Rod 2.0:Beta

Gay Bush Supporters Divided Over McCain, Some Support Obama

Remember the "Austin 12", the dozen well-known gay Republicans who famously met with and lobbied George W. Bush during the 2000 campaign to be more LGBT-inclusive? That was looooong ago when W. was still promising to be a "compassionate conservative." The Washington Blade interviews the 12 conservative homos, and, surprise, they are "not exactly rallying around John McCain." Several are openly supporting Barack Obama.

"In all, three said they either would vote for Obama or are seriously considering it; three are undecided between McCain and Obama; three are backing McCain and three others declined to comment." That means only 25 percent are publicly supporting the party's presumptive nominee. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. The reasons should be obvious.

During the meeting, the “Austin 12” urged Bush to appoint open gays to federal offices, include an openly gay speaker at the 2000 Republican National Convention and maintain President Clinton’s executive order banning discrimination against gays in the federal workforce. Bush complied with each of those requests during his presidency.

But Bush’s record, most notably his endorsement of the Federal Marriage Amendment, has soured some members of the “Austin 12” so much that they refuse to support the Republican Party’s presidential choice, even though McCain voted against the FMA in the U.S. Senate.

David Catania, an at-large City Council member for the District of Columbia, has sober words for the capital gains tax cut-loving homos in the Log Cabin Republicans. "I wouldn’t give supporting [McCain] a second thought. ... I think gays are kind of kidding themselves if they think John McCain is going to be any better for the gay community than George Bush.

‘Austin 12’ divided over McCain [Wash Blade]

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McCain Supports California and Arizona Marriage Bans [R20]
McCain Secret Meeting with Log Cabin [R20]
McCain Highlights Opposition to CA Marriage [R20]
McCain to HRC: I "Was Proud to Receive" Log Cabin Endorsement [R20]
Log Cabin Defends McCain's Anti-Gay Record [R20]
HRC Blasts McCain's Gay Rights Record [R20]
"Straight Talk" for John McCain's Gay Supporters [R20]
McCain (Finally) Rejects Hagee and Parsley [R20]
McCain Silent on Hagee's Homophobic Slurs  [R20]
McCain Campaigns with Singer Who Compared Gay Marriage to "Incest" [R20]
McCain to Ellen: No "Right" to Get Married [R20]
McCain in Selma, Recalls Historic Civil Rights March [R20]
DNC Debuts First Ad Against McCain [R20]
McCain Will "Criticize" Obama's "Elitist" Comments [R20]
McCain in Memphis: "Wrong" to Oppose Holiday [R20]
Republican Senators Block Stimulus Package [R20]
McCain Targets Romney with Anti-Gay Robo-calls [R20]
NH Voters Targeted by Anti-Mormon "Push Polls" [R20]
Romney, McCain Offer More Anti-Gay Rhetoric [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]

Lawsuit Hopes to Remove California Marriage Initiative from Ballot

On Monday, the Associated Press published this photo as part of its coverage on San Francisco's gay pride. Sherri Black-White (left) and partner Shidiva Black-White were one of hundreds of newly married California couples. Luckily, they were able to the knot but there are several new developments in the fight to amend California's constitution to ban same-sex marriage, and, prevent other gay and lesbian couples from marrying.

The Los Angeles Times reports gay rights activists and marriage equality supporters have filed a lawsuit asking "the state high court to take the initiative off the ballot, partly on grounds that voters who signed petitions were misled about the measure's potential effect."  The lawsuit claims when voters signed petitions for the Proposition 8, the November initiative "to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, they were told the measure would not change state law, which at the time banned same-sex marriage." The suit is considered a "longshot",

Both sides on the California marriage issue pour money into the fight. Backers of Proposition 8, had, as of last week, "raised nearly $2.3 million, its foes about $1.3 million. Consultants predict that by the time voters go to the polls 4 1/2 months from now, each side will have raised $15 million or more." The Human Rights Campaign has contributed $242,600 to defeat the initiative so far.

In May, the California Supreme Court ruled that denying gays the right to marry violated the state constitution. Same sex marriages began two weeks ago and a report found county clerks issued "more than 8,500 marriage licenses in the first week same-sex marriage was legal in California, more than two and half times an average June week."

