"Why 'Modern Family' Star Eric Stonestreet Refused A Photo With Rick Santorum" (Huffington Post)

The Huffington Post ^ | 7/23/14 | Ryan Buxton

[Faith Presses On]

There's no question that Emmy-winning sitcom "Modern Family" is influencing American cultural opinions on same-sex relationships through its characters Mitch and Cam, and that influence goes all the way up to the most powerful people on the planet.

. . .

"President Obama mentioned in an interview like three weeks ago, just casually, that Michelle and the kids watch Mitch and Cam and they're in tears," Stonestreet said. "To hear the leader of the free world, the president of the United States, say that and to know we have that sort of reach with people and that the people in power and leadership are watching the show [is incredible]."

But the fandom isn't always mutual. Stonestreet added that he loves attending the White House Correspondents Dinner because he gets to see politicians "for who they are," and he's often shocked at who approaches him. For instance:

"Rick Santorum wanted a picture with me. It was at a time when he was publicly saying, 'Gay marriage, gay marriage [is wrong],' and I'm like, 'You know, I can't do it,'" he said. "It was with him and his kids or something like that, and I said, 'I'd be happy to take a picture with the kids, but I can't just be in a picture with [Santorum.]'"

[Faith Presses On]

It's sobering to see things like this, that Santorum wanted a picture with Stonestreet but Stonestreet refused. It can't be said out of principle, but that he knows that the broad and easy path is becoming the dominant one today.

[lee martell]

In short, it would have been ‘bad for business’. In addition, Santorum or one of his advisors if he has any, should have expected this. He fell right into the trap of playing the Right-Winger Openly Snubbed.

[lacrew]

“Michelle and the kids watch Mitch and Cam and they’re in tears”

Sasha is 13, I believe....

Fairly adult themed show.

[rlmorel]

"...President Obama mentioned in an interview like three weeks ago, just casually, that Michelle and the kids watch Mitch and Cam and they're in tears," Stonestreet said. "To hear the leader of the free world, the president of the United States, say that and to know we have that sort of reach with people and that the people in power and leadership are watching the show [is incredible]..."

Having seen just five minutes of that crap on television, the statement above speaks volumes.

Volumes.

[originalbuckeye]

Why would Santorum want a picture with Stonestreet anyway?????

[Vaquero]

That is one show that is not watched in this house.

What’s next Pedophilia family? The Beastiality Show? Auto erotic follies ? This is what brought down Rome.

[rlmorel]

"...Stonestreet added that he loves attending the White House Correspondents Dinner because he gets to see politicians "for who they are"..."

This guy doesn't have two brain cells to rub together.

[PGR88]

Why try to become friends with any of these clowns?

[cdga5for4]

I was with Santorum at Letterman several years ago. Tina Fay came up and asked for a picture. She said, “Do you mind if I take a picture with you? My parents are big fans.” It was pretty funny.

[rlmorel]

I had a discussion on FR with someone just the other day on that exact subject. Reading a book right now about Atilla the Hun, and previously Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, one cannot avoid the frightening parallels.

Well, unless one is too stupid to see them, which is what most Romans were doing right up to the day their enemies came knocking at their front door. They were pretending life was going to go on like it had, forever.

Kind of like us.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Is there any show which does not have homosexual characters, and does not constantly involve homosexual themes???

[Hot Tabasco]

Stonestreet added that he loves attending the White House Correspondents Dinner because he gets to see politicians "for who they are," and he's often shocked at who approaches him.

Another elitist prick........I've never once been invited to the white house........

[Starstruck]

I get it. Obama’s kids relate to having the gay dad.

[truth_seeker]

“Why would Santorum want a picture with Stonestreet anyway?????”

Since he will never be elected President, he needs a career. His is perpetual media personality, whereby almost any publicity is better than none.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Po’d me last football season when ESPN had Stonestreet on as a guest picker on Gameday for the Clemson vs Georgia game. They weren’t just trying to push the ABC show but definitely wanted to gay Gameday up. ESPN’s people would constantly inform us that the reason he was on was because he is Kansas State fan. WTF? Neither Clemson or Georgia has ever played that team in their history. If it was only about college football and the show they could have gave us Ed Ed O’Neill.

[x]

Stonestreet does come across as a snob who wants to rub shoulders with bigwigs, but I don't think the White House Correspondents' Dinner is actually in the White House. It's run by a separate organization.

It wouldn't be a bad thing if the dinner really did show politicians "for who they are," but lately it's just been softball lines about Obama and a lot of bashing of Republicans.

[Flick Lives]

Is there any show which does not have homosexual characters, and does not constantly involve homosexual themes???

Walking Dead
Falling Skies
Sons of Anarchy
Big Bang Theory
The Americans

[DoodleDawg]

It's sobering to see things like this, that Santorum wanted a picture with Stonestreet but Stonestreet refused...

Given the character he plays and the positions he supports - gay marriage and the like - I'm questioning why Santorum would want his picture with Stonestreet.

It can't be said out of principle...

I can't see why else he would have refused.

[Dr. Thorne]

Never seen it. Don’t intend to.

[Dilbert San Diego]

I was being sarcastic. Of course there are shows which don’t push homosexuality. But it sure seems like we hear a lot about this subject from popular TV shows.