The Blog of the Log Cabin Republicans

Archive for August, 2008

More on Palin

We’re all gearing up for what’s going to be an exciting week here in Minneapolis at the Republican National Convention.  Lots of media requests.  We’re waiting to hear how plans for the RNC might change, given the hurricane threatening the Gulf Coast.  Prayers that those affected by the coming storm are able to get out of harms way in time…

I’ll blog as much as possible…which, as things start rolling here on Monday, won’t be as often as I’d like.  But I will try!

Everyone is still buzzing about Gov. Palin.  Good analysis over at the Republican Liberty Caucus blog:

She subscribes to the same belief in small government and individual liberty and reforming the Republican party and government in general which has been Ron Paul’s main appeal.

…a lot of the more reasonable Paul supporters feeling that they have won a victory and perhaps are seeing McCain move back towards his more libertarian roots with the alliance with Palin. This may make a big difference in states like Nevada where large enough numbers of disgruntled Paul supporters to throw the election to the Democrats feel that they have been abused and excluded by party insiders.

And then this:

As for moderates and secularists, who are a significant presence within the GOP even if they don’t get much attention, Palin may be a fundamentalist Christian, but she appears to be one who exercises her religion rationally and with a relatively open mind, and knows how to separate issues of faith from matters of policy.

Let’s hope.  The signs are promising!

-posted by Scott Tucker

 

Posted: August 30th, 2008 under Democrats, Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.
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Gov. Sarah Palin

Well, we hit the ground in Minneapolis and, as you can imagine, it’s been quite hectic.  The McCain campaign did a brilliant job today of quickly stealing back the spotlight after Sen. Obama’s successful speech in Denver.  Sen. McCain’s choice for Vice President, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is a smart choice on many levels.  She unifies the GOP across the spectrum.  Plus, Gov. Palin will help appeal to disaffected Hillary supporters.  Also, so-called “pro-family” groups love her because she’s solidly pro-life.  These same groups worried McCain would choose Gov. Ridge or, worse, Sen. Joe Lieberman (gasp!)

Social conservatives are happy neither of them were picked.  But, let’s remember one thing: pro-life doesn’t equal anti-gay.  Her record on gay issues is unclear, but it’s not anti-gay and news reports say she has expressed sympathy for gays who face discrimination.  In 2006, she said she’s “not out to judge anyone and has good friends who are gay.”  Her record doesn’t necessarily mean she’s going to support pro-gay issues, but it indicates she’s an inclusive leader who isn’t a bigot.  Of course, that won’t stop many gay Democrats from calling her a bigot.  Many already have.  (Then again, for some of them, that’s all they know how to do.)

The only decision she made as governor affecting gay people benefited our community.  In late 2006, many social conservatives wanted her to sign a bill that would’ve blocked benefits for the same-sex partners of state employees.  She vetoed the bill.  Though she disagreed with the Supreme Court order that directed the state to offer the benefits, she said the anti-gay bill was unconstitutional.

We have an open mind.  So, as the campaign goes into overdrive, we look forward to learning more about Gov. Palin and her positions on these issues.

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: August 29th, 2008 under Democrats, Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.
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And about the platform…

Yes, the GOP party platform again includes anti-gay things that it shouldn’t.  As we said in this Associated Press article, the party platform isn’t the hill we’re going to die on.  Party platforms are largely symbolic.  That doesn’t mean that they don’t matter at all.  They do.  But sometimes you have to pick your battles.

The AP story does a good job of pointing out exactly how symbolic these things really are:

Party platforms are not binding on candidates or the next president and tend to be largely forgotten once they’re in place.

And, to be sure, McCain himself doesn’t support everything in the platform:

The platform draft calls for constitutional bans on abortion and gay marriage, two steps McCain does not support.

So, rather than squabble over the platform (which we could have done), we decided to go to Minneapolis-St. Paul at the Republican National Convention and show LGBT Americans in a positive light.  We’re going there to engage in conversations with delegates and Republicans of all stripes.  Some will agree with us.  Others won’t.  One thing we know for sure is that we’re going to the RNC with a positive message about gay and lesbian Americans.  We think that’s important. 

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: August 26th, 2008 under Chapter News, Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.
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Living Our Lives Openly and Honestly?

Someone alerted me to this post on the website of LGBT supporters of Sen. Barack Obama.  Author Michael Crawford attempts to “call Log Cabin Republicans out” for “considering an endorsement” of Sen. John McCain.  Crawford says that McCain “has one of the most anti-LGBT records in the Senate” and proceeds to dismiss McCain’s record against the federal marriage amendment–the most significant threat the LGBT community has faced in the last decade.  He writes the following:

“Okay, so McCain supposedly does not support a federal constitutional ban on marriage”

Supposedly?  Sen. McCain TWICE VOTED AGAINST the federal constitutional ban on marriage!  (YouTube here)  There is nothing “supposed” about that.  Sen. McCain has given a very specific (and unlikely…and long) list of things that must happen before he would support such a measure.  Those things haven’t happened and Sen. McCain remains opposed to such an amendment.  (For the record, Log Cabin has yet to make an endorsement for president.)

But, here’s the kicker.  Mr. Crawford then goes on to say the following:

“But, the leaders of LCR have a very clear choice to make: they can either stand with the Republican Party even as it continues its assault against LGBT Americans or they can stand with their LGBT brothers and sisters who are fighting every day to live their lives openly and honestly and free from anti-LGBT discrimination.”