Lawsuit seeks removal of marriage measure [LAT]
Competing images in the fight over same-sex marriage [LAT]

Thanks KEITH

"Only Good Reporters" Sit Next to McCain on New Campaign Plane

Leading the cable news broadcasts and the Washington Post ...  breathless coverage of John McCain's new "Straight Talk Express" campaign airplane. The new Boeing 737 "features a special area" outfitted with "a couch and two captain’s chairs" where the presumptive Republican nominee "will conduct group interviews with the press." Via Think Progress is news that reporters must "earn" the right to hobnob with McCain in the "special area."

Top McCain aide Mark Salter said " 'only the good reporters' would get to sit in the specially-configured section for interviews. ‘You’ll have to earn it,’ he said." So how can these reporters "earn" a seat? Never challenge the Senator, as McCain biographer Matt Welch explained in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times:

[McCain is] very open to people. You can come on the bus, everything is great but if he knows or if his team knows that you have a hostile line of questioning or you have a long and well documented critique, they’re not going to talk to you.

Just weeks ago, it seemed the press was tripping over themselves to get invited to "legendary grill man"  John McCain's barbecue to taste his "slow cooked baby back ribs." Now, they're tempted with extra leg room and a "captain's chair" on the "Straight Talk Express" if they ask "good" questions.

Bush's Anti-Gay Surgeon General Nominee Refuses Senate Questions

An update to the story of Dr. James Holsinger, the Bush Administration's controversial nominee for Surgeon General with an anti-gay record, history of homophobic and scientifically inaccurate statements, opposing gay and lesbian clergy in the United Methodist Church, and, founding an ex-gay ministry. Holsinger's nomination stalled in July and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee never took a vote.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reports the University of Kentucky cardiologist who was "picked by President Bush in May 2007, is more than 10 months late answering written questions from the Senate committee that would consider his nomination.In the protocol of Congress, missing a deadline by that much is tantamount to political suicide for a presidential nominee." The newspaper also published an editorial expressing displeasure with Holsinger and criticized him as "disrespectful" for "ignor[ing] questions from the committee for so long." Ouch.

Not only were Ted Kennedy and the Democrats on the HELP Committee very clear in their opposition to Holsinger, but, some Republicans also expressed concerns. It's likely Holsinger never responded to the committee's questions because they would be used against him, and, because the Bush Administration hoped to sneak a recess appointment. But that's not going to happen because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has made sure the Senate is technically in session during holidays.

Time running out for surgeon general nominee [LCJ]
Holsinger's silence  [LCJ]

Some Background ...
Bush to Bypass Senate to Appoint AntiGay Surgeon General Nominee? [R20]
Kennedy to Block Surgeon General-Nominee? [R20]
NYT Editorial Slams Surgeon General Nominee [R20]
Republicans Opposed to Surgeon General Nominee [R20]
Confirmation Hearings Set [R20]
Lift Gag Rule from Surgeon Genl Nominee [R20]
Joycelyn Elders on Surgeon General Nominee [R20]
Senate GOP Leader Supports  Nominee [R20]
Surgeon General Warning [R20]
Clinton, Edwards Oppose Surgeon Genl Nominee [R20]

Adulterers Larry Craig and David Vitter Co-Sponsor Marriage "Protection" Amendment

And now for the day's entertainment. Two United States Senators implicated in highly-publicized charges of extramarital sexual activity are among the first to co-sponsor the new marriage protection amendment that defines marriage as "only of the union of a man and a woman." Both of the names should be familiar to Rod 2.0 readers: De-closeted, anti-gay men's restroom cruiser Larry Craig and serial prostitution client David Vitter. Page One Q :

Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), who was arrested June 11, 2007 on charges of lewd conduct in a Minneapolis airport terminal, is co-sponsoring the amendment along with Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).

Craig, who entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, was detained and charged for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a male undercover police officer. His arrest and plea became public two months later. At that time, Craig attempted to withdraw his plea and enter a new plea of not guilty. To date, his efforts have been denied by the courts.

In July of 2007, Vitter was identified as a client of a prostitution firm owned by the late Deborah Jeane Palfrey, commonly known as The DC Madam.

This isn't the first time the two disgraced adulterous senators have tried to defend marriage. Rewind to our first column in The Advocate last fall. "Vitter had also been racking up frequent-flier points in a New Orleans bordello," we wrote and "somewhere between floor speeches supporting 'traditional marriage' and cosponsoring a constitutional ban against same-sex marriage, the serial adulterer found time to call the escort service -- from the Senate Republican Cloakroom, reportedly." Only in the Republican Party can two men accused of being serial adulterers get away with such naked hypocrisy on so-called "family values." Oh, and it goes without saying the mainstream media will be slow to call them on their hypocrisy.

