McCain Says He Couldn’t Pick A Running Mate Who Is ‘Pro-Gay Rights’
McCain Says He Couldn’t Pick A Running Mate Who Is ‘Pro-Gay Rights’
In an interview with the Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes yesterday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that he wouldn’t rule out former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge as his running mate even though “he happens to be pro-choice.” McCain added that being “pro-life” is a “fundamental tenet” of the Republican Party, “but that does not mean we exclude people from our party that are pro-choice.”
McCain then indicated that he thought the party could “exclude people” for being “pro-gay rights“:
“I think it’s a fundamental tenet of our party to be pro-life but that does not mean we exclude people from our party that are pro-choice. We just have a–albeit strong–but just it’s a disagreement. And I think Ridge is a great example of that. Far more so than Bloomberg, because Bloomberg is pro-gay rights, pro, you know, a number of other issues.”
Asked if McCain meant someone couldn’t “be pro-gay and still be a Republican,” an anonymous McCain adviser told the Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder that McCain’s Bloomberg comment was actually “a message of inclusion.”
McCain’s comments contradict the inclusive tone he struck in the past when he sought the support of the gay community. In 1998, McCain told Chris Matthews that the Republican Party shouldn’t “discriminate against anyone” because of “their sexual orientation“:
MCCAIN: And I’ll tell you right now, the Log Cabin Party–Republican Party–should be part of our–of our party. And I believe the Christian right should be part of–of our party. I respect their views. My view is that in the case of the military, the don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy was appropriate. And I also believe that–that gays should not be in the military, and I know that that’s a–a s–a–a problem that a lot of people would have. At the same time, I don’t believe that we should discriminate against anyone. And with that–and that includes because of their sexual orientation. [CNBC Hardball, 6/15/98]
Now McCain is more than respecting the views of the Christian right when it comes to gay rights, he’s kow-towing to them. Earlier this year, McCain personally met with the president of the Log Cabin Republicans, but the group has yet to officially endorse him.
What do the Log Cabin members think of a candidate who now supports excluding those who are “pro-gay rights?”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Well this is surely gonna bring out the freaks and lunatics. Can’t these people just get over this whole gay thing?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pmGay rights are simply human rights, so how could one not be for gay rights?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:53 pmThe Metamorphosis of a Flip-Flopping, Warmonging Bigot!
August 14th, 2008 at 12:54 pmMcCain’s Bloomberg comment was actually “a message of inclusion.”
Why, yes, I often include people by excluding them from consideration for positions.
Just once, once, I’d like to the see the so called liberal media take McCain to task on all the flip-flopping and pandering he’s done.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:55 pmThis is getting so convoluted that NO ONE will be able to figure out McDepends position on anything. Which is beginning to look like his strategy.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:56 pmWhy is Mc-I-can’t-hold-my-arm-up given a free pass at every turn?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:56 pmOh, Daryll…………………..
August 14th, 2008 at 12:56 pmWell, I guess we won’t be seeing a Vice President Lindsey (”Light-in-the-Loafers”) Graham. That is certainly a big relief.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pmMcBush realizes that without the Christian Right Wing Nutters he has no chance. But I think it’ll hurt him in the end — it’s not the Christians he should be kow-towing to (they’ll come around in the end) — it should be the independents. So dbadass I don’t think it will bring out the freaks and lunatics as much as it’ll scare away the sane and moderate voice.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pmMCCAIN: And I’ll tell you right now, the Log Cabin Party–Republican Party–should be part of our–of our party. And I believe the Christian right should be part of–of our party. I respect their views. My view is that in the case of the military, the don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy was appropriate. And I also believe that–that gays should not be in the military, and I know that that’s a–a s–a–a problem that a lot of people would have. At the same time, I don’t believe that we should discriminate against anyone. And with that–and that includes because of their sexual orientation. [CNBC Hardball, 6/15/98]
Help me people, I read this several times and I am confused! Isn’t he contradicting himself?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pmMcCain’s Bloomberg comment was actually “a message of inclusion.”
Logically it follows that in order to “include” someone, others must be “excluded.”
Nice “cup half full” spin from the librul mee-dya.
-
Other McCain: “I don’t mind gays, just keep them the HELL away from me.”
August 14th, 2008 at 12:58 pmpax Says:
Doesn’t he ALWAYS contradict himself?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:58 pmWe could see lindsey, or larry craig as a veep, they’re not gay, just ask them. They want to keep gay sex where it belongs, in the closet, hidden in public restrooms, and furtive.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pmrobbez, don’t feel bad for Daryll. Even though Daryll is gay, he doesn’t know it and doesn’t support gay rights, so he has no idea how much he is discriminating against himself.
