Rod 2.0:Beta

Former McCain Strategist Now Supports Same-Sex Marriage

Steve Schmidt, former chief strategist for the John McCain campaign, says he is "personally supportive" of same-sex marriage rights. In an interview with the Washington Blade, the campaign strategist urges the GOP to be more inclusive of gays and lesbians and says Americans are "troubled" when they see the Republican Party "trying to stigmatize" the gay community.

"I’m personally supportive of [marriage] equality for gay couples and I believe that it will happen over time," he said. "I think that more and more Americans are insistent that, at a minimum, gay couples should be treated with respect and when they see a political party trying to stigmatize a group of people who are hardworking, who play by the rules, who raise decent families, they’re troubled by it."

"I think the Republican Party should not be seen by a broad majority of the electorate as focused with singularity on issues like gay marriage," he said. "The attitudes of voters about gay marriage and about domestic partnership benefits for gay couples are changing very rapidly and for voters under the age of 30, they are completely disconnected from what has been Republican orthodoxy on these issues."

The GOP operative says he has a lesbian sister and his support of marriage equality was shaped by this relationship.

Schmidt is a California resident and tells the Blade that he voted against Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage ballot initiative supported by John McCain. Schmidt believes marriage rights for California gay couples will return through an initiative "that passes by popular vote within the next few years."

Schmidt is a former deputy to Karl Rove in the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign, which famously used gay rights and same-sex marriage as a wedge in states such as Ohio. It's great to see Schmidt is coming around to our side ... now. Will his support for gay rights and marriage equality translate into more support from the GOP rank and file? Let's hope so ...

McCain: I Don't Want Obama to Fail

John McCain breaks from the Rush Limbaugh wing of the Republican Party and says he does not want President Barack Obama to "fail." From a new interview at Politico:

"These are terrible, perilous times, so I will seek ways to work with the president of the United States,"  McCain says. "I don’t want him to fail in his mission of restoring our economy."

McCain tells Politico he is working with the new Obama Administration on everything from "from Afghanistan and Iraq to military procurement reform" and "took a phone call from Vice President Joe Biden soliciting" McCain's advice on cutting down on pork barrel spending.

This week on NBC’S Meet The Press, Newt Gingrich fired back at pill-popping, right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh, saying, "You’re irrational if you don’t want the president to succeed because if he doesn’t succeed, the country doesn’t succeed."

Prop 8 Supporter and Billionaire Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman to Run for California Governor

Sorry for not reporting this bit of hilarity last night. Meg Whitman, the former chief executive officer of eBay, officially declared her intent to run for governor of California. Whitman is running as a Republican—but did not register as a Republican until 2007.

The move by the billionaire businesswoman—establishment of an "exploratory" committee – likely sets up what's expected to be an expensive 17-month auction between herself and Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner in the 2010 Republican primary.

Whitman is pitching herself as a financial expert in tough economic times.

"California faces challenges unlike any other time in its history – a weak and faltering economy, massive job losses, and an exploding state budget deficit," Whitman said in a statement. "California is better than this, and I refuse to stand by and watch it fail."

The 52-year old is a political rookie who has never held elective office. If elected, she would be the first female governor in California history.

Whitman is likely to be re-packaged as a centrist, technology- and business-friendly replacement for Gov. Schwarzenegger but that would be misleading. In the primaries, Whitman first supported anti-gay right-wing technocrat Mitt Romney and then John McCain. And while most Silicon Valley Republicans are more concerned with lower taxes than right-wing screeds such as gay marriage, Whitman was a major supporter of Proposition 8, California's recently passed ban on same-sex marriages. The former eBay executive was only one of 3 likely Republican gubernatorial candidates to support the ban.

Tech industry blog Vallleywag reports gay and lesbian eBay employees, "an influential group within the company, are especially furious at her betrayal." Henry Gomez, the former eBay communications honcho who's serving as an advisor to Whitman, tells Gawker that Whitman's stand "was 'a personal issue.' Many gay eBay employees agree. They see Whitman's stance as a deeply personal betrayal. As the CEO of a company in a liberal industry in a liberal region, Whitman never gave a hint that she didn't value gay and lesbian employees' relationships."

Whitman's business and technology credentials are also being mocked. "The new fees eBay pushed on sellers have tarnished her image as a friend of small businesses, " Vallleywag reports. "And her failure to secure key domain names, like meg2010.com, combined with her failed attempt to reclaim them from the man who registered them, hardly makes her seem tech-savvy."

Whitman Launches 2010 Bid for Governor [Sac Bee]
Heavily-Vaselined Ex eBay CEO Running for Gov [VW]

Log Cabin Republicans Praise Anti-Gay RNC Chair Michael Steele

Denial is apparently the major prerequisite for becoming a gay Republican. That's why it's no surprise the  Log Cabin Republicans are praising the selection of Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor, as the first black chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Log Cabin Republicans said that Mr Steele had acknowleged in a media interview during his campaign the importance of reaching out to Log Cabin and other mainstream GOP groups "as the party looks to chart a future course."

