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.
"Hate the sin, love the sinner."
Ah, but you've changed that. For YOU it's now
Love the sinner and LOVE the sin.
THAT is what you meant to say because that is what YOU are doing.
This has nothing to do with offending my friends, please. I am not 14.Contrast with:
Most of my friends are Republicans. You will not find a one that wants abortion illegal and are very turned off by rapid [sic] pro-life rhetoric.Mmm-hmm. Wouldn't want to offend them now, would we?
No reply needed.
1. Who cares is an aide is gay? 2. The left simply can not grasp the idea of a homosexual who is a Republican.
You do know that GWB has gays in his adminstration, right? WHo gives a crap if someone is gay. If they are the right person for the job, so be it. Sheesh. If Rove was gay, would you stil want him as the lead strategist in the WH?
If you are tired of people like me, why respond?
I don't know what is going on in your life. I'm truly sorry if you have things on your mind. But to allow a total stranger, who has never said one rude word to you, make you so angy is sad.
Would you rather everyone on this forum agree totally? Aren't we here for multiple opinions? Isn't it for debate?
I apologize if in some way you feel I was personally attacking you. I strive not to do that.
You still didn't answer my question.
Should he fire staffers who are having pre-marital sex? Those who are divorced? And those who are spanking the monkey?
What makes you think that you can love someone out of homosexuality?
And if YOU can do it, why is God unable to do it?
The purpose behind that post was to point out that in this area, and other suburbs, abortion is not a big concern and in fact, people are turned off by "christian" (for lack of a better description) rhetoric. Do we want to alienate voters who could help keep Hillary out of office?
What in the world does that have to do with my friends? Do I make the policy? My friends know I am pro-life and would like to see Roe overturned. How am I seeking not to offend?
I did not make this personal and I appreciate you doing the same.
Me thinks they aren't so much activists as hypocrites.
He can and has. But the individual being 'loved out' has to be willing to get out. God doesn't force.
So you think that Mr. Family values man should only hire married men with a wife at home taking care of the kids? Should he fire someone who has an affair, or gets divorced, or whose wife has an affair, or whose kids don't turn out right, or. . .? Are you saying you endorse employers having control over their employees private lives?
God doesn't force.
And what makes you think Santorum is not doing the same thing?
God doesn't force.
... but Santorum should issue and ultimatum. That would make him more God-like. I see.
And for the third time, should Santorum fire those who are engaging in premarital sex? Divorcees? etc?
You may have meant to post that to someone else. I never said, nor even implied, that Santorum should issue an ultimatum.
Oops.
Last reply was meant for nmh.
Sorry, Goody.
No problemo.
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