Gay Patriot West takes a look at just how wrong-headed HRC has
been, with its focus on defeating Bush instead of fighting state
referendums. And an excellent point relayed about their infantile
"George Bush, You're Fired" sound trucks during last summer's GOP
convention:
Who were they trying to influence? I mean, did HRC actually think GOP delegates who spent thousands of dollars to go the convention (not to mention all the political capital, such as years of activism for GOP causes, it takes to win election as a delegate) would read those signs and change their minds about a man whose nomination they came to celebrate?
[Update: As quoted in the Washington Blade, gay Republican activist Carl Schmid drives the point home:
"You can just fight, fight, fight and try to defeat these Republicans, but that hasn't been successful," Schmid said. "HRC spent millions to defeat Republicans and maybe they should spend some money on educating Republicans. The issue of gay marriage is not doing so well. I don't think 'George Bush: You're Fired' does a good job at educating America about gay marriage."]
Gay Patriot also ponders why Log Cabin can't bring itself (as of this late writing) to comment on Bush's victory. I'd add that LCR has a big problem right now. The nonendorsement (which I supported) and public criticism of Bush (which I think did veer close to endorsing Kerry) put them on the outs with the White House. For the life of me, I can't fathom why or how Chris Barron, who began 2003 supporting John Edwards for president, became political director and spokesperson -- the most highly visible position after executive director Patrick Guerriero. Did this not seem like it would be a problem?
And I'm disappointed that when Bush made his statement a few weeks ago that civil unions were ok by him and that the GOP platform committee was wrong to oppose them, there was no response whatsoever from LCR. Talk about missing an opportunity to re-open dialog! This really did make it seem that they were hoping and betting on a Kerry victory.
LCR is needed, but Guerriero and the board have made terrible
mistakes. If they don't shape up, they'll remain totally
marginalized. Championing core Republican policy initiatives would
help them re-establish their now-in-doubt GOP credentials and not
seem like Democrats in drag. Sulking with the gay left about Bush's
victory (with over 1 million self-identified gay votes!) is simply
churlish.