Full text of S. J. RES. 43 here, and, list of co-sponsors, including anti-gay former presidential Sam Brownback and anti-gay global warming denialist James Inhofe.

Craig and Vitter co-sponsor Marriage Amendment  [P1Q]

More LARRY CRAIG
More REPUBLICANS

Some Background ...
A Tale of Two Cities [Advocate]
5 Gay Men Describe Sexual Encounters with Craig [R20]
"Romney Threw Me Under the Bus" [R20]
Anti-Gay Vitter on DC Madam's Client List [R20]
Vitter Subpoenaed Regarding Prostitutes [R20]
Report: Anti-Gay Senator Patronized Brothel [R20]
Craig Inducted into Idaho Hall of Fame [R20]
Senate Republicans Knew About "Closeted" Larry Craig's "Weird Problem" [R20]
Larry Craig Vows to Remain in Office [R20]
Larry Craig Pays a Surprise Visit to Senate [R20]
News: Larry Craig Latest, David Vitter [R20]
Larry Craig Latest: "Not Guilty!" [R20]
Craig Latest: Wasn't Going to Run for Re-Election [R20]
Craig Latest: Maybe I Won't Resign After All [R20]
Craig Resigns Senate Seat [R20]
RNC to Larry Craig: Resign or Else [R20]
NY Post Runs "Are You a Gay Senator?" Quiz [R20]
Idaho's Largest Paper Calls for Craig's Resignation [R20]

McCain Supports California and Arizona Marriage Bans

Happy Gay Pride from John McCain!

In a move that wasn't entirely unexpected, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain endorsed Thursday the controversial California Marriage Protection Act initiative expected to go before the state's voters this November.

"I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona," McCain said in a message widely distributed via PRNewswire. "I do not believe judges should be making these decisions."

McCain also supports recent attempts by the Arizona legislature to offer an anti-gay marriage amendment to voters in the fall. That proposal was narrowly rejected this week and could be re-voted over the weekend.

Meanwhile, CNN confirms the presumptive Republican presidential nominee had an off-the-record meeting with Log Cabin Republicans, the gay Republican group, presumably to wish them a happy gay pride. Still no announcement of the meeting on the virtual Log Cabinette  ... nor any mention of McCain's support for the proposed California and Arizona marriage bans. Happy pride!

McCain endorses CA Marriage Protection Act [Politicker]
McCain reaches out to gay Republican group [CNN]

More POLITICS
More JOHN McCAIN

You May Want to Read ...
McCain Secret Meeting with Log Cabin [R20]
McCain Highlights Opposition to CA Marriage [R20]
McCain to HRC: I "Was Proud to Receive" Log Cabin Endorsement [R20]
Log Cabin Defends McCain's Anti-Gay Record [R20]
HRC Blasts McCain's Gay Rights Record [R20]
"Straight Talk" for John McCain's Gay Supporters [R20]
McCain (Finally) Rejects Hagee and Parsley [R20]
McCain Silent on Hagee's Homophobic Slurs  [R20]
McCain Campaigns with Singer Who Compared Gay Marriage to "Incest" [R20]
McCain to Ellen: No "Right" to Get Married [R20]
McCain in Selma, Recalls Historic Civil Rights March [R20]
DNC Debuts First Ad Against McCain [R20]
McCain Will "Criticize" Obama's "Elitist" Comments [R20]
McCain in Memphis: "Wrong" to Oppose Holiday [R20]
Republican Senators Block Stimulus Package [R20]
McCain Targets Romney with Anti-Gay Robo-calls [R20]
NH Voters Targeted by Anti-Mormon "Push Polls" [R20]
Romney, McCain Offer More Anti-Gay Rhetoric [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain Hires Producer of Racist Ads [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]

News: Supreme Court, Wall Street, HRC, Models, Arizona Marriage

· By a 5 to 4 ruling, the Supreme Court strikes down the District of Columbia's ban on handgun possession, and, for the first time in our nation's history, rules the Second Amendment guarantees an individual's right to own a gun for self-defense. The opinion on  D.C. v. Heller is written by by Justice Anton Scalia and is here. Jeralyn at Talk Left provides selected quotes from the opinion and discussion here and here. For the conservative reaction, Red State has analysis and discussion, as well as commentary by Mike Huckabee.

