Brownback-ing Out

Sam Brownback calls it quits.

After disappointing poll numbers that showed him at one percent, lackluster fund-raising and failure to create any traction, anti-gay social conservative and Republican presidential candidate throws in the towel. Excellent analysis at Colorado Confidential:

Yet Brownback was sometimes described, along with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, as standing one of the better chances to get the blessing of [James] Dobson—whose influence on the religious right has inspired high-office seekers to seek his blessing for more than 12 years.

For those who are keeping track, so far Dobson has so far eliminated Rudy Giuliani ("an unapologetic supporter of abortion on demand"), John McCain ("under no circumstances") and Fred Thompson ("Not for me, my brothers. Not for me!"). Newt Gingrich, who appeared to be a strong Dobson possibility, is out of the race.

Brownback will make the formal announcement tomorrow, the same day he was scheduled to join the other Republican candidates at the "Value Voters" summit in Washington sponsored by Christian right theocrats such Dobson's Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council. "With Brownback out, Dobson has six Republicans left to pick from: Huckabee, Tom Tancredo, Mitt Romney, Alan Keyes, Duncan Hunter and Ron Paul."

Although he is one of the senate's more conservative members, the Kansas Republican has long shown moderation on racial issues and is one of the leading voices for American intervention in Darfur. The senator was also one of the five lower tier GOP candidates who participated in the recent PBS debate on issues related to the black community, saying it was a "disgrace" the top tier Republicans did not appear.

More San Brownback HERE.

Brownback Out, Dobson 6 to Choose From [CO Confidential]
Brownback Set to Drop Bid [CNN]

Some Background ...
Audience Boos Brownback [R20]
Brownback to Introduce Apology for Slavery [R20]
News: Hillary Internet Chats, Richardson, Brownback [R20]
News: Black Gay Evangelicals, Brownback [R20]
Anti-Gay Brownback Considers Presidential Bid [R20]
Giuliani to Speak at Anti-Gay "Values Voters" Summit [R20]
Republican Candidates Skip Black Voters Debate [R20]
Thompson, Leading GOP Candidates Refuse Debate [R20]
Thompson is "Right with God" But Not Churchgoer [R20]
This is the One Photo the Republican Party ... [R20]
News: UCC Slams Fundies [R20]
James Dobson: Just Say "No" to Giuliani [R20]
Focus on the Family Will Not Support Thompson [R20]

Comments

[Derrick from Philly]

Well, of course, as a flaming liberal, I had no use for Brownback. But it's interesting, Rod mentioned that Brownback didn't have such a horrible record on issues of race and civil rights. That puzzled me. Yesterday, on Pam's HOuse Blend, Pam posted a photograph of Brownback when he was around 18 years old. That Afro he had looked REAL--not teased up. Now, y'all know I'm from the old school of American racial history. Senator Brownback's realistic Afro sorta' answered my question about his racial politics. ALTHOUGH, I know that having that "one drop" can cause some(maybe most) to go in the opposite direction of having a Ku Klux Klan type mentality. Some say that was the case with J. Edgar Hoover.

Well, maybe I've let my imagination go wild. I'd rather Brad Pitt was "passing"--his wife sure looks it.

[Alex]

*Side Eyes that title*

ewwwwwwwww.

But yay?

[Luther]

While I would not have voted for him, and at this point can see voting for anyone running, I do have respect for him on the Darfur issue that many in this country have ignored, from Bush to the rest of DC.

And, while he is anti-gay to the point of his sanity, at least he isn't as anti-black as the rest of the "front runners" are, especially good old boy Rudy.