"Michael Steele understands you win elections by addition, not subtraction," said Patrick Sammon, chair of Log Cabin. "He understands we must focus on what unites us, not what divides us as Republicans. After two straight election defeats, it was clear that more of the same was not the answer. I'm excited that members of the Republican National Committee understood this fact."

Steele told FOX News Sunday he wants the party to broaden its base and reach out to those who favor gay rights and choice. Blah blah blah. The words are just empty rhetoric. In the same interview the black Republican emphasized his support for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.  Steele consistently opposed gay rights and same sex marriage during his tenure as Maryland's lieutenant governor. Steele lost his bid for the senate in 2006 and his campaign relentlessly gay-baited and slammed marriage equality as he courted black congregations.

As usual, the tax cut-obsessed, homocon Log Cabinettes are reduced to cherry-picking facts to rationalize their inclusion in a party that is clearly opposed to their equality. No surprise. This is the same group that praised John McCain despite his opposition to ENDA and hate crimes laws, and,  defended Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's anti-gay record as "inclusive". No one is taking this group seriously.

Gallup Poll Finds Record Disapproval for Republican Party

The hits keep coming for the increasingly irrelevant and scandal-plagued Republican Party. The latest Gallup Poll finds "only 34% of Americans have a favorable view of the party" and the 61% now holding an unfavorable view of the GOP "is the highest Gallup has recorded for that party since the measure was established in 1992."

In contrast more than half of Americans, some 55%, "currently hold a favorable view of the Democratic Party and only 39% an unfavorable view."

George W. Bush will be remembered as presiding over the worst administration in history and relegating the country's once dominant political party to the wilderness. Good riddance.

News: Obama, Prop 8, LL Cool J, Focus on the Family, "Don't Ask"

· In first meeting since the presidential election, President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain vow to work together on the financial crisis, energy, national security and "change the bad habits of Washington."

· More than 100 retired generals and admirals call for repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays so they can serve openly. "As is the case with Great Britain, Israel, and other nations that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality," the officers wrote.

· Lip lickin' LL Cool J to co-host the "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live."

· After a wave of anti-gay riots and arrests across Senegal, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission increases aid to the West African nation's LGBT community.

· Just in case the Jamaican gays and lesbians aren't deterred by the lynch mobs and routine attacks: The upper house of the Jamaican parliament debates legislation to define marriage as between a man and a woman only. Senator Basil Waite proposes to legislate the nation's "preferred family options" to "prevent homosexual unions."

· California Attorney General Jerry Brown urges the California Supreme Court to "review lawsuits that seek to overturn Proposition 8" but "it's in the 'public interest' to let the gay-marriage ban take effect while lawsuits are reviewed."

· Via Wilshire & Washington: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tells ABC News he believes marriage is between a man and a woman but "I don't want to force my will on anyone." The governor predicts the California Supreme Court will reject Proposition 8 .

· Happy holidays from right-wing, anti-gay Focus on the Family! After "pumping more than half a million dollars into the successful effort to pass a gay-marriage ban in California", the Colorado Springs-based ministry and media empire will lay off 20 percent of its workforce, some 202 jobs. "Critics are holding up the layoffs, which come just two months after the organization’s last round of dismissals, as a sad commentary on the true priorities of ministry. 'If I were their membership I would be appalled,'  said Mark Lewis, a longtime Colorado Springs activist who helped organize a Proposition 8 protest in Colorado Springs on Saturday. 'That [Focus on the Family] would spend any money on anything that’s obviously going to get blocked in the courts is just sad. [Prop. 8] is guaranteed to lose, in the long run it doesn’t have a chance—it’s just a waste of money. "

64 Percent of Republicans Want Palin to Run for President in 2012

Via Think Progress: Despite losing in a landslide, the new poll by Rasmussen finds the Republican base overwhelmingly wants Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as their presidential nominee in 2012. 

When asked to choose among some of the GOP’s top names for their choice for the party’s 2012 presidential nominee, 64% say Palin. The next closest contenders are two former governors and unsuccessful challengers for the presidential nomination this year — Mike Huckabee of Arkansas with 12% support and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts with 11%.

Three other sitting governors–Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Charlie Crist of Florida and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota–all pull low single-digit support.

Some 69 percent of Republicans believed Palin was an asset to the losing ticket headed by John McCain. This despite exit polls that revealed 60 percent of voters said Palin was "not qualified to be president if necessary." Massive denial? Or firm conviction? Not sure which.

RNC Demands Palin Return Clothing After Unauthorized Shopping Spree

The conservative meltdown snowballs. New reports suggest Gov. Sarah Palin's more than $150,000 fashion makeover was largely an authorized shopping spree. Think Progress reports the Republican National Committee is not very happy and wants Palin to return the Ferragmo shoes, Valentino dresses and St. John Knits.

