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How Movable Is John McCain?

Gay Republicans are hoping the Arizona senator can be won over to our side. Don't count on it.
An Advocate.com exclusive posted August 4, 2008
How Movable Is John McCain?

With every new presidential election, the gap between Democrats and Republicans on gay issues grows steadily wider. Consider some glaring differences:

During a June 26 Democratic fund-raiser hosted by the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council in New York, Michelle Obama declared, “We are only here because of those who marched and bled and died -- from Selma to Stonewall.” And in a letter read to the San Francisco–based Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club this June, her husband both pledged to “support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law” and sent his congratulations to “all of you who have shown your love for each other by getting married these last few weeks.” Barack Obama is also undoubtedly the first presidential candidate to repeatedly attack homophobia in the black community, while speaking before black audiences.

When he was still something of a maverick, John McCain did oppose the 2006 amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would have banned gay marriage. But now (unlike Obama) McCain supports the California ballot initiative that would reverse the decision of that state’s highest court to legalize gay marriage (just as he supported the unsuccessful attempt in 2006 to ban marriage equality and roll back domestic-partner benefits in his home state of Arizona). McCain also opposes the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act passed by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives last fall -- and he continues to say he doesn’t know any military commander who thinks “don’t ask, don’t tell” is a bad idea. According to the Human Rights Campaign, as McCain geared up for this recent presidential bid, his pro-gay voting record plummeted from 33% in the last Congress to just 17% in the present one.

So why would any gay person want to vote for McCain? 

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Keywords:  2008 Election  John McCain 
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Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: David
    Date posted: 2008-09-03 2:07 PM
    Hometown: Alexandria

    Comment:

    These hysterical comparisons of Gay Republicans to Jews in Nazi Germany really reveal a deep emotional sickness on the part of those who make them. I work in DC and I really haven't heard of any prison camps or hangings of gays, even in the South. I just went to Provincetown for two weeks and not even one story of a gay lynching. Seriously, to say that the religious rights nuts are actually worse than the Taliban is really just plain crazy. What causes some of the readers to live in such a state of panic and fear? There really have to be deep emotional problems playing out.


  • Name: Johnboy
    Date posted: 2008-08-08 8:21 PM
    Hometown: Harlingen

    Comment:

    I am aware that 'some' gay republicans are concerned about fiscal responsiblility and small government. As written before, republicans have done a lousy job in those departments over the last 8 years. I am concerned about personal liberites, not whether our national security will fail. These things will take care of themselves. Chip away at freedoms and deny liberties to certain folks in society is the beginning of democratic failure, not the party of Democrats. Failure of our society will come from within, not by attack... We as a minority MUST stay together on issues to our concern othewise who will? Clinton was my hope in the past but he was out-smarted. Hopefully Obama will have learned from other's past mistakes and move steadly forward. The dawn is before us with possible 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' being recinded, fairness for gays adopting and marriage. Together we win, divided we fail. `


  • Name: TNMan
    Date posted: 2008-08-07 10:32 PM
    Hometown: Knoxville, TN

    Comment:

    As a gay man, am I required to find out which candidate is the "gay vote" candidate? Or, should I vote for who matches my issues with the candidate? Personal I dislike both Obama and McCain, but for different reasons. My favored candidate has dropped out of the race. Currently I'm looking closely at Bob Barr. Would that mean I'd waste a vote because I know Barr won't win? "Ron Paul for President"


  • Name: TNMan
    Date posted: 2008-08-07 10:31 PM
    Hometown: Knoxville, TN

    Comment:

    As a gay man, am I required to find out which candidate is the "gay vote" candidate? Or, should I vote for who matches my issues with the candidate? Personal I dislike both Obama and McCain, but for different reasons. My favored candidate has dropped out of the race. Currently I'm looking closely at Bob Barr. Would that mean I'd waste a vote because I know Barr won't win? "Ron Paul for President"


  • Name: Rocky Falco
    Date posted: 2008-08-07 11:02 AM
    Hometown: Warrenville, IL

    Comment:

    OK One more time if you are of the GLBT community You Are Going to Vote for a Democrat - NO YOU WILL VOTE DEMOCRAT.... It's about time that GLBT Republicans STOP THINGING WITH THERE POCKET BOOKS AND START THINGING WITH THERE HEARTS. We need to start planning for the future of the young kids of the GLBT Community!! I'm 63yr old father of 2 and grandfather of 8 and Gay.


