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Bush Aide Karl Rove Gets Briefings on ‘Gay’ GOP Effort
Culture and Family Institute ^ | February 7, 2002 | Peter LaBarbera

Posted on 02/07/2002 5:22:23 PM PST by Double Eagle Sword of Justice

Charles Francis, a homosexual activist and friend of President George W. Bush, regularly briefs Bush senior advisor Karl Rove on his group’s effort to end the GOP’s opposition to homosexuality, according to a National Journal report.

Francis heads the Republican Unity Coalition (RUC), a year-old organization that seeks to make homosexuality a “non-issue” in the Republican Party. The RUC has the backing of several prominent Republicans and Bush backers — including senior White House aide Mary Matalin, who is pictured prominently on the group’s Web site attending a 2000 fund-raiser for the Coalition. Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson (Wyoming) has taken a public role as the RUC’s honorary chairman, chastising Republicans who oppose homosexual behavior.

The January 12 Journal article by Shawn Zeller reports that Francis — a longtime Texas friend of Bush — and the RUC have adopted a “less confrontational” approach than the Log Cabin Republicans, another homosexual activist group, by not taking formal positions on pro-homosexual legislation such as the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

“All [Francis] seeks to change, he says, is the GOP’s tone. His method is simple and overtly political — raise enough funds for the party, and the party will bow to your wishes,” the Journal reports.

It continues: “Francis has received tacit approval for his effort from the White House, and he keeps Bush senior adviser Karl Rove briefed on his group’s plans.”

The six-page Journal article — essentially inside baseball on left-right schisms in the “gay” activist movement — reveals the political tightrope that Rove is walking as he simultaneously seeks to accommodate “gay” advocates like Francis and pro-family grassroots conservatives who object to homosexual activism.

Rove is on record welcoming “gay” support for the Republican Party, but also acknowledges that evangelical Christians and pro-family voters vastly outnumber homosexual voters within the party. Last month at the American Enterprise Institute, Rove warned that only 15 million evangelical Christians voted in the 2000 election, or 4 million fewer than should have turned out. He indicated that this was a result of not adequately exciting the GOP’s religious conservative base.

Rove meets and talks regularly with pro-family and conservative leaders, some of whom have voiced concerns about “gay”-affirming moves by the Bush administration, C&F Report has learned.

BAUER NOTES THREAT OF ‘UNITY’ COALITION
Meanwhile, former GOP presidential candidate Gary Bauer is warning pro-family Americans about the Republican Unity Coalition’s latest gambit to influence elections this fall. In his “End of Day” e-mail message sent out Wednesday, Bauer, chairman of the Campaign for Working Families, a political action committee, said the RUC “is trying to find 1,000 homosexual Republicans who will donate $5,000 each to a political action committee [RUC PAC]. That $5 million will then be used to help elect so-called ‘tolerant’ Republicans and to defeat pro-family, pro-life conservatives. I believe they have a good chance of meeting their goal.”

Noting that “money talks,” Bauer writes, “If our opponents raise $5 million — or even $2 to $3 million — in the next few months, they will have an unbelievable impact on the balance of power within the Republican Party. Pro-family candidates will be intimidated.”

Noting that the leading homosexual lobby group, Human Rights Campaign, has raised upwards of $18 million in contributions for Democrat candidates, RUC’s web site states:

The RUC is dedicated to building a Political Action Committee that begins to approach the political maturity of what gay Democrats have accomplished in past years. The goal is to raise $1 million for RUC PAC by September 2002. We will raise this from individuals in contributions of $500 or more. [emphasis theirs]

Bauer said if the RUC succeeds in making the GOP go neutral or worse, “gay friendly,” it “would be a political disaster,” and pledged a counter effort by his PAC to elect pro-family and pro-life candidates in the Republican Party.

RIORDAN TESTS ‘GAY’ WATERS
On the opposite side of the GOP spectrum, Richard Riordan is burnishing his pro-homosexual credentials as the leading contender for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in California. Riordan, former mayor of Los Angeles, said through a spokesman that he was “open to discussion” of a Vermont-type homosexual “civil unions” bill that was recently stalled due to a concerted pro-family campaign against it.

The homosexual press reports that Riordan met last month with the California group Access Now for Gay and Lesbian Equality. His spokesman, Matt Szabo, characterized an exchange between Riordan and the group as follows:

The question was, would you support [homosexual] civil unions … and his answer was that he would be open to a discussion but he wasn’t familiar with all of the legal aspects.

Riordan has worked closely with Republican homosexual activists and opposed Proposition 22, the statewide initiative that defined marriage as between a man and woman in California. Prop 22 was approved in March 2000 with the support of over 61 percent of the state’s voters.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: braad; homosexualagenda; sasu
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To: RightOnline
I'm an AF Academy grad, former SAC aircraft commander in the Cold War days, evangelical Christian, dad of seven.........married to the same woman for just a hair under 24 years. I'm as Conservative as they come.

You disagree with Gen. Colin Powell who insists that allowing open homosexuals in the military would irreparably harm it?