Sarah Palin left the national stage Wednesday, but the controversy over her role on the ticket flared as aides to John McCain disclosed new details about her expensive wardrobe purchases and revealed that a Republican Party lawyer would be dispatched to Alaska to inventory and retrieve the clothes still in her possession

Hopefully the Neiman-Marcus in Minneapolis and Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City have liberal return policies. Newsweek reveals the Alaska governor "spent 'tens of thousands' more than the reported $150,000, and that $20,000 to $40,000 went to buy clothes for her husband."

GOP Goes to Collect Leftovers [Think Progress]
Hackers and Spending Sprees [Newsweek]

Some Background...
RNC's $150,000 Makeover for Palin [R20]

Election Live Blog

OBAMA WINS!!

CNN calls Virginia for Obama who becomes first Democrat since LBJ to win that state.

My feeling is that this night is just about over. Polls close on the west coast in a few minutes and here is no way McCain is winning California, Oregon or Washington. 

1050 More gay-rights related news. Connecticut voters apparently reject a call for a constitutional convention. The Nutmeg State's first Constitutional convention in more than 40 years could have attempted to amend the recent court-mandated marriage equality law.

1035 Pam Spaulding watches Liddy Dole's concession speech so you don't have to. "Oh what a feeling! She says it has been a "hard fall campaign" and talks about the negative ads against her! OMG. I sh*t you not. She just said 'I'm not really that old and I'm not ready for retirement.' "

Catching up with some of the LGBT-related news tonight. Florida's Amendment 2, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, unfortunately looks like it will pass. The Miami Herald reports with 50 percent of the expected vote counted, "the amendment had 62 percent support. In Florida, constitutional amendments must get 60 percent for adoption." Let's hope for a strong finish for the NOs.

1020 As expected, CNN and CBS call TEXAS for McCain. A very big win, but still not enough.

1005 ET Tara Wall, a black Republican editorial columnist at the right wing Washington Times, is on CNN projecting doom and gloom with Obama in the White House and Nancy Pelosi as speaker. Umm, the Republicans have spent millions making this argument and the voters keep rejecting it, but you keep telling yourself that.

10P ET CNN and CBS News call New Mexico for Obama.

CBS News results here with Obama leading McCain 206 to 135 EVs. It looks like an EV landslide for Obama but the popular vote is very close, Obama 24,014,616 (50%) and McCain 23,339,662 (49%).

NBC and CNN declare Ohio and its 20 EVs for Obama. What a major coup. Obviously, running on the economy helped Obama win this state. And the Joe the Plumberpalooza .... did not help McCain win.

945ET Chicago police expect a half million or more people in Grant Park to celebrate Obama's victory. Reportedly, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Sean ''Diddy'' Combs, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and Ben Affleck ''are among those advised to skip the Chicago festivities and focus on attending the expected Obama inauguration in January.''

I think the race is effectively won by Obama, the only question is how much. CBS News has Obama with 194 EVs, McCain 124 EVs.

920ET Music to my ears. Democrats pick up three senate seats ... New Hampshire, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen beats Bush I and II lackey Sen. John Sununu. New Mexico,  Udall wins. And the best news of the night so far, North Carolina, Kay Hagan kicks Sen. Elizabeth Dole to the curb. There is a virtual celebration at Pam's House Blend.

905ET Rhode Island, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin go to Obama.  Seems hard to believe McCain was competitive in WI two months ago. Wyoming, North Dakots go to McCain, so surprise, Wyoming is one of the few Cheney-friendly zones in the country.

855ET Pennsylvania's 21 EVs go to Obama. This state has been blue or purple for 20 years and Republicans were lusting for a pickup this year. Too bad for McCain, this was his last stand and just like the Alamo the results were very bloody.

820ET CBS News has a slightly different electoral map. They project WV for McCain and New Hampshire for Obama. Their electoral count shows Obama leading 81 to 39. CBS elections results here.

806ET Obama leading in electora votes 77 to 34.

803ET 15 states just closed. CNN projects 8 states for OBAMA: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW JERSEY. VERMONT was called last hour.

803ET CNN projects 2 states  OKLAHOMA and TENNESSEE for MCCAIN. KENTUCKY and SOUTH CAROLINA were called last hour.

Palin Exercising "Right to Privacy", Refuses to Say Who She Voted For

Republican vice presidential nominee and Gov. Sarah Palin returns to the tundra to cast her vote in today's elections. It's assumed she voted for herself. But did the Alaska governor vote for Sen. Ted Stevens, the state's notoriously anti-gay and corrupt octogenarian senator who was recently convicted on seven charges of corruption?

"I am also exercising my right to privacy and I don't have to tell who I vote for, nobody does, and that’s really cool about America also," she said.

If, as expected, Stevens will claims victory, the Senate will be forced to expel him and the Alaska governor is free to appoint any Republican she chooses .... including herself, if the GOP presidential ticket does not win. Which, according to almost every poll, is what will likely happen.

Palin Casts Vote [MSNBC]
Palin Mum on Vote [CNN]