Did Romey Promise to Pass ENDA to Secure LCR Support?

Jim Burroway

October 23rd, 2012

Ben Adler at The Nation went digging:

I called LCR’s executive director, R. Clarke Cooper, to find out.

Romney’s greatest asset as a politician is his total lack of integrity, honesty or consistency. He is perfectly willing to go before the religious right one day and pledge fealty to them, and the Log Cabin Republicans the next day to do the same. And, apparently, that is what he has done, in private. Cooper asserted repeatedly that, “with a President Romney we’re confident we can work with him [on ENDA].” But when asked why, Cooper offered only reasons that Romney should work with them: that discrimination is a form of economic inefficiency and impediment to job growth. But you could make the same argument to any president. The question is what Romney has said that gives them such confidence. Cooper says, “Romney been clear in his opposition to workplace discrimination.” As I’ve written before, Romney has spoken of his personal preference not to practice discrimination, but he has not actually publicly called for outlawing workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Cooper said he would e-mail me Romney quotes I may have missed that do call for such legislation, but as of this writing he had not done so.

As I continued to press this point, Cooper blurted out, “Have you met with Romney’s domestic policy team?” And therein lies the answer to how Romney secured LCR’s endorsement. His advisers have privately assured LCR that Romney supports ENDA, even though he so fears the wrath of the religious right that he will not adopt this position in public.

JohnAGJ

October 23rd, 2012

It’ll never happen with the currently GOP-led House, let alone a possible Republican majority in the Senate. And let’s suppose that somehow ENDA did get a serious hearing, it wouldn’t include transgeders which would cause Gay, Inc. and many Dems to oppose it.

Ben In Oakland

October 23rd, 2012

Romney can make the promise, just like I can promise my nephew that if he’s good, Santa will leave him a new ipad. If the LCR’s fell for that, they’re even stupider than they are misguided.

Ben In Oakland

October 23rd, 2012

I’m sorry, i meant to say stupider than they are unprincipled.

Timothy Kincaid

October 23rd, 2012

This may or may not be the case. But it does sound consistent with the way that Log Cabin operates; I’ve not known them to give their endorsement in the past without getting some concession in exchange.

This does not, of course, make Romney the better candidate on our issues. And it does not mean that DOMA is not still a significant concern under a Romney administration. And, of course, it does not mean that Romney should win, will win, or would honor any commitment he made to LCR.

However, should Romney defeat the President and should he call for the passage of non-discrimination provisions, then I will – at that time – give Log Cabin credit for brokering something for our community in exchange for their endorsement. That is, after all, part of their role.

Neon Genesis

October 23rd, 2012

Romney has flip flopped on gay rights so many times that trusting any “promise” from him is like trusting an Internet chain mail that you’ll become a billionaire if you just give your credit card number to this Nigerian prince. LCR has lost any respect I had for them before by saying they view a lack of integrity as a great asset to be praised.

Sami

October 23rd, 2012

Is anyopne seriously gullible enough believe that Romney would support a real ENDA protecting every letter of LBGT? Are these the same people who think he didn’t really mean his hidden camera confession that he looks down on anyone not rich enough to pay income tax as a worthless parasite with no personal responsibility?

tristram

October 23rd, 2012

This sounds like the perfect ploy for Romney and the christianist House. He backs a watered down, non-exclusive version of ENDA which has no chance of passing because 95 percent of the House Republicans won’t vote for it. The GOP reps from moderate districts get to vote for it and burnish their reputations for being tolerant and ‘non-partisan,’ all the while knowing it will never become law. And the House Democrats and the “lgbt community” implode again.

Ryan

October 24th, 2012

Ridiculous. Why would Romney seek out or care about LCR’s endorsement?

Ben in Oakland

October 24th, 2012

Ryan, three possible answers.

Useful idiots.

Money.

A shred of a soul. Nah. Just kidding about the soul.

Ryan

October 24th, 2012

Ben, there are not enough “useful idiots” in the LCR. They’re politically irrelevant. Go outside of the gay blogs and start talking about the LCR and no one will even know what you’re talking about. And I say that as someone who has come around on them, somewhat. Especially in comparison to GOProud.
There’s simply no way Romney would ever risk alienating his base, even after the election. And of course, the GOP-run House would never EVER vote pro-gay rights on anything, ever.
And really, all this stems from Ben Adler’s insistence that “Have you met with Romney’s domestic policy team?” means “Romney has secretly promised to support ENDA”, which is the biggest leap of logic I’ve seen in a long while.

Patrick

October 24th, 2012

This assertion rests on the fantasy/delusion that the LCRs are powerful enough to wrest any kind of promise from anyone beyond their mothers. Not bloody likely. And even if they did get a promise, how are these fools going to hold him to it? They can’t. They’re politically powerless.

Hyhybt

October 24th, 2012

Being unwilling to let the public know you support a piece of legislation makes that “support” worthless when you’re the one who has to sign it into law.

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