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."
---
© 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.
If you "doubt Sen. Santorum's conservative credentials," then you know nothing about him whatsoever--which you should, since he's the third-ranker. And not to put too fine a point on it...but Santorum has never said he "supports" homosexuality. And he certainly didn't say it here. If you're saying a gay person should be fired from his job because his sexual preference is discovered (not that this is the case here, as everybody in these circles knew about it), then you may be on the wrong forum altogether.
I think Santorum has been quite clear on which side of laws like that he's been coming down on.
And you know that this guy doesn't? Leave him alone.
But, some people would say that opposing "civil rights" laws for homosexuals, or same-sex "marriage" is "government getting into the bedroom."
I would disagree.
"But I supposed for an atheist or a libertine or someone hip and with the times, this would really mean nothing."
Yeah, you really got Santorum down. A hip and with-the-times atheist libertine. That's why we voted him in twice in Pennsylvania. Lay off the saki.
Do the Senator and the aide gaze meaningfully into each others eyes? Do they watch Gladiator movies together? Do they share a passion for show tunes and Judy Garland?
"That said, Santorum should have known better than to hire the guy. It just causes trouble. This poor judgment doesn't speak well of his re-election chances."
Huh? HUH?!? Yeah, back when he first hired him, in '97 ("Traynham began working for Santorum since 1997 as a press assistant and then deputy press secretary"), he should have asked, Are you gay? Then refused to hire him. THAT would have really made him look great--THAT would have stuck with him forever. One of the dumbest things I ever heard hear (and after four years, that's saying something).
NOT hiring him because of it (if he even knew, or cared to know) would have been really poor judgment, because he would be rejecting a solid pro for reasons off the resume.
As for not speaking well for his re-election chances, Santorum actually is in trouble, for '06, but that's got nothing to do with this.
I don't want anyone to have sex in public. I don't agree with teaching about homosexual sex in school. I also feel that all sex ed is better taught at home. But many parents are too uptight to talk about any kind of sex with their kids. Except of course to use my mother's sex talk: "Don't."
Not all gay people act like that. Most are normal neighbors, co workers, friends and family members. Their sexuality is as open as yours or mine. Those that are flaming and out of bounds, need to go away.
Listen close: Santorum is NOT a "libertarian Republican." This is not open to debate, or an urgent problem that needs your input or analysis. This one's already been settled, okay? Now relax, and focus on the next really big issue you need to tackle.
Why? I'm happy voting Republican. Do you want me to vote otherwise?
"claining that a pervert is "a trusted friend confidente to me and my family." bothers me."
Claiming that you live in the real world--where everyone knows and/or is related to someone who's gay--and spitting out the word "pervert" like it's a racial epithet, bothers me.
We conservatives can well disapprove of this so-called lifestyle; we can condemn its sexual practices (count me in on both of those). But to attempt to diminish and dehumanize people with your ignorance only dehumanizes you. Further than is already the case, I mean.
"This is such vile garbage. Standing in defense of the union of one man and one woman is NOT standing against 'homosexual rights'.
I commend Santorum and denounce the BIGOTS on the Left that claim to not only practice tolerance, but fully accept the lifestyle in every capacity, then "out" people at will because they think people will draw back in horror for what they believe will result in political benefit."
Bravo, brilliant, bravo!
"I'm saying that to be someone's top aide they'd have to know your background, and that a traditional conservative would tend to choose a traditional conservative as a top aide....not a top aide that would cause media attention for a lifestyle that is totally the opposite of traditional conservative."
Okay, now you're backpedaling, because you didn't realize how much heat your crude remarks would pull. Stop it. We'd really like to respect you, but we can only do it if you do one of two things:
STAND by your original remarks, and even reinforce them with further ignorance, and tell us all you believe what you believe, and you're not backing down.
Or CAPITULATE completely, admitting you were a jerk, and thanking us for showing you the way out of the tangle of your tortured thinking.
Either way, you'll get more respect than you will by "parsing" what you "meant."
The typical gutless politician would have booted the guy.
I've had more than one homosexual in my employ but that never had any bearing on my views on special rights for gays.
Okay. I'm sorry. I can't help asking this. I tried to make it go away, but it just keeps coming back.
Why would someone so rabidly intolerant and condemnatory of homosexuals create a user name like...Delphinium?
I mean, it's a fabulous flower, who could EVER deny that?
But the question lingers like an unanswered suspicion.
I know that....DUH. I agree with the Republican Platform--I have respect for life. I am pro-life. I believe abortion is wrong, it is the taking of an innocent life.
The abortion issue is a wedge issue for dems, that's all. I believe the way to fight this issue is on a different front, and because I do, I am not a conservative?
Because I refuse to condemn gays and those that hire gays, I am not a conservative?
No wonder we are not seen as a big tent party.
And I am a "she" by the way
Not all gay people act like that. Most are normal neighbors, co workers, friends and family members. Their sexuality is as open as yours or mine. Those that are flaming and out of bounds, need to go away
Uh, but the flaming ones and ones out of bounds you wish to go "away", IMO, are the mainstream of homosexuals and their "lifestyle"(more like deathstyle) is considered the epitomie of homosexual "life".
If they weren't there would be no gay "pride" parades.
Have you ever seen a group called "gays against gay pride parades".
I'm assuming it's a she, but that may be sexist of me. I can barely grow them here. My cute and cuddly (die!) deer eat them all.
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