Gay Republican Blocked From Iowa Debate

Fred Karger, the gay Republican exploring a presidential bid for 2012, has been excluded from a candidates' forum to be hosted by the Iowa Christian Alliance next month because the group says he "is not a legitimate candidate."

Karger, a former Republican consultant from California, told The Hill about the exclusion from the March 7 event.

"But Steve Scheffler, president of the Iowa group, said Karger wasn't among the 15 potential candidates invited to attend because he only talks about one issue -- gay rights," reported The Hill.

"'We're inviting all potential candidates who are legitimate candidates," said Scheffler, who added that Karger "is not a legitimate candidate."

"That's code for homophobia," said Karger, who continued, "I'm going to send him a letter and ask that I be included, and I'm going to look to the [Federal Election Commission] to see what the rules are."

Potential Republican contenders expected to attend the forum include Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, and Tim Pawlenty.