Ignorance is bliss, right?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pmI wrote this weeks ago, but can you just picture the debates? McCain will need a section in the audience with cue cards saying “pro” and “con” so they can let the puppet in on his message du jour.
Fun times ahead… fun times
PEACE
August 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pmHelp me people, I read this several times and I am confused! Isn’t he contradicting himself?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm Recommend (0) | Report Abuse
August 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
They are called human rights….they are human, they don’t deserve to be discriminated against by anyone, much less the repukian fascist scum.
Repukes just creep me out, I think they are all just sick in the head, a more vile lot of knuckle-draggers is hard to find.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:01 pmAmendment XIV
Section 1.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pmAll persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Once again Flippy McSpin goes out of his way to separate himself from himself. I almost feel sorry for the guy. Almost.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pmI love the line from the movie, “Barfly” when Mickey Rourke says, “It’s not that I don’t like people — I just like it when they’re not around”
McLoser’s updated version:
“I don’t like gay people — and I like it when they’re not around me”
August 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pmhmmmm, Daryll seems to be tardy today. His circle jerk session for the day must still be in progress.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pmSo Charlie Crist is not in the running, eh?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:08 pmMcInsane up to his old tricks!
August 14th, 2008 at 1:08 pmLet’s be fair, TP — McCain didn’t actually say he couldn’t pick a running mate who was pro-gay rights. What he actually said was, “Far more so than Bloomberg, because Bloomberg is pro-gay rights, pro, you know, a number of other issues.”
I suspect this has less to do with pro-choice being more “forgiveable” than pro-gay, and more to do with McCain finding some way to justify support for Tom Ridge (from a battleground state) while simultaneously condemning another Republican not favored by the evangelical rabid right — Bloomberg — who comes from a state McCain knows he can’t get.
Believe me — if it was Ridge who was pro-gay but not pro-choice and Bloomberg was both, McCain would find some way to claim that pro-gay is OK but pro-choice is not. And he may still suggest that if he needs somebody in a battleground state who’s pro-gay rights.
Another day, another pander…
August 14th, 2008 at 1:09 pmGood one pete, got a good laugh out of that.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:09 pm#26 :
and there sure are a lot of disabilities :
dimentia (i.e)
yah, maybe he should have offed himself — and none of us now would have to deal with him.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pmWell if torture works he was just telling the truth, right?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:14 pmI suggest that they exclude everyone from the Republican party for every little thing until no one is left.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:16 pmLet’s be real:
elect McLoser:
RIP USA
August 14th, 2008 at 1:16 pmThat’s OK. On Nov. 4 the voters will say they can’t pick a President who is pro-Republican.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:20 pmmccain is no war hero. He was in it for the glory, period. Worse, he stood by as his right wing attack machine disparaged true American hero’s, some in wheelchairs with no arms or legs to hold up.
Get off your high horse. You were on board for swiftboating democrats and now you want to be indignant for an off color remark about a glory hog.
We know who the true American patriots are and you and mccain don’t qualify.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:21 pmMaybe he should’ve just offed himself in that prison camp
Gee, dennis, maybe there is some hope for you. Keep up the good work. Here’s another line for you to practice on:
“The best part of GDumbya ran down Babsy’s leg.”
August 14th, 2008 at 1:21 pmGlad to be of service, Keith. I have to spend a certain portion of each day laughing at these idiots in order to keep my sanity.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pmBobwurst Says:
——————————————————————————–
We could see lindsey, or larry craig as a veep
Absolutely. The fact that they are closeted gays does not matter. What matters to Republicans is that they never admit it, they hate open gays, and work feverishly to deny gays their rights as American citizens.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:29 pmYour hypocracy and vile name calling(which is what you always accuse others of….more hypocracy) are the reason you are despised here and probably in your trailer park too.
I’m flagging you every time I see you post from this point forward.
Cheers.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:29 pmIt’s a little off topic but, if you would like to see the Reichwingers try to explain why McSpins time as a POW justifies his infidelity, this is a must see.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/08/13/hannity-pwns-himself-over-john-mccains-own-affair-double-standard-applies-to-edwards/
August 14th, 2008 at 1:34 pmCraig/Foley ‘12
hehehe
August 14th, 2008 at 1:37 pmMy view is that in the case of the military, the don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy was appropriate. And I also believe that–that gays should not be in the military,
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell works for gays in the military, but gays shouldn’t serve – and as always, thank you for your service.”
