Top Santorum Aide Outed As Gay

San Luis Obispo Tribune ^ | 7/15/2005 | Steve Goldstein

[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.

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Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

[pa mom]

This guy's going a little far with the attacks. I agree with you all the way. (And was really grossed out recently by two heteros going at it in front of me--in the grocery store, no less. Though they do keep it really cold in there!)

I say you walk away. He doesn't seem really stable.

[Concerned]

MEGOODY WROTE TO BADRAY: "Indeed, so please tell me where the Senator ever said that homosexuals didn't have the right to have jobs. Remember, this individual was 'outed' against his will. He was keeping his sexuality secret (as it should be in the workplace). Someone else forced the information out into the open."

EXACTLY! What someone does in the BEDROOM has NO BUSINESS being discussed in the workplace!

[gogeo]

Defending a homosexual when you claim to be AGAINST their life style choice is disgusting when it BENEFITS you.

Wow...not only petty, but proud. Surely you have more sense than this?

[Badray]

To put my post into context for the both of you with the highlighted portion setting up what you addressed:

"Besides all the foolish PC rules that override common sense these day, hiring for positions in the areas of religion and politics should be free of 'don't ask, don't tell' type rules. You are propogating a set of beliefs, why shouldn't you be able to be sure that you hire someone who is aligned with you and reject those who aren't?"

What I am saying is that in certain situations, such as religious organizations, political hiring, and jobs in the area of national security, your private life is important. And trying to keep an immoral, illicit, or bizarre lifestyle secret may subject that person to undue outside pressure in order to keep that secret. It's called blackmail. And not all blackmailers want money. Influencing legislation would be a huge payoff, wouldn't it?

[MEGoody]

hiring for positions in the areas of religion and politics should be free of 'don't ask, don't tell' type rules

I can agree in areas of religion, but not about politics. Otherwise, the 'family values' guys are going to have to be policing their young, single staff members to be sure they aren't fornicating with other young, single members of the opposite sex. I mean, how far do we go in requiring our Senators to police the personal lives of their staffers?

Nah, as adamantly opposed to the homosexual agenda as I am, I do not think it fair to fire someone who was 'outed' through no fault of their own.

[rintense]

Door meet ass!

[gogeo]

Just curious, do you consider Cheney a 'traditional' conservative?

Pete Williams is now the legal correspondent for NBC News. Before that, he was the Pentagon spokesman when Cheney was SofD. Before that, he was Press Secretary for Rep. Cheney. Pete Williams is also gay. I think libs should get over their conservative-phobia.

[gogeo]

Think Christ would employ a non repentant homosexual as one of His disciples? I doubt it.

Christ didn't employ women as disciples either...and your point is?

[scripter]

My point is that even with all of God's love at his disposal, the creator of the universe still cannot pull everyone out of that lifestyle.

Perhaps He loves us so much he gave us the freedom to choose and sometimes we choose wrong.

[John Robertson]

"Good point, that! Insofar as he knew that being loyal to a colleague would no doubt start this very type of firestorm...Valorous behaviour like this is when one takes actions that one knows will be detrimental to their standing in the comunnity, but takes that action anyway... Santorum had to have been aware that some in our 'community' would react adversely, but he chose not to be dishonourable."

Thank you, very well said.

The dishonor--and illogic, and true hypocrisy--from our community has been right here on this thread.

One person in particular has been screaming HYPOCRITE! about Santorum because he has spoken out against gay marriage...BUT REFUSES TO FIRE THIS GAY GUY NOW!

Yeah, I don't get it either. I don't think I recall Santorum saying gay people shouldn't have jobs, should be marginalized, etc.

Another person got hysterical when I wouldn't buy into the "changed homosexual" "movement"--you know, the "scientific proof" that gays can change to straight, if they're really motivated?

It was an interesting thread, till this ignorant minority came around. Anyway, I'll be answering them soon...just when they think it's over. I can't say they'll look like idiots (I mean, that would be redundant), but they ain't gonna like it. Stay tuned.

And thanks again.

[pa mom]

OOOH,I backed out, idiots hurt my head. (I have three kids and three dogs and one husband, between the nine of us, someone is always being an idiot around here.)

[pa mom]

Wow, he has (had, one died) seven children. Good beard his wife makes!

[John Robertson]

Thank you, Vic. That explains everything. He IS the hypocrite nmh says he is: He's really gay.

Do you chug kool aid from your tinfoil hat, or just slug straight from the jug?

[John Robertson]

Hope you don't think I thought you were one of the idiots. As I recall, we were pretty much in agreement on most aspects of this. I may have even defended you. Perhaps we're both gay.

Did you see where this vic guy said Santorum was gay? Yeah, that's it!

[nobdysfool]

Ah, you missed the obvious flaw - Your glaring hypocrisy as well as flawed logic. There is nothing normal about being a homosexual. Nothing. What they want is precisely what you are giving them - acceptance and ignoring the fact that they are emotionally disturbed. It's been shown that they are physically/and or emotionally abused. So they do nearly anything to get acceptance and ideally elevated to positions of authority. They crave this. It's so sad ... they are so desperate for peace in their life. Yet they say in that lifestyle by CHOICE and they don't have peace. To help these people is to help them overcome it - not exploit them for self betterment as Santorum is doing in private and publically claim he is against it. If you don't stand for something, which describes Santorum, you'll fall for anything. He is not a principled man so I am not amazed that he privately endorses this man's lifestyle choice. Santorium lives in Virginia. He claims a residency in Pa. His kids live with him in Va.. The Pa school district PAYS for his kids to be taught in Va. via distance learning at TAXPAYER expense. He knows that's wrong and Pa. is NOT his primary residence but that doesn't bother him. He explains that away with "I'm a family man". Well so are others but they don't play residency games and have others foot the bill. This is typical of Santorum. He claims one thing and does the opposite in private. Some people do have contrary beliefs: "Your second fault is that you don't believe that people can hold contradictory beliefs. The fact is, most people do." Most don't and if they do it is called HYPOCRISY. It's not my fault that you and others have this dilemma. I believe you need to clean up your logic and be consistent. The truth is some don't show it but ALL want acceptance. They don't like "being in the closet". Others are more in your face about it. Don't fool yourself - this "top staffer" just had a burden removed from him. BY choice or not, it is a relief for him. Imagine trying to hide this and function like a normal person ... he's a VERY troubled gay person. Maybe it's a joke between him and Santorum ... but a gay male isn't against homosexual rights. They want them as next as the radical gay. Who knows! Maybe ole Santorum is a switch hitter - yeah Mr. Family Values _ LOL!!! If you want to join his hypocrisy bandwagon - go ahead!

LOL! Having a bad day?? Who pee'd in your cheerios???

[pa mom]

No, we basically agreed. Avoid the parades, the silly costumes and the public groping, don't tell us, mind your own business and we'll mind ours.

And Rick Santorum gay? Then maybe I am. I did live with a woman once. . . We didn't have sex, but you never know.

[John Robertson]

Yeah.

Did you see where nmh is suggesting Santorum is a "switch hitter"?