Posted on 07/16/2005 12:12:46 PM PDT by gopgen
Gay-rights opponent Santorum stands by outed aide
BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN
Knight Ridder Newspapers
WASHINGTON - (KRT) - The senior spokesman for Sen. Rick Santorum, R- Pa., Friday confirmed to a web log that he is gay.
According to PageOneQ, an online gay and lesbian publication, director of communications Robert L. Traynham, said that he was an "out gay man who completely supports the senator."
Santorum, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate leadership has been an outspoken opponent of homosexual rights and a leading proponent of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Santorum, who was traveling in Pittsburgh, released the following statement:
"Robert Traynham ... is widely respected and admired on Capitol Hill, both among the press corps and among the congressional staff, as a communications professional. Not only is Mr. Traynham an exemplary staffer, but he is also a trusted friend confidente to me and my family. Mr. Traynham is a valued member of my staff and I regret that this effort on behalf of people who oppose me has made him a target of bigotry in their eyes.
"It is entirely unacceptable that my staffs' personal lives are considered fair game by partisans looking for arguments to bolster my opponent's campaign. Mr. Traynham continues to have my full support and confidence as well as my prayers as he navigates this rude and mean spirited invasion of his personal life."
Mark Rodgers, chief of staff at the Republican conference, which Santorum chairs, said, "Robert is a tremendous employee and we're all for standing by him." Traynham's homosexuality was not news to the senator or his staff, he added.
In the online interview, Traynham defended his decision to work with the senator. "Sen. Santorum is a man of principle, he is a man who sticks up for what he believes in. I strongly do support Sen. Santorum.
Asked whether he supported Santorum's views on lesbian and gay issues, Traynham told PageOneQ, "Sen. Santorum is a family man. I have been with him for eight years and I am very proud to be with him."
The two-term senator is up for reelection next year. His expected Democratic opponent is State Treasurer Robert P. Casey, Jr.
Traynham began working for Santorum since 1997 as a press assistant and then deputy press secretary. He was press secretary for the senator's 2000 reelection campaign in Pennsylvania. Just prior to becoming communications director in the Senate office, Traynham served as director of communications for the Senate Republican Conference.
Traynham holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, where he currently serves on the Council of Trustees.
In supporting the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would prohibit gay marriage, Santorum has equated homeland security with the sanctity of traditional marriage. He has referred to gay marriage as "messing with the basic family unit."
During an interview with The Associated Press two years ago about a challenge to the constitutionality of Texas's sodomy law, Santorum said that if the Supreme Court allows gay sex at home (which it ultimately did), "you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything."
On the marriage issue, Santorum also said: "In every society, the definition of marriage has not ever to my knowledge included homosexuality. That's not to pick on homosexuality. It's not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or whatever the case may be."
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© 2005, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Visit Philadelphia Online, the Inquirer's World Wide Web site, at http://www.philly.com
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
For what it's worth, I think for anyone to call you "ugly" is laughable. :-)
Jesus himself told Pilate that Judas was guilty of the "greater sin", which clearly argues against the idea that all sin is equally offensive to the Lord.
In the interest of preempting a debate with others about to whom Jesus was referring to in John19:11, it is more commonly believed that Jesus was talking about Caiaphas and not Judas. I'm not a Biblical scholar so I won't presume to know the answer. The underlying point regarding equality of sins in God's eyes obviously remains the same.
I disagree that they infest the entire party either, except for the so called Log Cabin Republicans, who make noise out of all proportion to their numbers.
One fact which has not been brought up it that homosexuality is not an unchangeable identity. So your statement that "They will always be among us, they always have been." is like saying that thieves have always been with us, or liars have always been with us. Sure, that's true, but there are plenty of former thieves and former liars.
Freedom of association is a basic right. I am not saying that Santorum was right or wrong to hire the guy; maybe he didn't know he was a homosexual when he hired him, maybe the guy is very good at what he does; who knows, maybe he would like to change! Maybe this, maybe that.
But homosexuality is not inborn, not hereditary, and not unchangeable.
I agree with that.
But it appears some on this thread wish there were NONE.
But homosexuality is not inborn, not hereditary, and not unchangeable.
Very reasonable statements with which I'm happy to agree.
Considering YOU were the one that raised the assertion we would react differently if it concerned an employee of Hillary's, and my example involves Hillary herself, It would be fair to state your lack of interest in testimony disputing your allegation proves where you are coming from.
I see nothing further need be said.
I find it interesting that the Left wants to persecute this aide for the very same reason he would be celebrated if only he worked for a Democrat.
The word "hypocrite" springs to mind.
Regards, Ivan
This little kerfluffle has added a new dimension to the idea of CYA.
Personally, I think that there's no reason to get too upset about having a homosexual working for him. As long as he didn't make it an issue, it's not really anyone's business who he's bed wrestling with. This whole homosexual thing is stupid anyway. It's like running around telling everyone you like Italian food. It's a preference, just like any other.
If you're a Christian, that's for you and God to iron out. If you're not, it's up to you to do what you think is right.
We've got thousands of illegals invading this country on a daily basis, a Court abridging our rights, a myriad of other problems, and everyone's wrapped up in who is humping whom. Silly.
Howlin, that was a very nasty thing to say. Why are you getting personally nasty? Why not keep the discussion rational? Why ratchet it up like this?
I frankly don't understand what's disgusting...and I think your attack on Sen. Santorum is inapproriate and out of line.
I just don't think it's important to scroll back and try to understand what you're attempting to say.
Have a good day.
Are you stating that if a person considers homosexuality immoral, unnatural and unhealthy he therefore HATES homosexuals? Is that really what you are saying?
Homosexual Agenda Ping.
I guess I better ping you all to this article and the heated discussion which is ensuing at this moment.
Freepmail me if you want on/off this pinglist.
Did you hear how Santorum recently added his vote to those of Hillary, Kennedy and Schumer re. border patrol agents?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1444153/posts
I'm not saying any such thing.
xzins is saying that anybody who isn't anti-gay is not a conservative.
That's hilarious considering the Freepmail I just got from you.
Try not to be so sanctiomonious, your hypocrisy might show.
STFU! Why are you injecting your personal venom?
I'm not getting personal; I'm merely stating a fact.
Most of the people on here have a gay in their family; it can happen to ANYBODY.
And judging from some of the coments, I'd feel sorry for some of those kids.
You know that old addage of "There but for the grace of God goes me."
I suggest you remember that before you pontificate to the rest of us.
I'm asking a simple question.
If you can't handle that, so be it.
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