Which way is up?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:40 pmANY - and I do mean ANY – gay person who would actually vote Republican needs to have his (or her) head examined.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:41 pmI am gay and find the log cabin people despicable! What an oxymoron! Gay Republicans! What a waste of their energy.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:41 pmI didn’t call anyone a sexist pig. I wasn’t even on TP yesterday.
And I’m not a woman (at least that last time I looked!)
August 14th, 2008 at 1:44 pmGood for president elect McCain (God told me)!
He should not have to choose liberal minded cabinet members who agree to sin.
You liberals are evil. I SHAKE YOUR DEVIL OFF!
Your sick twisted views are unjustifiable before my eyes. You must ask forgiveness now, or burn!
But, I do forgive McCain for being a cranky old fart.
The above is my rendition of a Parodyll post.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:44 pmHow’d I do?
ScaryBrownHusseinChick (ThinkOutsideTheBush) Says
August 14th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I suggest that they exclude everyone from the Republican party for every little thing until no one is left.
__________________________________________________________
I think McCain is pretty much emptying the tent as quickly as he can in his efforts to pander to the evangelicals. He doesn’t realize that most of them would vote for him over Obama anyway, and all his work is just alienating all the moderates and independents — voters he truly does need to win.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:45 pmWhat a minute are you telling me that there are people who have nothing better to do than chase other folks around blogs? That is so weird…
August 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pmDRxJ Says
August 14th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
The above is my rendition of a Parodyll post.
How’d I do?
______________________________________________________
Not too bad — I gave it a recommend. Now, if you could just work “Acts 2:38″ into the shtick, you’d be even closer.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pmpax, most closeted gays are Republicans. Belonging to a club which detests them helps to feed their feelings of self-loathing.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pmok.
rewrite of my post :
“Why the hell is McWar given a frickin’ pass at every frickin’ turn?”
August 14th, 2008 at 1:49 pmKay Says:
I didn’t call anyone a sexist pig. I wasn’t even on TP yesterday.
It sounds more like something Katy would say, anyway.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:49 pmDRxJ Says:
————————————————————-
The above is my rendition of a Parodyll post.
How’d I do?
Pretty good, but you forgot to include something about Jesus hating gays.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:49 pmHere’s a scary thought,,mcnut’s/cheney ..2008 with rove as a backup adviser…..Ugh!…P.B. & J
August 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pmbarfly Says:
Kay Says:
I didn’t call anyone a sexist pig. I wasn’t even on TP yesterday.
It sounds more like something Katy would say, anyway.
Kay, Katy, six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Interesting that Dr Matt has a cyberstalker, though. Creeeeeeepy.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:52 pmCowards like dennis love to get in arguments online. It’s better than getting their nose broken.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:54 pmRemember the Republican ad comparing Max Cleland (Captain in Vietnam who lost three limbs) to bin Laden?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:55 pmbentley1 Says:
Help me people, I read this several times and I am confused! Isn’t he contradicting himself?
Now you understand the Real McCain.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pmdennis Says:
please help me flag this diseminator off of the board.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:59 pmHell, I bet he can’t even pick a candidate who is even remotely human.
August 14th, 2008 at 2:52 pmMcLame was pro-gay before he was against it. Always a ‘marriage’ of convenience, though. I have a question. If the Fright Wing is touting that it was 30 years ago that McCain cheated on his wife and it isn’t relevant, than isn’t his service as a POW irrelevant now, too? I get so tired of people thinking that this WAR-MONGER was somehow sainted by getting shot down over Vietnam. For this FLIP-FLOPPER to be even close in the polls is really disturbing, but I guess we can pin that on the ‘librul media.’ Let’s face it: John McCain is a pandering tool who will say anything to get elected and throw anyone off the Straight Talk Express that isn’t politically expedient. Trying to discredit a whole group of people as unworthy – tuh Gayz – is discrimination of the worst sort because it’s acceptable to so many of his Neanderthal Buddies. Why does there ALWAYS have to be a BogeyMan for the Republicans? Can’t we all just learn to get along?
August 14th, 2008 at 2:59 pmKay Says:
I didn’t call anyone a sexist pig. I wasn’t even on TP yesterday.
And I’m not a woman (at least that last time I looked!)
Do you work for MIB?
