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.
"I lost alot of friends that day, but I am not in a popularity contest."
You lost a lot of friends today, too, Delph.
As for not being in a popularity contest...no! Really? We couldn't tell.
What Santorum bashing thread would be complete without the infamous Badray and his lies and distortions designed to assassinate Santorum's character, one of the most reliable conservatives in Congress? Might as well go over to DU. You serve the same purpose toward promoting the conservative cause.
I don't see homosexuality as a political issue. It's a moral issue. It's a matter of sin, falling short of God's standards.
It's not any worse than any other sin in that regard.
Rick Santorum has been outspokenly against same-sex marriage, which is a political issue as well as a moral one. But we have no indication that this employee is a supporter of same-sex marriage.
You say homosexuality is not compatible with conservatism, but why is it any less compatible than any other habitual sin?
I am disturbed because it sounds like you'd be okay with him employing an adulterer, or a user of birth control (a habitual sin in Santorum's eyes), but not a homosexual? What's the difference?
Me: First off, you're no "pal" of mine.
"One of the things I'm proudest of on FR."
How sad. I never give you a second thought. You're irrelevant to me. I'm indifferent towards you except to state again, "you're no pal of mine". You aren't a conservative and we have nothing in common. NO big deal with me. Life goes on and I sleep well at night.
"And I still say you're a bigot and can't stand it because the rest of us aren't like you."
There you go again ... more name calling ... YAAWWWN.
I'm content that I'm not a partisan hypocrite. I have principles and values and I'm not ashamed to stand on them unlike you.
Very left-field, jayhorn.
I'm not the one throwing out incendiary words that can hurt our side. (And something else to bear in mind: Not to say that some Freepers are the same-level "public figures" that Santorum is, or even close...but there is a very good reason for user names versus real names here, and much wisdom in the About page being optional.)
Lying is a sin, you know.
"You give us Christians a bad name. Put another way: You're not being very Christian."
Please enlighten us why this is so, in your _humble_ opinion.
I'm not "your kind" of conservative, that's for sure.
And of that, I am proud.
"I think people are wrongfully calling Santorum a hypocrite."
Okay, then. I'm backing off. (Only on you, though.)
"Is raging lunacy supposed to convince me of anything?"
I was actually wondering about that with you and a few other leftists here?
It's sad to see folks defending leftists values and believing they are "conservatives". It's no wonder the Republican party has become the STUPID party. They stand for NOTHING and fall for EVERYTHING. The "big tent" thingie isn't working.
Right now he has to be a moderate to win PA (or so he thinks). He is probably right, not because a conservative CAN'T win in this state, but because his support for Spector over Toomey has lost him the support of many conservative Pennsylvanians and he knows it!
Right - you are just a hypocrite, period.
I don't recall endorsing adultery. Can you point out to me where I hinted at that?
More and more irrelevancies, changing the context of the discussion, etc. Typical liberal, left-wing tactics.
This discussion (if it can even be called that) is worthless because you are raging with anger and hatred, and dishonesty.
Maybe I misunderstood.
Would you say Rick Santorum is a hypocrite if one of his staff members has an adulterous affair?
Would you say he is a hypocrite if any of his staff members use birth control?
Is it impossible for you to tell the truth when you post?
I said I'm not YOUR KIND of conservative.
That's not what she said, and you know it.
That was the point. ;-)
Another classic thread. Have a good night, Howlin.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.