(My emphasis bolded).  Implicit in that ridiculous sentence is that Log Cabin Republicans (and gay Republicans for that matter) are not living their lives openly and honestly.  I have news for you, Mr. Crawford.  Those of us at Log Cabin Republicans are living just as ”openly and honestly” as you are.  It’s an unfair and cheap attack on thousands of gay and lesbian Republicans who are all living their lives openly and honestly and with dignity every single day of their lives.  Gay and lesbian Republicans are EVERYWHERE.  They are, according to exit polls from 2000 and 2004, roughly 25% of all gay Americans. 

Now, disagree with us all you want.  That’s fine.  But stop attacking all gay Republicans and implying that we should live “openly and honestly.” 

I understand that progress with the GOP is not moving nearly as fast as Mr. Crawford and many would like.  I understand that.  I understand it is frustrating.  But I guess we have a fundamental difference as to what we should do with that frustration.  Some, like Mr. Crawford, say we should throw our hands up and stop engaging in conversations with Republicans.  Well, if we followed that course of action (which we won’t), I’d say good luck to you in your endeavor to achieve “equality” for gay and lesbian Americans, Mr. Crawford.  No civil rights struggle has been won with a one-party strategy…and neither will this one.

You may hate EVERYTHING the Republican Party stands for.  But don’t malign the efforts of good, decent gay and lesbian Republicans who are doing work for “our movement” that you would never have the courage to do.

-posted by Scott Tucker 

Posted: August 26th, 2008 under Chapter News, Democrats, Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.
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Big Tent Event

Our big event in Minneapolis for the RNC…

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: August 25th, 2008 under Chapter News, Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus, On the Lighter Side.
Comments: none

Sold Out

…but because it’s so cool, I thought you’d like to see!

-posted by Scott Tucker

 

 

Posted: August 25th, 2008 under Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus, On the Lighter Side.
Comments: none

Log Cabin at the Republican National Convention

In just a few days, Log Cabin’s national staff will head to Minneapolis-St. Paul for the Republican National Convention.  We’re very excited about the presence that we’re going to have at the RNC with about 100 Log Cabin members, openly gay delegates, alternates, and convention attendees. 

We’re viewing the RNC as an opportunity to engage in conversations with GOP leaders and our fellow Republicans.  We’re talking with them about why it’s important for the GOP to become more inclusive on gay and lesbian issues.

Log Cabin is hosting a series of events next week in Minneapolis-St. Paul for the RNC.  All events are invitation only.  Here’s the run-down:

  • Information Booth at CivicFest Marketplace, located in Hall D, Booth #911, in the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S.  We’ll be staffing this booth starting Friday, August 29th through Thursday, September 4th.
  • Log Cabin’s “Big Tent Event” will be our main media event.  It’s a luncheon featuring Log Cabin congressional allies and nationally prominent speakers.  When: Tuesday, September 2nd, 12 pm-2 pm.  Where: The University Club of St. Paul – Downtown, 340 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN
  • Log Cabin Republicans National Archives Open House.  Stop by for a reception at the site of Log Cabin’s national archives.  When: Wednesday, September 3rd, 9:00 am-11:00 am.  Where: University of Minnesota, Elmer L. Anderson Library, 222 21st Ave S., Minneapolis, MN
  • Gay ‘Ol Party will be a reception co-hosted with the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.  When: Wednesday, September 3rd, 7:30 pm-10:00 pm.  Where: Graves 601 Hotel, Bradstreet, 601 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN.
  • A Salute to Openly Gay & Lesbian Delegates.  When: Thursday, September 4th, 12:00 pm-2:00 pm.  Where: The Chambers Hotel, Rooftop Lounge, 901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN.

We’ll be blogging from Minneapolis!  So stay tuned!

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: August 25th, 2008 under Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.
Comments: none

No…

…Not frustrated, Pam.  (Besides, given the polling and recent analysis of the state of the presidential race, I would think it’d be Democrats who should be frustrated right now.)

My point with this post was to say that those on the Left who criticize Log Cabin should also recognize our achievements when they happen.  I do appreciate Pam’s willingness to do that.

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: August 21st, 2008 under Democrats, Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus, On the Lighter Side.
Comments: none

Log Cabin’s Historic Win in New York

The Advocate has the scoop, in case you missed it.  Did you happen to see this, Pam?

Log Cabin Republicans scored a coup last week when the Republican majority in the New York State senate introduced the Safe Schools for All Students Act, which would protect kids from being bullied in public schools because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Jeff Cook, legislative adviser for Log Cabin, said it was historic to have transgender people included in what is known in Albany parlance as a “rules bill” — a bill introduced by the majority that is automatically understood to have the assent of the majority leader. “It is the first rules bill that we know of that includes gender identity and expression in New York State,” Cook said.

The bill emerged after Log Cabin negotiated for several months with senate Republicans, who currently control the chamber 31-29, to introduce an inclusive antibullying bill. The state assembly has passed its own trans-inclusive bill, the Dignity for All Students Act, every year since 2002.

“With the vast majority of the Republican assembly conference in support of Dignity every year, we thought there was an opportunity to move a safe schools bill [in the senate],” Cook said, adding that the bill had been held up for lack of a Republican sponsor.

Log Cabin identified 10 GOP senators who had been supportive of the assembly version and started a process of negotiation with the senate majority and the Dignity Coalition, a group of organizations working to advance the gender identity-inclusive legislation. Cook said the senate conferenced the bill in June, and Log Cabin “kept up the pressure” until it was introduced last week.

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: August 20th, 2008 under Chapter News, Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.
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