with the local and state chapters. I just wish that in light of the National Board’s choice they had done so months ago; rather than leaving the postion of President open for so long a time.
I agree with Ted B. I have only met him briefly at last springs LCR convention but he comes across more as a workhorse than a showhorse, unless PG (imho). The rumor I heard about Robert Traynham coming aboard as director was scary. I think his perceived reputation would have sunk us. Thank goodness it was just a rumor. Patrick Sammon is a good guy.
mmmm…perhaps these folks leave the Log Cabin Club because they realize that they’re in such a losing battle. yeah, there are the pockets of acceptance, but on a national scale, the GOP just wants gays to go away. Be honest, the GOP brought people to the polls in droves using anti-gay marriage ammendments in the last few elections. Wonder what touchstone topic of hatred they’ll use now that the well on that issue has pretty much dried up.
The GayLeft advocacy community in DC and PG did a fab job at neutralizing the LC(R) and discrediting it as a legitimate, singular gay GOP voice within the Party. Unless McCain or Giuliani or Romney do some highlighted visits to LC(R) events, the group will remain in the meaningless parentheses of political influence.
Like the Ripon Republicans, the LC(R) is a dinosaur in the vestiges of its last gasping throes, impotent and marginalized to the point that no one will notice its inescapable death. Sammon may be good –but he’s no magician. No amount of heavy lifting and hard slogging will vitiate the “poisoned well” left behind by PG.
Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure, Matt.
LCR at this point is kind of like a grand old house that, over time and through the actions of negligent owners who were obsessed with being “trendy” rather than doing regular maintenance, has become run-down, dilapidated, and rickety.
Many people were looking to find a rock star to move in and slap on a fresh coat of paint.
But Sammon sounds like the kind of guy who can carry out what LCR, in my humble opinion, needs most; a good, thorough foundation repair and housecleaning.
Mind you, there are indeed a lot of cracks and spiderwebs to be dealt with, as well as disaffected neighbors that are going to immediately assume that a paintbrush seen outdoors means the whole place will be hot pink by morning. However, the bones of the place are solid, it’s a great design, and it’s in a wonderful location. All it needs is unsexy TLC and elbow grease, and it will skyrocket in value.
Patrick Sammon is the president of LCR. He answers to a board of directors. He does not set policy. The support for EDNA is well established and the concepts of non-discriminaition against gays and lesbians is becoming the “norm”. The debate at LCR to support EDNA which would put gays and lesbians on equal footing with racial minorities when it comes to employment is over. That ship has sailed.
Sammon’s better looking than Guerriero. (Guerriero looks like a liberal terrorist.)
Well, at least Log Cabin is trying to Support President Bush to WIN the Global War on Terrorism by allowing all qualified Americans, including non-heterosexuals, to serve in our military.
They deserve thanks for that. And Operation Yellow Elephant thanks them.
Of course, the least the College and Young Republicans can do is support repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Nobody they know is sharing a shower, so what do they care?