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Top McCain Aide Comes Out for Gay Marriage

Support consistent with conservative values, Schmidt argues

By Gabriel Winant,  Newser User

Posted Apr 17, 2009 10:45 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Backing what he calls "a sound conservative argument," a top McCain campaign operative is explaining his newly public personal support for gay marriage, CNN reports. Steve Schmidt will address the Log Cabin Republicans today and urge them to reverse their position. “No other exercise of one's liberty comes with greater responsibilities than marriage,” an advance text says.

“It cannot be argued that marriage between people of the same sex is un American or threatens the rights of others,” contends Schmidt, whose sister is gay. He also makes a political argument for abandoning the stance of his 2008 candidate, who lost voters under 30 by a wide margin. "We need to grow our coalition, but that's hard to do if we lose some votes while gaining others," he says.

Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, talks with senior adviser Steve Schmidt, left, as his plane taxis for takeoff from Toledo, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, talks with senior adviser Steve Schmidt, left, as his plane taxis for takeoff from Toledo, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, sits in her vehicle with Steve Schmidt, chief strategist for the McCain campaign, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008.
Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, sits in her vehicle with Steve Schmidt, chief strategist for the McCain campaign, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
With a cutout of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. at left, McCain adviser Steve Schmidt speaks to reporters on board the campaign charter airplane, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008.
With a cutout of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. at left, McCain adviser Steve Schmidt speaks to reporters on board the campaign charter airplane, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Some Republicans believe the period of self-examination within the party necessitated by the loss of our majority status is mostly a question of whether the party should become more moderate or conservative. I think that's a false choice. - Steve Schmidt

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
kirei_gaisuto
Apr 17, 2009 11:55 AM CDT
It always makes me happy to see conservatives in the public eye use their brains and make a decision that isn't based on rhetoric. So many of them act like idiots for the media attention, making all the normal conservatives look bad.
Observer
Apr 17, 2009 4:39 AM CDT
McCain was pathetic. It wasn't just the under 30 voters who rejected him. The Republicans have lost all credibility. Period.
wwwonderer
Apr 17, 2009 4:27 AM CDT
It always amazed how people like Schmidt and Andrew Sullivan could embrace a party that, while they share similar views, isn't accepted, much less tolerated by gays.

Schmidt breaks the news of his support for same-sex marriage
Washington Blade

 
John McCain • gay rights • gay marriage • GOP • Log Cabin Republicans • Steve Schmidt • Republicans

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