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.

Visit Philadelphia Online, the Inquirer's World Wide Web site, at http://www.philly.com

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

[k2blader]

I'm just curious what Catholics think. I've always thought they were strongly anti-homosexuality.

You folks are both Catholics I rather deeply respect. What say you? I'm sure you can offer excellent insight here.

[Dane]

The liberal media shouting the hypocrisy line, while they are quiet about Ted Kennedy and Chappaquidick.

I would have a problem with Mr. Traynham if he was doing this,

[pa mom]

You're right, of course! It's just so ridiculous . . .

[Dane]

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

And how has Sen. Santorum changed his views?

[pa mom]

And a lot of other places, too. Big deal.

[xzins]

Since I do not believe a conservative can support homosexuality, this makes me doubt Sen. Santorum's conservative credentials. However, a libertarian Republican can support ignoring individual sexual choices. It helps me explain some of what I've seen in Santorum.

Questioning someone's conservatism does not mean I've suggested he fire his staff.

....Although it will cause him trouble with traditional conservatives. For example, has it ever made you wonder what gives with Dick Cheney that Mary Matalin is one of his top aides and she's married to Carville? What kind of opportunity for violation of confidential info is there in that arrangement? So, while I'd like to see Cheney run for president (I think he's the best guy for the job), the Matalin thing is a question in the back of my mind.)

Besides that....is there something wrong with being a libertarian Republican? Isn't that what the "liberty caucus forum" is all about on Free Republic?

[rightwingintelligentsia]

The problem is Liberals don't understand Conservatives or Christians for that matter. They brand us all as vicious "homophobes," and when one of us doesn't live up to their expectations, they label him a hypocrite.

[Echo Talon]

homosexuals are not gay.

Care to define it for me?

[EDINVA]

conversely no gay should support a conservative Republican? Is that your logic?

[pa mom]

This guy's actions are between him and God.

If he is a good advisor, a good political mind, I say hire him.

I'm sure you can find some gamblers, adulterers and drinkers on staff if you looked, too.

[xzins]

I meant those issue looked at by the Christian Coalition and by the ACLU.

[Echo Talon]

Since you bring up Dick Cheney should he stay away from his daughter too?

[gopgen]

Sam Brownback already has a policy against hiring gays on his personal staff. I don't know if any other senator does...

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

GAY-LOVING DEMS: "If you are a Republican, we will use your homosexuality against you! And "our gays" are to dumb to see any hypocrisy in it."

ETHNIC-LOVING DEMS: "If you are a Republican, we will use your skin color and national origin against you! And "our N-----s"* and "our W------s" are to dumb to see any hypocrisy in it."

* Robert Byrd's word for African-Americans

[Soul Seeker]

Define Traditional.

[pa mom]

Apparently some of us are vile homophobes . . . (Not directed at you certainly).

[Delphinium]

and a lot of other places, too. Big deal.Alot like Sodom, and Gomorrha

Jud 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

It was a BIG DEAL to God.

[LucyJo]

They're never ones to let the clarity of logic and common sense dispel the fog of "nuance". That's for sure.

[Delphinium]

I love Sam Brownback, and pray for others like him.

[Soul Seeker]

Despite a few on this thread trying to give a different impression, you are correct. The ratio of anyone that would hold this against Santorum or have anything but contempt for this outing of gays that happen to be Republican is repulsive to the vast majority of conservatives and Christians. The Dems should have learned that after the debacle with Mary Cheney, but the all "inclusive" Democrats continue their bigoted actions toward Republicans.