Posted on 12/13/2006 5:48:31 AM PST by areafiftyone
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA — Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, among the most conservative of the potential Republican presidential candidates, said Tuesday there’s room in the GOP for candidates who favor gay rights, but he warned that such politicians wouldn’t be welcomed by the party’s conservative base.
“It’s a big-tent party and has been for a long period of time, particularly since Ronald Reagan talked about this being a party of different viewpoints,” said Brownback. “If somebody agrees with you 80 percent of the time, he’s not your enemy.”
Brownback, in the midst of another visit to Iowa, was asked about criticism that Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was getting from conservatives over his writings years ago that suggested he backed gay rights.
While there’s room in the party for such candidates, they will face a tough sell with conservatives focused on social and religious issues, said Brownback, who hopes to base his bid for the GOP nomination on such voters.
Asked if favoring gay rights would doom a candidate in the GOP primary season, Brownback said: “I don’t know about that. I mean, where are you on taxes? The base of the party is issue-oriented and issue-driven, so those are significant things.”
Brownback said it’s far too early to dismiss candidates because of their views on volatile issues such as gay rights.
“We are way, way early in this process, so I wouldn’t rule anybody out or in at this point in time,” said Brownback.
Brownback has made several visits to Iowa, where precinct caucuses launch the presidential nominating process. On Tuesday, he held private meetings with key activists before attending a Christmas party with local Republicans.
Brownback last week announced he was forming an exploratory committee allowing him to travel and raise money as he explores the potential of seeking the GOP nomination. The day after he announced the formation of that committee, he met with Republican activists in eastern Iowa and vowed to campaign heavily in the state.
By all means lets get the degeneracy votes.
By that I mean to court someone on the basis of their sexuality, deviant or not is just...absurd.
Why would you court a constituency that is overwhelmingly liberal and that would constitute at best a minute number of votes at the risk of alienating the base? Guess that's why I'm not working at a political think tank, I don't have my head right. But hey, that's just me.
So Brownback is looking for the Brokeback voters?
Gay Rights BACKERS?
Another so-called conservative swinging to the left, last week he was speaking against the war and meeting with Obama on "bi-partisan" BS and this week gay rights.
I'm guessing he's going by what happened in the 2006 elections. Most Independents and Moderates voted Democrat this time around and he's probably figuring that they will again if the Republicans are not careful. The Republicans and the Democrats cannot win without the Moderate votes. That is who they will be fighting to win in 2008.
A man with "brown" in his name should not be speaking about gay sex.
"Most Independents and Moderates voted Democrat this time around.."
Because the Dems ran to the right of morons like Brownback.
Hey FReeps, instead of blaming some conservative voters for the loss last month, blame Republican politicians like this guy. They are the REAL culprits.
Bye, Bye, Brokeback, Brownback.
If he does, he just lost my vote.
Does anyone know much about WI Congressman Paul Ryan?
Bill BEnnett was talking him up yesterday as someone who would be absolutely GREAT for the Republican Ticket. He sounded good, really good.
However, Brownback came across as a total complete dork. He is not ready for prime time beyond Kansas..and his candidacy will mirror that of the ever-charismatic Gary Bauer.
there’s room in the GOP for candidates who favor gay rights
That is a very true statement, because I will be leaving.........
Nah, he was just trying to say something nice about his primary opponents who have the brokeback vote locked up. That's Senator Sam's problem, he's too damn nice. Kind of like Santorum on decaf.
Everyday the GOP becomes less conservative. I think the Constitution Party is where Conservatives belong.
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.