Back in the 1990s, nearly a full year lapsed between Republican Congressman and candidates signing the Contract with America and Log Cabin endorsing that document promising government reform. The prominence Republicans gave to the Contract returning its focus to real reform and fiscal responsibility. Having gained such prominence from attacking the GOP in 1992, the then-leadership of the ostensibly Republican organization was wary of embracing the GOP, even when it was not focusing on social issues.
How thing have changed. Two days after presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney announced his selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate, the current Executive Director of Log Cabin, wrote in the Daily Caller that
Congressman Paul Ryan is a strong choice for vice president, and his addition to the GOP ticket will help Republican candidates up and down the ballot. As chairman of the House Budget Committee and author of the Republican “Path to Prosperity,” nobody is more qualified to articulate a conservative economic vision to restore the American economy and stimulate job creation.
Unfortunately, Cooper used his opinion piece to make the case for statist legislation, but the fact remains that he has openly embraced the “conservative economic vision” that Ryan has promoted. He even indicated on Facebook that he “liked” Paul Ryan for VP:
Clarke’s willingness to champion Republican politicians like Ryan and real conservative reforms has served to distinguish him from some of his predecessors. And Clarke is not the only right-of-center gay leader to herald Romney’s pick. Shortly after the Republican announced his choice, GOProud’s Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia called Ryan “a bold and inspired pick“:
Paul Ryan has been the architect of policies that would benefit all Americans, especially gay Americans.
Paul Ryan is one of the few political leaders anywhere in the country willing to tell the American people the truth about the unprecedented budget crisis we are facing, and – more importantly – willing to put forward bold plans to put this country back on the road to fiscal solvency. . . .
Like all Americans, gays and lesbians in this country are concerned with the out-of-control spending and growing mountains of unsustainable federal debt. . . . Gay Americans understand that without reforms – Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will go bankrupt. The future prosperity for all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation, is at stake if we do not act today.
Given that many gay Americans understand the imperative for the types of reforms Ryan has championed, come November, gay centrists may well join gay conservatives and libertarians in rallying ’round Romney/Ryan.
When Republicans focus on economic issues, they stand a greater chance of appealing to “non-traditional” Republican constituencies, including gay men and lesbians. Kudos to Clarke and Jimmy for quickly and clearly making the case for conservative reforms — and their (fetching) champion.
On the day of Palin’s announcement of McCain’s VP pick less than four years ago, the Log Cabin Republicans then Executive Director Patrick Sammon said, “Alaska Governor Sarah Palin can help Sen. McCain win this election by appealing to independent and young voters. She’s a mainstream Republican who will unite the Party and serve John McCain well as Vice President. Gov. Palin is an inclusive Republican who will help Sen. McCain appeal to gay and lesbian voters.”
Earlier this year, current Executive Director Clarke Cooper implored Romney to provide “unambiguous support for federal protections from workplace discrimination” for gays. Romney was unavailable for comment.
Keeping in mind that GOProud was created because LCR was considering to be too far to the left. So, naturally, if LCR endorses a Republican, with GOProud, it goes without saying.
Meanwhile, the Obama Party practices sexual orientation and gender harassment of Federal employees.
Do as we whine, not as we do.
ND30, perhaps you could interest BDB in posting on the matter.
Why are conservative gay organizations explicitly writing about ENDA and gay issues first and foremost? The most imperative thing the feds can do is balance the budget and second, protect us from foreign and domestic enemies.
I noticed the same thing. I have some sort of reaction to LaSalvia’s multiple use of “gay Americans,” but I’m not sure exactly what it is. At the very least, it strikes me as awkward and certainly off-putting.
First, No conservative should be supportive of ENDA. Period.
Second, it’s encouraging that although Ryan has a strongly culturally conservative record – that gay Republicans seem to be very accepting. Encouraging.
Unfortunately, some who scream “big tent” seem not to want that tent to include culturally conservatives, or gay people who happen to be culturally conservative.
Paul Ryan fits the mold quite well.
Also, just to add (if someone wants to merge this post with the last, please do) — I do not believe GOProud is a conservative organization. Both their founders openly support same-sex “marriage” and spend a great deal of their time speaking out against cultural conservatism and feeding the LWNJ talking pts.
Also, on a more serious note, I did not see a single statement from GOProud yesterday about the FRC shooting. Sad. Gay groups from GLAAD to LCR all condemned. It’s basic human reaction. GOProud thought it was beneath them to respond?
It’s videos like this that do not bode well for the homosexual/bisexual community………….ROFLMAO
The Worst Craft Idea Ever
http://www.buzzfeed.com/catesish/the-worst-craft-idea-ever
I gotta give ol’ Willard Mittens some (more) props for the Ryan pick. Policy-wise, it may be just about the best pick he could have made. Good on Romney!
rjligier: Love that vid… and totally unable to see what it is behind your comment; “gays” were the last thing I thought of, when I saw it (and sent it to some people).
Guess I just don’t get it. Romney is not a conservative, Ryan is “conservative leaning” but not what I would call a conservative. Why is the gay community worried at all? The most that could happen with these two in charge is that nothing changes for gays. Meanwhile, we are well into a lost decade economically and if Obama is re-elected we will likely see two lost decades.
Actually Richard we are almost 13 years into the “Lost Decade.” Looking at the S&P 500 long term chart: http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=%5EGSPC+Interactive#symbol=^gspc;range=my;compare=;indicator=volume;charttype=area;crosshair=on;ohlcvalues=0;logscale=off;source=undefined; The first big peak is January 2000. The second is October 2007. Since Jan. 2000 we have done nothing but move sideways – hence “The Lost Decade.”
You are correct about what a second Obama term would do to our econopmy. In fact, a second term would pretty much end any chance of a recovery. We would slip into the Greek/Spain/Portugal scenario. I dont think we would ever really recover. The Europeans have been screwing around with thair version of socialism for 70+ years. They are finally getting to their “end game” now, which will linger for 5-10 more years. If we move in that direction, which is exactly where Obama is headed, I don’t think it is resolved in this century.
Listened to an interview with Ryan and some top conservative economists, and to a man each one said we have this “ONE” chance to stop the inevitable. If we don’t remove Obama, they all agreed we do go over that proverbial cliff.
For whatever reason there is. Whether it be social, economic, racial or political, we all have to strive to defeat Obama. The alternative is simply unacceptable.