Log Cabin Republicans Defend Romney Endorsement With Delusions And Spin

Perhaps the Log Cabin Republicans’ endorsement of Mitt Romney has already received more attention than it probably deserves, but as the gay conservatives continue to defend their choice, they paint a distorted picture of the candidate that must be called out. The group’s level of delusion in terms of the LGBT ally they think Romney can be far exceeds their false hope that he might endorse employment nondiscrimination protections. In a new response from LCR’s Chris Pick, the group takes a defensive stand against accusations that they are traitors to the gay community and suggests that they have been physically threatened, which of course should be condemned. But Pick then makes a case for Romney that does not in any way reflect reality:

Observing the onslaught of hostility, it is apparent that too many in the LGBT community are laboring under a misperception of who Governor Romney is. As we said in our endorsement statement, Mitt Romney is not Rick Santorum.

If Santorum is really the bar by which LCR measures an ally to the gay community, then the group has no standard whatsoever. Surely in 2012, an ally can be measured by more than simply not attacking gay people at every opportunity.

Mitt Romney is the candidate who, when asked in a primary debate last year, “when’s the last time you stood up and spoke out for increasing gay rights?” answered, “right now.”

Romney made this statement just seconds after reiterating his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Mitt Romney is the candidate who, as a moderate governor of Massachusetts, appointed several openly gay individuals as judges and said “he has not paid a moment’s notice to his nominees’ … sexual orientation.”

This ignores the fact that he also fired staffers ostensibly for being openly gay and he opposes federal workplace protections for LGBT employees.

Mitt Romney is the candidate who has campaigned on his record as a successful businessman and problem-solver, and whose aversion to running on social issues leaves antigay leaders like Maggie Gallagher frothing with frustration: “gay marriage should be helping put Romney in the White House. Instead, in his consultant-tested messaging, Romney is conveying discomfort with his own position,” she recently wrote.

Pick is essentially praising Romney for his flaky waffling on social issues, despite the fact he’s been quite consistent on his opposition to LGBT equality. Further, Gallagher’s comment is taken out of context; her post was about his messaging on the issue of abortion, and her addition of “gay marriage” seemed to be a complaint about his “discomfort,” but merely that he isn’t capitalizing on it more. This seems to be another application of the not-Santorum standard — “frothing” pun apparently intended.

Contrary to the irresponsible claims of certain activists, Governor Romney has no intention of reinstating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” or stopping same-sex partners from being able to visit their loved ones in the hospital.

It is true that Romney does not plan to reinstate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” of his own accord, but he did oppose its repeal, and many in his party have made it clear they would try to reinstate it if Republicans win back power in this election. As for hospital visitation, Romney’s campaign clarified just this week that he sees this as a “benefit” that states can decide whether to offer for same-sex couples. As with employment protections, he’s all too willing to turn a blind eye at the federal level to what discrimination is allowed in the states.

Log Cabin Republicans believe we should never make the perfect the enemy of the good. We encourage all Americans, especially members of the LGBT community, to get beyond the caricatures, the memes, and the myths. Before you call us crazy –- or worse — take a moment to try and see what we see. It may surprise you.

President Obama has not been “perfect” on LGBT issues either, but he’s been the strongest advocate ever to occupy the White House. Romney comes nowhere close to anything resembling “good,” and even championed economic policies that LCR champions would be harmful to those the group represents. If there is any “myth” to Romney’s comprehensive opposition to LGBT equality and blatant insensitivity to the LGBT community and its families, it’s the one being peddled by Log Cabin Republicans this week.