· Gay conservatives at the Log Cabin Republicans applaud the decision.  "Unfortunately, too many LGBT Americans still face the threat of anti-gay violence," says president Patrick Sammon. "We're happy the Supreme Court has affirmed the right for us to protect ourselves and our families from harm."

· Stocks plunge and oil soars to a record high. "The Dow slides about 360 points to a 21-month low as ... oil surged above $140 a barrel in New York trading, compounding fears that soaring inflation will hamper a global economy already on the ropes."

· Technology shares hammered "as investors reacted to a disappointing profit outlook from the maker of BlackBerry smartphone" Research in Motion.

· Arizona: "Gay marriage opponents lost a key battle when the senate rejected a proposed ballot measure to amend the state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. With the measure failing by two votes, the lawmaker who proposed putting the proposal on the November ballot for voters to decide said he will try Friday to resurrect it."

· Survey: One in five gay men and lesbians in Britain suffer anti-gay attacks.

· Out.com's Model Citizen is Courtney, recently seen on Rod 2.0 in Paper's Obama-inspired fashion editorial. He prefers "briefs", not boxers, and "good sex, love, and trust."

· The fashionistas at Late Boots on DSquared's S/S 2009 collection. "This show included all the heavy hitters, the new school and the old. Supermodel Tyson Beckford leaded the pack showing that he still has it as the youngsters marvel at the possibility. All types of black hit the runway, showing that you can book a whole show and variety still stands."

· Poll: 59% of Californians, compared to 50% of Americans, "believe homosexuality should be accepted, not discouraged by society."

·  Over pride weekend in San Francisco, activists "plan to be on the streets during the festivities to inform people of the boycott and protest of the Human Rights Campaign's annual fundraising dinner in San Francisco next month, a major event that raises tens of thousands of dollars for the organization. ... The controversy stems from the HRC's decision last fall to support" the proposed version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in Congress that did not include the employment protections for the transgender. The trans-exclusive ENDA passed the House but has stalled in the Senate.

McCain's Secret and Off-the-Record Meeting with Log Cabin Republicans

In early June, capital gains tax cut loving homos at the Log Cabin Republicans began attacking the Human Rights Campaign for an exhaustive report that documents the John McCain's long history opposing the gays. The gay Republicans defended McCain's anti-gay record and promised McCain "has had an open door to us at Log Cabin." Apparently the "open door" is an, err, back door because word has just emerged McCain secretly met with the gay Republicans.

Bruce at Gay Patriot has the exclusive.

Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain held a personal meeting with the head of the national gay Republicans organization, the Log Cabin Republicans.   Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon confirmed his meeting with Senator McCain earlier today.

A source with close ties to the Log Cabin Board of Directors provided information about the meeting to GayPatriot earlier this week.  This source disclosed that the Log Cabin meeting was not reflected on Senator McCain’s published schedule in advance and the meeting.  A second source familiar with the Log Cabin-McCain meeting reports that Senator McCain has routine personal meetings that are not shown on the Senator’s public schedule.

Patrick Sammon tells GayPatriot the Log Cabinettes "expect to have more conversations with the campaign as we head toward November."

If McCain was "proud to receive" the pink thumbs up from the Log Cabinettes, he should just as proud to meet with them again. Unfortunately, the gay Republicans have yet to officially announce their conversation and the LCR blog makes no mention of the clandestine event. Meanwhile, the Arizona Republican is preoccupied securing his nomination, pandering to the social conservatives, and, does not wish to publicize his back door diplomacy with the gays. But most offensive is the fact that it's gay pride week and the Log Cabin Republicans refuse to announce their meeting with the Republican presidential candidate. There is no pride in that whatsoever.