  • Name: Bartholemieux Andrews
    Date posted: 2008-08-06 5:41 PM
    Hometown: Salem, MA

    Comment:

    To Scott, As long as one group is not afforded the same rights and responsibilities as another group in this country then there is no United States for us to live in. How are gays having the same rights as straights not going to be good for the country? How will continuing to deny said rights going to benefit the country financially or morally? Personally, I don't see where electing another repbulican is going to benefit the country financially when it is a republican who put us in this mess in the first place, but economic benefit can occur whether or not gays are afforded proper civil rights or not.


  • Name: Scott
    Date posted: 2008-08-06 1:22 PM
    Hometown: Tampa

    Comment:

    Why would any gay person want to vote for McCain? Maybe because gay issues aren't the issues aren't the most pressing issues to them? Many gay men don't define themselves as gay first and everything else second. Many see themselves as just every day guys who just happen to be gay. To me, national security, not increasing the budget by a trillion (with a T) dollars in entitlement programs and allowing drilling of our own resources is much more important. I'm trying to look at what's good for the country as a whole rather than selfishly what's good only for me. Gay rights will be meaningless if there isn't a United States of America to live in and enjoy those rights. Now give me a moderate Democrat (i.e. non-liberal) who is for gay rights and I'll be helping with their campaign.


  • Name: Chris Sullivan
    Date posted: 2008-08-06 1:22 PM
    Hometown: Chiago, IL

    Comment:

    Tim, I suggest you take your own advice. Any serious research done on where these two candidates stand on GLBT issues could not paint a more contrasting picture. Your issue seems to be with Democrats in general and yet, the Republican Party has been vehemently anti-gay for quite some time. You don't need to be a Democrat or a Liberal to know this and to PROVE it. So, once a reader of your posting gets past your disdain of Democrats and does tehir homework and learns the real facts - that the Democratic party is light years ahead of the Republican party on GLBT issues and that Obama is also far more progressive on the same issues than McCain is - you will have been proven completely wrong. Is this willfull ignorance? "Gay Republicans" - that's a laugh. What's next - Jews for Hitler? The enemy within is always the most dangerous and the self-loathing queens that support a party that ACTIVELY seeks to undermine and marginalize them - are an embarassment to all GLBT people.


  • Name: Robert
    Date posted: 2008-08-06 11:08 AM
    Hometown: Jacksonville NC

    Comment:

    (continued) McCain also has a history of possible corruption. No offence to old folk- age can be viewed a disability. He cant even remember the bills he supported that impaired peoples rights. He also flip flops- not because he had a change of mind or heart- but to what ever makes him look good. There would be little advancement for America if he ever became president. I don't only oppose McCain because he is against us- but in essence he is against the very wind of change we all have been hoping for. He is not reliable. He is a relic.


  • Name: Robert
    Date posted: 2008-08-06 11:07 AM
    Hometown: Jacksonville NC

    Comment:

    McCain is not the ideal candidate for anyone really. He was a rich kid who got through school on his dads money- he got shot down in Vietnam- and can only relate to about 1% of the population. I also found his ignorance of history, geography, technology and culture disturbing. he lived through most of our modern history for goodness sake. If he had any hope to make sense of things he would have to surround himself with advisers to think for him. We already have seen what that is like with bush. (...to be continued)


  • Name: Alan6644
    Date posted: 2008-08-06 4:49 AM
    Hometown: New York City

    Comment:

    McCain, whatever his positions, will be a tool of the American Christian Taliban, who are the true threat to America and freedom, surpassing the Islamic Extremists. A vote for him is like throwing the lever to open the trap door at your own hanging. Can you imagine what must go on in his mind, or doesn't, for a man who spent 5 years in captivity in North Vietnam, was tortured apparently constantly, and then supports the party that has made America a disgrace in the eyes of the world by torturing people. The guy must be a sociopath, just like Bush certainly is.


