Posted on 06/26/2005 6:20:28 PM PDT by Valin
THE Prime Minister's son, Euan Blair, has beaten around 100,000 hopefuls to secure an internship with a Republican congressman who is accused by gay rights campaigners of leading a double life.
Euan is to work for David Dreier on Capitol Hill in Washington.
The coveted intern posts often go to the most academically gifted, but connections are equally important. For a foreigner to be given an internship is highly unusual as the roles often go to graduates from the congressman's local district.
Euan, an ancient history graduate of Bristol University, has expressed an interest in entering politics and was a keen observer of the general election.
Downing Street confirmed the British embassy was involved in setting up the internship "for obvious security reasons".
Although Mr Blair is known for his strong relationship with President George Bush, the appointment raised eyebrows among Democrats.
Eric Burns, a spokesman for Democrat congresswoman Louise Slaughter, told a Sunday newspaper that the Washington rules committee, chaired by Mr Dreier, was one of the most partisan.
He said: "It is extremely surprising that the son of a Labour prime minister would intern with the Republican majority staff on the committee."
Mr Dreier, who will be the 21-year-old's mentor during his internship, has been accused of hypocrisy for opposing legislation to stop discrimination against gay couples when questions have been asked about his personal life.
He is believed to live with his male chief of staff and has refused to comment on his sexuality.
However, campaigners have accused him of double standards, pointing to his voting record in which he has opposed legislation to ban discrimination against gay people in employment and supported a ban on gay and lesbian couples adopting in the district of Columbia, as well as rejecting hate-crimes legislation intended to protect gays.
Mr Dreier, a Christian Scientist, also introduced a controversial bill for all workers to be forced to carry "fraud-resistant" social security cards that would include photos and encrypted magnetic strips - similar to UK proposals for ID cards.
Downing Street refused to comment on "any individuals" who might be associated with Euan's unpaid three-month internship but a spokesman said he would also go on to work for a Democratic party congressman.
Although internships are highly sought-after, the young apprentices often lead a far from glamorous existence. Their duties include photocopying, going to pick up dry- cleaning and answering phones.
I know bachelors who are not gay.
If Dreier's a devout Christian Scientist, he's a very moral man.
I'm so jealous you live in his district.
We're stuck with that unctuous, smarmy Bob Filner.
That's true. Just because he's a bachelor doesn't mean he's gay. I wasn't saying he was for sure. He is a nice looking man, keeps himself up well. Funny how the dems think his personal life matters to voters.
Personally, I don't think people really want to hear about the sex lives of their elected officials whether they're gay or straight. I think it's more like "Don't raise my taxes. Keep the government out of my hair. Make sure teachers teach my kids about reading, writing, and arithmetic so they can get by in the real world, NOT about "alternative" lifestyles, or putting condoms on cucumbers."
They sure have tried to bring him down,
but he's not salacious.
I totally agree with you,
and apparently most of his constituents do, too.
Ok thanks. Like I said, I never even knew his name before yesterday's artilce. You know more about this, I trust your insight.
I find it humorous to see the people who invented homophobia accuse the genuinely gay-friendly party of being homophobic, all the while bemoaning the fact that a supposed paragon of Republicanism has been outed. Give me a break!
First, Democrats have bent over backwards to not discuss Dreier's sexual orientation. In fact, they refused to use it against him. Gays have been trying to out Dreier for years -- with no success -- not because he's gay, but because he's a closeted, self-hating homophobe who votes against gay causes so he can keep his cover -- all the while, living with his chief of staff, whom he pays twice as much as any of his other staffers. Together, they have taken several questionable trips to gay-oriented destinations, under the guise of official business.
Dreier, Ken Mehlman -- and every other closeted gay Republican -- are traitors to the gay community, not because they don't march in parades, but because they vote against gay causes while benefiting from their treason.
Mark my word: When it's politically expedient, Dreier will come out as a "proud gay man," and demand that the Republican Party stop oppressing gay people. Or he'll wait until the rest of us, who have the backbone and self-respect to fight for gay rights, such as marriage, to win the fight then he'll take advantage of those rights, like the parasite he is. Perhaps he'll quietly marry his long-time partner, in a private ceremony, like Republican strategist and one-time self-loathing homosexual, Arthur Finkelstein, did in Massachusetts this year.