August 14th, 2008 at 3:03 pmJust as a side note: I watched a program once on the Log Cabin Republicans. What a bunch of whoring greedy bastards…all of them. To them, being a Republican is acceptable because to them it’s all about their economics – them getting some o’ dat moolah – at the expense of their souls. Courting with those that want to destroy you isn’t so smart. Maybe Israel should stop playing footsie with the American Evangelical movement as well.
August 14th, 2008 at 3:04 pmIf mccain was a democrat the right wing would claim that he stole that jet and deserted to the NVA and spent the war in a hotel called the Hanoi Hilton.
August 14th, 2008 at 3:05 pmEqual rights for all.
What part of those four words don’t make sense to the anti-gay crowd?
August 14th, 2008 at 3:09 pmAsked if McCain meant someone couldn’t “be pro-gay and still be a Republican,” an anonymous McCain adviser told the Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder that McCain’s Bloomberg comment was actually “a message of inclusion.”
And black is white, up is down, and we’ve always been at war with Eastasia….
Funny how that last one seems to be more and more apropos with each passing day….
Cheers,
August 14th, 2008 at 3:17 pmIf you are “pro-life”, then you must be anti-war. If not, STFU.
August 14th, 2008 at 3:28 pmzuch Says:
——————————————————————————–
Asked if McCain meant someone couldn’t “be pro-gay and still be a Republican,” an anonymous McCain adviser told the Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder that McCain’s Bloomberg comment was actually “a message of inclusion.”
And black is white, up is down, and we’ve always been at war with Eastasia….
Funny how that last one seems to be more and more apropos with each passing day….
Cheers,
yesterday Rachel Maddow played a sound bite of a reporter asking mccain about his negitive campagin ads and he actually said he has nothing but postive ads. And he sounded like he meant it…
August 14th, 2008 at 3:32 pmIt’s not like we didn’t already know McCain has problems with the gays.
August 14th, 2008 at 3:38 pmMcCain has problems with the TRUTH…much less the gays…
August 14th, 2008 at 3:40 pm“Gay rights” has long been code for the radical gay agenda which is all about breaking down traditional American values and has absolutely nothing to do with homosexual sexual activity. Tolerance isn’t enough. The radical gay right activists and their progressive enablers are trying to legislate acceptance, which of course is something they’ll never receive from traditional American voters who believe that lifestyle is disgusting, degenerative, selfish and immoral.
August 14th, 2008 at 3:44 pmobomination: as a radical gay activist I completely agree with you. After we force everyone to accept homosexuality we shall slowly turn them all gay. Soon, if all goes to Plan (capital P), then by 2042 there won’t be any heterosexuals left. It’s people like you who foil our plans. Damn you for being so clever and intelligent!
August 14th, 2008 at 3:52 pmNearly three hours, 76 posts, and NO Daryll.
Must be a day off
or…an off-day.
(snicker)
August 14th, 2008 at 4:02 pmGosh…I never knew I was trying to change your point of view, Obamination. I just want you to stop legislating against me because you don’t like me. From your words, I’m not too fond of you, either, but I’m not going to do anything through the ’system’ to deny you your rights. Can’t you do the same for me, although you find me disgusting, degenerative, selfish and immoral? I find you the same way.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:08 pmOh…and one thing you’ve got up on me…judgmental…
August 14th, 2008 at 4:12 pmObamination, I know it has been very difficult for you, and you are afraid. But, if you could just accept your sexuality, and come out in the open, you can begin to heal from your lifetime of self-loathing, and some of the hatred for others of your sexual orientation should begin to dissapate.
Of course, if you come out of the closet, you will have to leave the Republican party.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:19 pmDemocrat Soldier Says:
Equal rights for all.
What part of those four words don’t make sense to the anti-gay crowd?
“““““““““““““““““““““`
Well see in the republican constitution and bill of rights their is a * next to those four words and it says:
Equal rights for all unless you have different colored skin then us, different religious beliefs then us, different political beliefs then us, different sexual preference then us (unless you like young children and animals)
August 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pmEqual rights for all * unless you have different colored skin then us, different religious beliefs then us, different political beliefs then us, different sexual preference then us (unless you like young children and animals)
August 14th, 2008 at 4:24 pmThe gay radical agenda is one of my favorites well right after the welfare queen myth and the spotted owl that put out of work all those fellows raising up their young folks and such…
August 14th, 2008 at 4:25 pm#78 – GeeDubs Says:
———————————————————-
“Gosh…I never knew I was trying to change your point of view, Obamination.”
