In last week’s “Inclusion WEST,” Log Cabin’s West Coast e-mail, its editors included a blurb noting that one of its members serves on a committee of Hillary Clinton backers:
Gay General — The Closet & Member of Log Cabin
Made famous by CNN/YouTube debate, Kerr seeks repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’During the 43 years Brig. Gen. Keith Kerr served in the military, he didn’t so much lie about his sexual orientation as he let others draw conclusions from intentionally vague statements. [snip] Kerr told Southern Voice he served silently for most of his military career. “I didn’t bring it up,†he said. [regarding his YouTube] question] “What happened was in April or May of 2007, one of my friends called and asked me if I would add my name to the list of veterans for Hillary, and I said ‘yes’ because I knew she supported a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’†Kerr said. “I totally forgot about that at the time I submitted the YouTube question. I probably belong to 12 or 14 other organizations. As a matter of fact, I’m still a member of the Log Cabins Republicans.â€
http://www.southernvoice.com/2008/3-21/news/localnews/8296.cfm
(Bold and italics in original.)
While Kerr may have forgotten that he had agreed to add his name to a list of veterans supporting the Democratic presidential contender, he never asked to have it removed. This March 1, 2008 release from the former First Lady’s campaign includes him in a list of “Flag Officers Endorsing Hillary Clinton for President and Commander-in-Chief.”
Twenty-five days later, Log Cabin boasts that he’s a member of Log Cabin. Seems Log Cabin is so delighted to get media recognition that it would advertise this Clinton supporter’s membership in the organization.
If we could introduce resolutions at Log Cabin’s convention this week, I would pen one rescinding the membership of anyone in the organization who publicly endorses the candidacy or joins or the campaign a Democratic candidate in a contested partisan election where a Republican is running.
I may need to tweak the language, so it’s clear that if a member supported a Democrat and told friends about that support (but did not otherwise advertise the support), he would not forfeit the membership. Or further define public endorsement. By it, I mean statement in a newspaper on a blog (as a post) or at the podium of a public meeting. (I might further want to tweak it to allow for endorsements of non-Republican candidates in unusual races like the 2006 Connecticut Senate race.)
The language would allow a member to refrain from endorsing the Republican candidate or choosing to vote against him.
If Log Cabin is serious about being a Republican organization, it will revoke Kerr’s membership or ask him to remove his name from the list of “Flag Officers” supporting Mrs. Clinton.
I am a conservative, not specifically a Republican. And I have to friends stated support of Democrats if the Republican’s purpose in being elected is to make his or her platform anti-gay.
I think Mr.Kerr can join the group even if he is a Democrat, but he would have no voting rights for chapter leadership.
I’m not a member of LCR, but I would have a hard time accepting rules that would forbid me from endorsing a Democrat. There are too many anti-gay Republicans for me to say that I’d never endorse a Dem.
I find it interesting that Kerr is supporting Clinton because of the DADT issue. I wonder how he feels about Clinton’s other policies? Come election time, I’ll be playing another rousing game of "the lesser of two evils."
Hey cool! I can blockquote again!!!
Anyhoo, so what if Republicans swore how much they love you for money/votes, while constantly legislating against you, would you vote for them?
If they whispered sweet nothings into my ear while doing it, sure, I’d vote for them. I’m a sucker for pretty words.
I would argue that LCR members be allowed to support whomever they wish, but that LCR people who are in a committee or leadership position need to relinquish that if they decide to work for or endorse another campaign.
What one might do is scrutinize the fact that Kerr was required to update his security clearance more than a few times after his ‘self-discovery’ and that as a general officer he, might very well likely have, observed other more honest people either resign or get removed from the military; or worse suicided for lack of good counsel.
“Kerr’s quiet, private life came to an end in 2003 when he stepped out of the closet in a press conference with another general and a rear admiral to protest the DADT policy that prohibits gays from serving openly.”
How convenient for the General to prance out once he obtained his retirement. And then to announce himself as a member of the ‘Mary Todd Lincoln Brigade’? Purely a legend to all who don’t ask, but if the truth were told?
I agree with the comment that an officer or board member of LCR might be required to toe the line, but I think an ordinary member should have the right to stray off the reservation if there is a Republican candidate he or she, in good consience, cannot support.
I thought the idea of loyalty oaths was decided long ago.
I might change my mind between now and November, but as it stands today if I face a choice between Obama and McCain I will skip the presidential part of the ballot. But I expect to vote Republican down the rest of the ballot. (As I’ve written before, on almost every so-called social issue Senator McCain and I are in opposite camps, especially when it comes to the selection of judges for the federal bench and justices on the Supreme Court.)
Trace, did you even read the post? I made clear that the issue was public support, as in serving on the campaign of a Democrat, but making sure we don’t prevent people from privately supporting non-Republican candidates.
Perhaps, I would be less vehement on this issue if Log Cabin had a stronger record of supporting Republican candidates — and criticizing Democratic ones.
Dan, #9, I’m not the only one here who disagreed with you. I was agreeing with North Dallas 30.
If an officer or board member of Log Cabin Republicans wants to work in a Democratic campaign or publicly endorse a Democratic candidate, he or she should relinquish his or her position in LCR. But if an ordinary member wants to thusly support a Democrat it should not affect his or her membership in LCR.
I might add that I think Log Cabin Republicans did make a mistake to publicize the fact that General Kerr is a member of LCR.
[Actually, Trace, your comments and those of others on this thread may have swayed me a bit on this issue. I might tweak my resolution further to limit it to officers (at the national and club levels) from endorsing or serving on campaign committees (even honorary ones) of Democratic candidates, but would “strongly discourage” members from doing so and saying such activity could prevent their election to office in the organization and endorsement by the organization should they run for public office.
So, thanks for offering your criticism in a civil manner, encourage the likelihood that I would take your ideas seriously. As to your last paragraph, glad we agree. –Dan]