41 posted on 02/07/2002 6:43:12 PM PST by Double Eagle Sword of Justice
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To: RightOnline
Just noticed that you tried to bait me on yet another reply. Don't even think about it, rookie. You're out of your league.

I have no idea what you are referring to. Why do people always assume these cynical and mean-spirited motives? I am just engaged in a discussion trying to get at the truth. I don't know you at all and could have no criticism of you anyways. There is nothing gained by the route many take of personal assaults. I don't know why you call it 'straw man'. I was just asking about when you referred to homosexuality as an 'abomination' but called for embracing those people who practice it. Are there any other examples of a community that celebrates and has pride in what you would call an 'abomination' and we should specifically welcome them into the Republican Party? That question is at the crux of the issue because it deals with personal character and integrity.

42 posted on 02/07/2002 6:48:39 PM PST by Double Eagle Sword of Justice
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To: RightOnline
I attended public school..............in the dark ages (I'm in my mid-40's).

Well I attended public school a little earlier than that, and they actually taught something then, but that, as you certainly know, has all changed. Well, not exactly, since they do teach, or probably more accurately, propagandize or promote, a social agenda that includes multi-culturalism (whatever anyone does that is different is OK, unless it is different because a person is more intelligent, has more character, or is more ambitious) and the normalization of homosexuality, including encouraging the students to "experiment" with it.

Do you think the US Federal government, any state government, or any municipal government should support these new "educational" agendas?

Hank

43 posted on 02/07/2002 6:51:59 PM PST by Hank Kerchief
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To: Double Eagle Sword of Justice
I don't approve of divorce in the slightest. I find it an aberration and an abomination before God.

Who said that?

The vast majority of Republicans wouldn't call divorce an 'abomination' as RightOnline called homosexuality an 'abomination'.

God calls divorcees adulterers and calls adultery an abomination. You're right, most Republicans do not feel that way.

Divorce is considered normal, if regrettable, by most people in this country. Would you deny party membership to a divorced person? No, of course not. When it comes to party politics, a person's political inclination is more important than their sexual inclination.

44 posted on 02/07/2002 6:55:21 PM PST by Looking for Diogenes
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To: RightOnline
If I have angered you, I apologize. There was no intent to offend. I just disagree with those who seek to normalize homosexuality by dismissing it as just another harmless lifestyle choice. I think that sets up a bad example for our kids and needs to be opposed. But IN NO WAY do I hate homosexuals. I have worked with my fair share because of my line of work (restaurant business) and have had no problems. It's just when people call their lifestyle an abomination but harmless at the same time that it raises questions for me. God bless you and yours. We will just have to agree to disagree. No offense taken on my part.
45 posted on 02/07/2002 6:57:54 PM PST by Double Eagle Sword of Justice
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To: Double Eagle Sword of Justice
Blinding Flash of the obvious: Here's where the Dems get their money: Noting that the leading homosexual lobby group, Human Rights Campaign, has raised upwards of $18 million in contributions for Democrat candidates, RUC’s web site states: Add to that Emily's List (liberal, feminazis) Unions (mostly Govt ones)-ie people without a clue of what makes capitalism run Hollywood (includes media) - see above Trial Lawyers- need I say more. Ever wonder how the Dems keep coming up with these idiotic positions that are antithetical to American Values? They are getting paid to do it.
46 posted on 02/07/2002 6:59:24 PM PST by Ricktex43
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To: sinkspur
They're not corrupting mine.

So glad to hear you don't allow your children to watch TV, and home school them.

Hank

47 posted on 02/07/2002 7:02:48 PM PST by Hank Kerchief
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To: Double Eagle Sword of Justice
 those in support of normalizing homosexuality must resort to
shouting down their detractors...

...how do you shout down someone
   over the Internet?  I don't even
   see anyone talking to you in allcaps.

....and banning any further discussion.

...That would be up to the forum owner,
   and you're still here, aren't you?

48 posted on 02/07/2002 7:03:17 PM PST by gcruse
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To: Looking for Diogenes
RightOnline said this: "I don't approve of divorce in the slightest. I find it an aberration and an abomination before God."

Then I asked for a similar abomination and you said 'divorce'. But I don't think most people hold that view. Most view their own divorce as a tragedy or something bad. Not something to have a pride parade about. Plus I have never heard of anyone say that having divorces is normal, healthy, and a gift from God. If you don't think of homosexuality as an 'abomination' like RightOnline, then it would be hard to answer the question. He/she made the comment and so that was why I was asking about other similar 'abominations', or communities of people who celebrated something like that with pride and viewed it as healthy and normal and a blessing. So far no one has been able to come up with an example.

49 posted on 02/07/2002 7:03:36 PM PST by Double Eagle Sword of Justice
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To: Double Eagle Sword of Justice
Gays comprise 1-3% of the populace. It is reasonable to assume that less than half of this bloc vote Republican. There is no reason to offer homosexuals the olive branch of "normalcy" in the GOP if, in doing so, cultural conservatives bolt. And it is likely they will.

