A wolf in GOP clothing

JOHN MCCAIN IS certainly not perfect on gay issues. Even though the senator has been ordained a “maverick,” which occasionally places him at odds with the religious right, gay voters should maintain a healthy skepticism concerning the Arizona senator.

McCain’s reputation as a maverick is well deserved when considering the response by conservatives to his status as the Republican presidential nominee. Ann Coulter lambasted McCain as a traitor to conservatives, so much so that she would campaign for Hillary Clinton if he were nominated. Rush Limbaugh has also weighed in on McCain by declaring that his nomination would destroy the Republican Party. And James Dobson, a prominent evangelical Christian leader, said he could not “in good conscience” vote for McCain. Collectively, these comments may provide a basis for the gay
community to take a second look at a possible McCain presidency.

McCain has also taken what has been characterized by some gays as a “courageous stand” on a very important gay-related issue: same-sex marriage. McCain opposed a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. As a result, evangelical Christians within the Republican Party have used this to attack McCain’s conservative credentials. McCain’s opposition, however, was not based on any sense of fundamental fairness, equality or individual rights, but primarily on his long support for state’s rights — a classic conservative stance. Such a position fails to provide any assurances or foundation for protecting LGBT rights.

<snip>

The presidential power of appointment under Article II would have greater ramifications for the LGBT community on both the state and federal level. Even if McCain is not actively hostile toward the LGBT community, his cabinet and judicial appointments could have a far greater impact than opposition to a ban on same-sex marriage.