Not that I’d make too much of it, but it’s at least worth noting that the Value Voters Summit presidential straw poll was won by Rep. Ron Paul, one of the 15 GOP House members to vote for repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” and a non-supporter of the anti-gay federal marriage amendment. Businessman Herman Cain, who thinks homosexuality is a choice (when asked; his website is silent on gay matters when discussing “faith & family issues“), came in second. But former Sen. Rick Santorum and Rep. Michele Bachmann, the real homophobes who are the most vocal in scapegoating gay people and calling for anti-gay legislation, came in just third and fourth respectively (Gov. Rick Perry tied with Bachmann in the fourth spot).
Straw polls are won by the candidate with the best organization, but the Values Voters Summit is sponsored, and tightly controlled, by the vehemently anti-gay Family Research Council. That they couldn’t arrange for an anti-gay fire-breather to win is an encouraging sign of the times.
More. Per the comments, Rep. Paul made a conservative constitutional case against a constitutional amendment in “The Federal Marriage Amendment Is a Very Bad Idea” and in this interview with John Stossel.
16 Comments for “Even in the Belly of the Beast”
posted by daftpunkydavid on
pro-equality republicans and conservatives need to work harder within their party… unfortunately, your analysis seems to be more wishful thinking than anything else …
i envy your optimism, but i just don’t see it that way. it will get worse before it gets better; equality-minded republicans and moderates are leaving their own party. it will take time before they come back and can rule it again.
posted by Tom Scharbach on
Straw polls are won by the candidate with the best organization, but the Values Voters Summit is sponsored, and tightly controlled, by the vehemently anti-gay Family Research Council. That they couldn’t arrange for an anti-gay fire-breather to win is an encouraging sign of the times.
The news reports that I’ve read indicate that Paul’s college-age supporters bought $50 one-day tickets in droves on Saturday, the day of the straw poll, but were not otherwise interested in the conference. Most seem to have shown up, voted and got the hell out of there afterwards as soon as they could find the door.
Paul’s campaign has worked out a way to harness the enthusiasm of his supporters into successful straw poll results. However, his RCP polling numbers remain at his constant 8%, which hasn’t varied a half point in a year, and all the straw polls in the world won’t move that number up or down.
The result is certainly entertaining and a poke in the nose for Tony Perkins, that drekhead. The only result that would have been more improbable would have been a Huntsman sweep. I’ll bet that Perkins is rethinking his decision not to allow campaigns to buy blocks of tickets this year. And it is beyond entertaining to watch the VV clowns try to spin the thing in a way that makes them look like anything other than total dorks who’ve been royally had.
Funny though it may be, however, I agree with daftpunkydavid that reading anything into the Paul win is more wishful thinking than reality.
I’ve been trying to get the text copies of each candidate’s remarks. Does anyone know where to get them?
posted by Tom Scharbach on
Transcripts pf the candidate’s remarks are posted in The Cloakroom at the FRC Action website, for those of you who are interested.
posted by Jorge on
Oh, I’d ignore this easily–Ron Paul winning a values voter what?–but Ron Paul seems to have been placing third or fourth semi-regularly in polls and straw polls. Things seem different than in 2008 and his campaign is doing better in every way. I’m not saying that I like it.
posted by KipEsquire on
Ron Paul is an flaming anti-gay bigot. Deal with it.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul207.html
Yes, he opposed the FMA, but supported DOMA — and still supports the absurd and obscene notion of “states’ rights” to deny equal protection.
posted by another steve on
For those who didn’t bother to click, the link that KipEsquire thinks is so damning is titled “The Federal Marriage Amendment Is a Very Bad Idea” by Rep. Ron Paul, MD. Yes, damn that homophobic bastard!
Let’s see, Rep. Paul voted to end the military gay ban, opposes the federal marriage amendment, supports DOMA but explains it in terms of states having the right to determine their marriage laws (suggesting he’s at least open to repealing the ban on federal recognition where states recognize gay marraiges). And you damn him as if he were Hitler.
Your position — forgive the Democrats everything; give Republicans who could be won over nothing (so much better for the one true party if we tell them we don’t want them on our side!).
posted by Jorge on
I see nothing wrong with a politician supporting the Defense of Marriage Act. Both Clintons did. At worst it may be an outdated position.
posted by BobN on
and a non-supporter of the anti-gay federal marriage amendment
Careful, too much stretching like that and you’ll pull something…
posted by another steve on
Yes, that awful Ron Paul and his awful position statement, “The Federal Marriage Amendment Is a Very Bad Idea.”
posted by BobN on
He favors 50 state-level bans. Whoop-de-doo.
posted by another steve on
And where does he do that? [Quick answer: he never did, but so much more fun to make stuff up, eh BobN]
Paul has said, “I am supportive of all voluntary associations and people can call it whatever they want.”
See his interview with John Stossel, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJz81lAwY0M.
posted by Houndentenor on
What exactly is a “voluntary association”? Would that include a legal agreement of some kind that gives you “next of kin” status in an emergency medical situation?
posted by Doug on
Does a voluntary association give me the tax and legal benefits? I think not.
posted by G.K. on
How many commenters agree that closing down the U.S. securities exchanges and nationalizing banks should be part of the LGBT progressive agenda?
posted by Tom Scharbach on
The LGBT agenda, progressive or conservative, should be focused solely on achieving equality under the law. Period.
posted by Jorge on
What’s this? Is someone sending gays Occupy Wall Street tracts?
It sounds stupid on the surface, especially since we’ve had decent results under the Obama administration. But if it becomes a social movement, that would change things.