The 1-3% numbers will not grow or change. I'd say PC pandering was going on here, but to what end?

50 posted on 02/07/2002 7:08:16 PM PST by Old Fud
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To: sinkspur
You might check out what your kids (if you have them) are being taught in the public school system.

I've read many intolerant posts by someone with your same name bashing pro-family posters.

There are countless examples of the government "tolerating" behavior it doesn't condone. There are countless other examples of the government not tolerating behavior that is deemed unhealthy, whether for the individual or society at large. I am not advocating laws for everything under the sun, but I do think the government is not wrong to support and encourage heterosexual marriage and NOT homosexual marriage. Look to San Francisco as an example. They have huge problems with STD's and AIDS. The government should not encourage behavior that is unhealthy.

Gay marriage will lead to gay adoption. Where are the studies proving this is good for kids? We should not perform social experiements on children. I am in favor of gays raising all children that have been produced from a gay union. The fact is, whether you blame God or natural selection, gays unions do not produce the future generations, they have nothing to do with the survival of our species and are therefore less important even if you discount the health danger they expose us to.

Name calling has no place in polite society. We are free to make bad choices (most) in this country. But, we don't have to put our heads in the sand and pretend that all behavior is equal because it isn't.

When you have two men acting like two women but relating to each other like members of the opposite sex, don't you think it is logical to ask "is there perhaps a problem with this behavior?"

51 posted on 02/07/2002 7:10:54 PM PST by RAT Patrol
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To: Looking for Diogenes
Would you deny party membership to a divorced person?

Of course not! I never said anything of the sort for either homosexuals or divorced people. Why are you making that stuff up? RightOnline said we should welcome people who celebrate and 'abomination' as comrades-in-arms. There is no analogy with divorced people unless you can cite an example of a community of divorced people who cherish and celibrate it as a lifestyle they see as a gift from God. I would deny no one party membership. I was just questioning whether we should pander to them or condone the behavior they celebrate.

52 posted on 02/07/2002 7:11:30 PM PST by Double Eagle Sword of Justice
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To: RAT Patrol
I am with you.
53 posted on 02/07/2002 7:11:41 PM PST by Pushi
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To: RightOnline
RightOnline, mostly I agree with you. I am not in favor of the harshness I've seen others spew out on threads. However, I differ with you on one point. I have come to believe that ultimately, it is about the gay agenda. We cannot use these people for our own gain and then ignore their demands. I think it is kinder to let them know upfront. I will be their friend. I don't have a problem with that. I will fight with them for a common cause. I have no problem with that. But let them know up front that I will never ever support their agenda. Period. (We are not really that far apart, but I believe they need to know they have no chance right from the beginning. If they respect me by not pushing their lifestyle on me and mine, I will return the favor.)
54 posted on 02/07/2002 7:17:03 PM PST by RAT Patrol
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To: Pushi
Thanks Pushi. I was feeling alone. I do not hate these people. I have a niece who is totally messed up and she is also a lesbian. I know more than people think about this subject. They deserve our love and compassion. Even my lesbian niece says every lesbian she knows was abused by a man. It's sad and who can blame them in many ways. They don't need our scorn. But, they don't need our praise either. They just need our friendship and our patience. But we do not need to perpetuate the situation by encouraging children to give it a try. That's just wrong.
55 posted on 02/07/2002 7:21:45 PM PST by RAT Patrol
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To: RAT Patrol
You stated my sentiments exactly in terms better than I could have put together. It's about being up front and honest like you say. Thanks for expressing perfectly the feelings many of us have.
56 posted on 02/07/2002 7:22:39 PM PST by Double Eagle Sword of Justice
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To: Double Eagle Sword of Justice
Most view their own divorce as a tragedy or something bad. Not something to have a pride parade about. Plus I have never heard of anyone say that having divorces is normal, healthy, and a gift from God.

So your problem is with parades? If divorced people had pride parades you would shun them, and if gay people didn't have parades you would welcome them?

57 posted on 02/07/2002 7:22:58 PM PST by Looking for Diogenes
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To: RAT Patrol
 We cannot use these people for our own
gain and then ignore their demands.

It's a good thing you don't
run the RNC, because that's
exactly what 'we' do to
libertarians in the form
of the Liberty Caucus.

58 posted on 02/07/2002 7:25:53 PM PST by gcruse
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To: Double Eagle Sword of Justice
I dont think the GOP should be pandering to 2% of the population.
59 posted on 02/07/2002 7:26:05 PM PST by cutlass
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To: RAT Patrol
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I don't like to talk about my personal family business, but my wife and I have had a similar tragedy in our extended family. A cousin we have always cherished has contracted AIDS and is not doing well healthwise. After a long talk with him (he's only 27), he admitted that he had been molested as a child and that may have contributed to him going into the lifestyle. He says that most of his other male gay friends were also molested and the common pain they have. Now that his health is getting worse he desperately wants to get away from that lifestyle and heal. It is very sad whenever we visit him but there is always hope.
60 posted on 02/07/2002 7:28:50 PM PST by Double Eagle Sword of Justice
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