Or maybe Dreier will become another James West, the Republican mayor of Spokane who, as a state senator, was the most vocal opponent of gay rights in the WA Senate, and who, as mayor, was discovered to be using the city's computers to troll gay sex sites for sex, preferring the company of 17 and 18 year-old boys, frequently offering them internships in exchange for sexual favors.
Dreier, Mehlman, Finkelstein, West et al represent a pathology that the Republican Party created and continues to foster.
The only thing the Democrats have done -- but not to a sufficient degree -- is expose it.
There is zero evidence that Dreier or Ken Mehlman are gay. All each of these "outings" are is an attempt by liberal activists to drive a wedge between them and the conservative base. It's trashcan politics.
"Maybe he isn't homosexual at all, just the nastiest thing the homosexuals can try to do to him is to claim that he is."
This comment alone sums up what is wrong with this whole thread of discussion. The fact that some of you -- if not most -- believe that homosexuality is something to be ashamed up, that it constitutes an insult or a slur, speaks volumes.
The question isn't whether Dreier is gay; he is. The question is what kind of person leads a double life, betrays himself and other gays, in exchange for power. The Nazi party was teeming with gays, and their sexuality was tolerated, until it became an embarrassment. The ones who were not killed or expelled, went into the closet and became the most ardent and vocal persecutors.
Sure Dreier may share many Conservative ideals, but he is still fundamentally a reprehensible human being, to gays because he betrays us, and to you -- although you fail to realize it -- because, deep down inside, he represents what Republicans hate most: the gay lifestyle. And don't be fooled, Dreier may not march in parades in his district, but he leads a very gay life in Washington.
He's going to intern with the Democrats after the Republicans. How interesting that The Scotsman left out that fact.
This is from The Telegraph. See last paragraph: Euan Blair takes intern role with US Republicans
Also, this in the Washington Times, 2nd paragraph: Washington Times
There is a mound of evidence, the most compelling being their secrecy and refusal to answer the question, which has been put to both of them, point blank in public. You can argue as long as you want that they don't have to "dignify" such a question with a response. But, to date, they are the only two "straight" men who refuse to confirm their heterosexuality.
The maniacal and supercilious demand that someone isn't gay because there is no proof is risible.
There has been "no proof" about all the closeted politicians, entertainers, and athletes who rely on the naivete of people like you, not to mention your own deepseeded homophobia that prohibits you from considering that someone you admire might be gay (gasp!).
Gays were whispering about Mayor James West for years, but the press refused to mention it, as did his Democratic opponents. As I said, it took someone catching him trolling gay sex sites, hooking up with 18 year-old boys, and exchanging internships for favors for anyone to stand up and pay attention.
And let's not forget Dan Gurley, the national field director and deputy political director for the RNC. He denied he was gay for years, until his profile was located on gay.com, in which he advertised for anonymous, unsafe sex. He finally admitted both his sexual orientation and the ad, only because copies of it were made before he deleted it.
Like I said, zero evidence. If they don't want to be dragged into an "I am not a wife beater" situation, based on accusations supported by nothing by partisan hysteria, then I don't blame them.
The maniacal and supercilious demand that someone isn't gay because there is no proof is risible.
Don't use words you don't the meaning of. It's not a "demand," nor is it "supercilious" to not believe in things for which there is no evidence.
not to mention your own deepseeded homophobia that prohibits you from considering that someone you admire might be gay (gasp!).
My opinion of Dreier wouldn't change if he married his male secretary next week. However, those of many in the conservative coalition would, based on the moral issue, something the liberal activist corps knows full well which is why they're tossing out all these baseless accusations. George W. Bush has never denied that he procured an abortion for some girl in the 1970s, because there's no evidence that he did and it would be ridiculous to give any crapola story any play by recognizing it. Has Bill Clinton denied that he "raped" Hillary?
"supported by nothing by partisan hysteria," should be "supported by nothing but partisan hysteria".
"Don't use words you don't the meaning of" should be "Don't use words you don't know the meaning of".
Shouldn't run through it so hastily.
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