The nation's largest gay lobby has just put a huge bull's-eye on GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum, warning that the conservative Catholic candidate would be the perfect and natural fit as Mitt Romney's vice presidential pick.
"Make no mistake: even if Rick Santorum loses the Republican nomination, he could very well become Mitt Romney's running mate," says Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese in a E-mail. "Why Santorum? Simple. He would motivate millions of right-wing voters and volunteers on Election Day."
The Human Rights Campaign endorsed Obama long ago, in May 2011. Ever since, it has been alarmed by what some of the GOP presidential candidates have said, none more than Santorum. The former Pennsylvania senator, a darling of Christian voters who has passionately vowed to fight same-sex marriage, has been under fire in moderate New Hampshire, site of today's first primary, for bluntly discussing the issue. Gay marriage is legal in New Hampshire.
A recent U.S. News story detailed one clash:
"Choruses of boos drowned out Santorum's voice at one stop in Concord late last week. When asked about his stance on gay marriage by a student Thursday, Santorum replied, 'Well, what about three men?...If reason says that if you think it's OK for two, then you have to differentiate with me as to why it's not OK for three.'"
[See pictures of Republican candidates campaigning in in New Hampshire.]
In his E-mail, Solmonese charged that Santorum has compared gay marriage to "man on dog" sex and polygamy. Read his E-mail below.
Dear friend,
Make no mistake: even if Rick Santorum loses the Republican nomination, he could very well become Mitt Romney's running mate.
This man has compared marriage equality to "man on dog" sex and polygamy. And he could be the next Vice President – representing America abroad and wielding political influence at the highest levels.
A Romney-Santorum White House could set back our progress for years – especially on the repeal of DOMA.
Voters are going to the polls in New Hampshire TODAY. This race is moving fast, and we need to move fast too.
Join HRC today to help expose right-wing candidates while voters are still making up their minds.
Why Santorum? Simple. He would motivate millions of right-wing voters and volunteers on Election Day.
But you can help make sure the public knows the truth about these reactionary candidates. You can fund field organizers in key states, support our work in the media, and help us rally more than one million HRC members and supporters to make sure our country moves forward, not backward.
Your support right now will also help us fight back as anti-marriage equality campaigns straight out of Karl Rove's playbook hit states across the country:
They're trying to amend the Minnesota constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
In North Carolina, they're attempting to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions – and strip domestic partnership benefits that are already recognized in counties and municipalities across the state.
They're mobilizing their supporters in a Prop. 8-style campaign to put an end to marriage equality in Iowa.
They're launching well-funded campaigns against our grassroots organizing in Maine, Washington, and Maryland.
In New Hampshire, they're poised to vote to repeal marriage equality – a move that the state's governor will hopefully veto.
They're counting on people like you to be so caught up in the presidential campaign that we don't notice their subtle, state-by-state campaign to do away with LGBT rights. Not. Going. To. Happen.
Everything is on the line in 2012, and we need everyone to go ALL IN to secure our victories. Join HRC NOW!
Every ballot initiative, every hateful remark, every bigoted candidate – you're there. Thank you for continuing to be a part of this movement.
Let's go,
Joe Solmonese
President
Reader Comments Read all comments (4)
Promixr of NY 6:39PM April 09, 2012
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MD_LA of CA 3:18PM January 11, 2012