A gay man running as President for the GOP? Wow.

[TheBigotBasher]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/newstilt-production/images/:document/251/article/Adam_Bouska_Headshot_Best_1_.jpg

Ye who doubt that the 2012 presidential campaign has begun, consider this: Fred Karger campaigned in Iowa this week and spent several days in New Hampshire earlier this month.

Fred Who?

Ah, he’s anticipated that. Those are the very words on the logo atop his web site.

The answer to that “Fred Who?” question is “Fred Karger,” a 60-year-old Illinois-bred Californian who is the first person to be openly (if, for legal-financial reasons, not yet officially) campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination.

Also the first openly gay candidate to seek the presidential nomination of either major party, ever.

Waitaminit. Did that say “gay” and “Republican,” in concert as opposed to conflict? Was there a typo involved, or at least a confusion?

Nope. Fred Karger is really a gay advocate—indeed a gay rights troublemaker—who is also really a Republican. He was raised by Republican parents. He first got active on behalf of Illinois Republican Senator Charles Percy. He’s campaigned for Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. This guy’s got GOP cred.

These days he calls himself “an old Rockefeller Republican,” fiscally conservative but socially moderate.

http://www.newstilt.com/newsguy/news/the-gayest-republican

In Iowa already. I can see the Freepers loving this guy.

[Ian David]

1. I think he's pretending to be gay to win over liberals and centrists. n/t

[TheBigotBasher]

2. It beats pretending to be straight

and so full of "family values" that you take a rent boy on holiday with you.

I wonder what the beauty queen will say about this guy?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. I know it sounds as if this guy is essentially a Libertarian, but I will never, EVER

understand why anyone--gay or straight--but especially anyone from a marginalized (and vilified) group would ever vote Republican. I just can't wrap my head around that concept. There are fiscally conservative/moderate Democrats. There are socially moderate Democrats. Why vote Republican? Why even associate oneself with the Republican Party, especially if one is gay? Or black? Or Hispanic? Or a woman? Or a Jew? Or a Muslim? Asian?

Don't get it. Never will.

[ProSense]

6. Integrity is not their strong suit. Two words:

Michael Steele.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

9. True. I guess it's all about self interests. One can obtain power and notoriety if

one is from a marginalized group AND is conservative and/or Republican.

You tend to rise in the ranks faster. These people don't really care about principles or the party. They care about themselves.

Steele is a perfect example of that. Many of us here in Maryland have known for years what this guy is all about.

[TheBigotBasher]

11. The most disgusting thing about that man

is the way he plays up to racial stereotypes and for what gain?

It does not help him, it does not attract anyone to the Republicans and quite simply when he acts like he was from the 'hood he just looks like a complete and utter fool.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

17. ...........

:spray:

Good one. :thumbsup:

[Politicalboi]

7. I don't get it either

I lived with a transgender who was Republican. I just can't believe they would stand for a party that would rather see them dead.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. A gay couple, friends of my father, worships Sarah Palin who tells them that they are

going to burn in hell for their "sins". But they don't care. They love her.

Then, I realized that they come from great wealth and understood.

[stevenleser]

13. I've come to respect the Log Cabin folks and am at war with GOProud

LCR's, as I am fond of saying, started off as enabling abused spouses and then found their strength and refused to endorse 'W' for President in 2004 among other more courageous acts.

As a result of the LCRs starting to assert themselves, GOProud was started to be more of a GOP lapdog.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

14. Added to that, I'm very proud of people like Andy Sullivan and David Brock.

It doesn't get any better than that. Folks who speak truth to power. I can get behind Republicans--gay or straight--with the guts to do what's right rather than what's politicall expedient.

[stevenleser]

4. I'll be rooting for him to get the GOP nomination.

I think it will be interesting to see the reaction.

[Toucano]

5. Good for him.

The more Republicans have to deal with people like him and less with Huckabee, the better for everyone.

Still stupid to be Republican, though.

Brave and crazy.

[TheBigotBasher]

12. "Brave and crazy".

My view exactly. The GOP will go for him if they think he is any threat at all.

[Prism]

8. Rockefeller Republicans are practically liberals these days

Good for him.

[WeDidIt]

15. Man, that would be like David Dukes running for the Dem nod in 2012. n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

20. Actually, it would be more like David Duke running

..for President of the NAACP.

[MissDeeds]

16. That guy's 60??!!

Sorry. Just wanted to add some levity to the discussion, but still - 60?

[Number23]

18. Nice looking chap!

"Karger is the founder of Californians Against Hate, inspired by opposition to the anti-gay marriage movement behind the 2008 referendum overturning the California Supreme Court ruling that same-sex couples could marry. Under Karger’s leadership, Californians Against Hate organized boycotts against businesses owned by donors to the referendum campaign, and relentlessly attacks the National Organization for Marriage, claiming that it is essentially funded by the Mormon Church."

Glad to see he's walking the walk.

He sounds like a helluva candidate and a smart man. Hopefully he can give the Repub party a much needed shaking up and waking up.

[mitchum]

19. Despite all that, he IS still a republican

get a grip everyone