McCain Meets with Log Cabin Republicans [Gay Patriot]

More POLITICS
More JOHN McCAIN

You May Want to Read ...
  McCain Highlights Opposition to CA Marriage [R20]
McCain to HRC: I "Was Proud to Receive" Log Cabin Endorsement [R20]
Log Cabin Defends McCain's Anti-Gay Record [R20]
HRC Blasts McCain's Gay Rights Record [R20]
"Straight Talk" for John McCain's Gay Supporters [R20]
McCain (Finally) Rejects Hagee and Parsley [R20]
McCain Silent on Hagee's Homophobic Slurs  [R20]
McCain Campaigns with Singer Who Compared Gay Marriage to "Incest" [R20]
McCain to Ellen: No "Right" to Get Married [R20]
McCain in Selma, Recalls Historic Civil Rights March [R20]
DNC Debuts First Ad Against McCain [R20]
McCain Will "Criticize" Obama's "Elitist" Comments [R20]
McCain in Memphis: "Wrong" to Oppose Holiday [R20]
Republican Senators Block Stimulus Package [R20]
McCain Targets Romney with Anti-Gay Robo-calls [R20]
NH Voters Targeted by Anti-Mormon "Push Polls" [R20]
Romney, McCain Offer More Anti-Gay Rhetoric [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain Hires Producer of Racist Ads [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
Yes But No—But Yes [R20]
McCain: Not "Catering" to Far Right [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain's MLK Day: "Pandering" to Racists [R20]
McCain Wins Republican Nomination [R20]
McCain Camp Enlists Racist Shock Jock [R20]

McCain AWOL From Senate

Via Think Progress.  Republican presidential heir apparent John McCain is now the "most absent member of the Senate."

According to the Washington Post’s votes database, McCain has "missed 367 votes (61.4%) during the current Congress." In fact, CQ reports today that McCain hasn’t voted in the Senate since April 8. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) last voted on June 4.

Your tax dollars at work.

Strategist "Deeply Regrets" Saying Terrorist Attack Would Help McCain

The top political strategist to Sen. John McCain apologizes after saying a terrorist attack on United States soil would be "a big advantage" for the Republican presidential candidate. CNN

Charlie Black, a senior adviser to McCain, said he "deeply regrets" his comments to Fortune magazine.

"They were inappropriate," Black told reporters at a fund-raising event in California. "I recognize that John McCain has devoted his entire life to protecting his country."

On Monday, McCain distanced himself from the offensive comments and says he "strenuously" disagrees with Black's horrifying wish and says he "cannot imagine" why they were made. "It's not true," McCain said. "I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America. My record is very clear."

Speaking of McCain's "record" ...Think Progress reports McCain "himself has made similar assertions in the past."

"In 2004, just three days before the presidential election, McCain argued that a recently-released video-tape by Osama bin Laden would prove 'very helpful to President Bush':  ... 'I think it’s very helpful to President Bush,' said McCain, while stumping in Stamford for U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays. 'It focuses America’s attention on the war on terrorism. I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but I think it does have an effect.' "

Adviser sorry he said attack would help McCain [CNN]
FLASHBACK: McCain Declared Osama Bin Laden Threats Are ‘Very Helpful’ To Bush’s Campaign [TP]

More POLITICS
More JOHN McCAIN

You May Want to Read ...
McCain Strategist: Terror Attack "A Big Advantage" [R20]
McCain Highlights Opposition to CA Marriage [R20]
McCain to HRC: I "Was Proud to Receive" Log Cabin Endorsement [R20]
Log Cabin Defends McCain's Anti-Gay Record [R20]
HRC Blasts McCain's Gay Rights Record [R20]
"Straight Talk" for John McCain's Gay Supporters [R20]
McCain (Finally) Rejects Hagee and Parsley [R20]
McCain Silent on Hagee's Homophobic Slurs  [R20]
McCain Campaigns with Singer Who Compared Gay Marriage to "Incest" [R20]
McCain to Ellen: No "Right" to Get Married [R20]
McCain in Selma, Recalls Historic Civil Rights March [R20]
DNC Debuts First Ad Against McCain [R20]
McCain Will "Criticize" Obama's "Elitist" Comments [R20]
McCain in Memphis: "Wrong" to Oppose Holiday [R20]
Republican Senators Block Stimulus Package [R20]
McCain Targets Romney with Anti-Gay Robo-calls [R20]
NH Voters Targeted by Anti-Mormon "Push Polls" [R20]
Romney, McCain Offer More Anti-Gay Rhetoric [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain Hires Producer of Racist Ads [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
Yes But No—But Yes [R20]
McCain: Not "Catering" to Far Right [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain's MLK Day: "Pandering" to Racists [R20]
McCain Wins Republican Nomination [R20]
McCain Camp Enlists Racist Shock Jock [R20]