  • Name: Tim
    Date posted: 2008-08-06 12:32 AM
    Hometown: Oklahoma City

    Comment:

    Most of the comments are so typical of the kool-aid drinking, gay demoncrats crowd. Just follow your leader and don't think for yourself. Anyone who could support Obama as a serious presidential candidate cannot have the country's best interest at heart. Get real and do a little research instead of listening to the obviously biased media.


  • Name: kevin
    Date posted: 2008-08-05 9:11 PM
    Hometown: denver

    Comment:

    Quiet honestly, who cares what McCain thinks? He is more of the same old Republican BS.


  • Name: Sue
    Date posted: 2008-08-05 8:54 PM
    Hometown: MO

    Comment:

    If you want to see a change for our country and justice for all people....it's Obama all the way! If you want more of the same, the Republicans will give you that. Our country needs help, just in case you haven't noticed.


  • Name: DC John
    Date posted: 2008-08-05 8:50 PM
    Hometown: Washington DC

    Comment:

    About Senator McCain...... This is a man who has run around this country preaching the worthiness of our invasion of Iraq as a means of spreading democracy. This year, this very same Senator, despite pleas by his lapdog Senator Liberman, voted to continue the filibuster about giving the citizens of the District of Columbia, a vote in the House of Representatives. A guy followed him around DC dressed as a hippo yelling after the Senator..."HIPPO-CRIT!" which pissed off the Arizonan. Is it a coincidence that DC is majority African American population and one of the highest concentrations of LBGT people?


  • Name: Mark Thomas
    Date posted: 2008-08-05 6:40 PM
    Hometown: Wappingers Falls, NY

    Comment:

    McBush has destroyed the economy, the environment, education, health care, and engaged in illegal wiretapping and firing of Democrats (to name a few) while making the top 1% of our country (oil CEOs) rich. Now they are after gays/lesbians and trying to destroy us. How any gay person (or any person period) can vote Republican is an absolute mystery to me. McBush has the Supreme Court 5-4. The 4 will be retiring soon. Every person must vote Democrat in November and make sure his/her vote is counted or we will be living in a dictatorship. Don't say it can't happen here. McBush no doubt has the trains to the ovens all ready. Fox News will be happy to report it. Vote straight line Democrat!


  • Name: Scott Kukowski
    Date posted: 2008-08-05 4:33 PM
    Hometown: Austin, TX

    Comment:

    The man is over 1000 years old. If he hasn't changed his politics in the last millennium, why would anyone believe that he would change now? Get real!


  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2008-08-05 12:13 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    Hello!!! Those Log Cabin Republicans need to finally wake up and accept that the Republican party is anathema to LGBT rights and issues. They are NOT our friends; never have been; never will be... Any LGBT person who supports or votes for McCain is simply adding fuel to the fire which is intent on destroying us. It is tantamount to Jews voting for Hitler. The Democratic Party is our ONLY hope for equal rights. Moreover, one more conservative appointment to the Supreme Court and we are REALLY in trouble!


  • Name: celinda
    Date posted: 2008-08-04 11:40 PM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    Seems the group of GLBT is an important group. We should support GLBT more. They really live very hard, especially for those openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. I know many of them would like to choose some online service like the one BiLoves.


  • Name: Cancel My Subscription
    Date posted: 2008-08-04 9:49 PM
    Hometown: USA

    Comment:

    I hate the Advocate... we have the best presidential candidate on gay rights ever, someone who speaks about it to all audiences, and who is in favor of 90% of our issues, and shows signs that he will be even more supportive when elected... and the Advocate won't give him good press because he won't do an interview right before the election!?!?! I hope he becomes president and never gives the Advocate a damn interview.


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