August 14th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Whenever I hear the straw-man argument from the anti-gay folk that say things like “trying to legislate acceptance” or “force your lifestyle on me”, it’s usually code for them wanting to legislate THEIR form of intollerance, or forcing everyone else to live by what THEY consider “correct”.
As we saw with civil rights, these anti-progressive & anti-American folk will lose the battle to force others to outlaw anything with which they disagree.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:27 pmuh obomination, there is no such thing as gay rights or even a radical gay agenda. there are lots of gay US citizens that, thanks to people like you, have to fight against being denied rights that they, constitutionally , already have. YOUR “traditional” values are irrelevant to anyone else’s pursuit of life, liberty and so on. i doubt very much that most gay people care if YOU accept anything they do. you can be as uncomfortable as you want to with that gay thing, but to deny a fellow citizen anything you have a right to is about as unamerican as it gets.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:59 pmobomination Says:
“Gay rights” has long been code for the radical gay agenda which is all about breaking down traditional American values and has absolutely nothing to do with homosexual sexual activity. Tolerance isn’t enough. The radical gay right activists and their progressive enablers are trying to legislate acceptance, which of course is something they’ll never receive from traditional American voters who believe that lifestyle is disgusting, degenerative, selfish and immoral.
Congratulations you managed to shoehorn in all the mindlessly ignorant talking points that your hivemind masters have instructed you to repeat. Endlessly. You do understand you are a brainwashed fool dont you?
August 14th, 2008 at 6:11 pmLets face it McCain has the intellectual capcity of a Kiwi fruit
August 14th, 2008 at 6:11 pmBoy. Out trolls sure have the gay agenda sniffed out but, what about the Saracens moving North from Spain? If they hook up with the Nazis and Napoleon, things could go poorly for the slave masters in Rome. England, of course, will need to adopt Hinduism to compete and then, since our parent country is now Hindu, we will no longer be a “Christian nation” and the Muslims will send us all to Hell.
None of this will happen if we just pay attention to the trolls.
Sarc/off
August 14th, 2008 at 6:19 pmEugeneDebs Says:
Lets face it McCain has the intellectual capcity of a Kiwi fruit
August 14th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Let’s not be hasty. I’m quite certain that kiwi fruit are smart enough to realize they aren’t made of shoe polish. I’m not so certain about Flippy McSpin, however.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pmNice to know where McCain stands. He’s a bigot, yes, but he’s not totally opposed to abortion. I don’t know that being a bigot is going to be enough to the anti-choice loonies, but I guess it’s good to throw them some kind of bone.
August 14th, 2008 at 7:55 pm“What do the Log Cabin members think”?
I’ve wondered that for years. I assume the preference to Republicanism is because of the fiscal policies of the Paleocons, or perhaps the Neocon embrace of aggressive foreign action?
In the end, as for any chance of equal rights for gay and lesbian couples being accepted in the Republican mainstream; they haven’t got a prayer, so to speak.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:00 pmGuess I don’t need to become overly concerned about McCain becoming too enlightened. Like Bush . . . McCain is a pandering hypocrite who will do whatever it takes to become the Prez.
Have you considered doing a bit of Lazarusing, McCain?
August 14th, 2008 at 9:18 pmYou know how hard “true” believers get when politicians go out and try to Lazarus the dead or the brain-dead. Think of the voting potential. GLORY!
Oh . . . btw Obomination. You have a big ol booger hanging out of nose.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:25 pmIts pathetic that John McCain had to travel to Maine to clear his vice presidential choice with King Bush. Just shows how much influence the Bush/Chaney/Rove mafia would have in a McCain White House, God forbid.
August 15th, 2008 at 7:46 pmRepublicans don’t believe that being different is a human right. They believe someone who is different threatens who they are. If Republicans were secure in who they are, they wouldn’t fear granting everyone the same human rights they enjoy.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:56 pmWhen a religion forces its beliefs on others who don’t wish it, it is no longer a religion–it’s TYRANNY. Pure and simple. True personal religious belief is not something that can be brought by coercion or law. It seems to me that this election is all about others trying to make inroads with their own religious ideals through government legislation.
September 13th, 2008 at 2:35 amAbortion and reproductive rights, sex education, God wants a pipeline or God wants a war, Creationism versus Evolution in the classroom, anti-gay rights legislation…
I wish the Republicans would quit trying to bonk us over the head with some version of “God’s will” all the time.