A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
Ricochet's own Jennifer Rubin has been following the story of Richard Grenell on her Washington Post blog, Right Turn. Richard Grenell was recently hired by the Romney campaign to serve as a spokesman on foreign policy. As luck would have it for a former governor with little foreign policy experience, this former John Bolton advisor is a registered Republican and staunchly opposes the Obama administration's stance on key national security issues. There is only one problem: Mr. Grenell is gay.
Pieces in two conservative publications, the National Review and Daily Caller, reflected the uproar by some social conservatives over the appointment. [UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.: Although Grenell also raised the ire of liberal commentators with now-deleted tweets about certain prominent women, none of the sources I spoke with mentioned the tweets as a factor in his resignation decision.]
In the National Review, Matthew J. Franck wrote late last week: “Suppose Barack Obama comes out — as Grenell wishes he would — in favor of same-sex marriage in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. How fast and how publicly will Richard Grenell decamp from Romney to Obama?"
I believe we can have a rational debate over gay marriage within the conservative sphere without forcing out those who are gay from our movement. This is a shameful moment for us conservatives and I hope we are beginning the process of rejecting such intolerance. While I am saddened that Mr. Grenell decided to resign from the campaign for personal reasons, I am proud that Governor Romney demonstrated the fortitude to stand by his selection of an imminently qualified advisor like Mr. Grenell and did not take the easy way out by bowing to the less savory aspects of social conservatism.
I would like to know if I am alone with my indignation over the treatment of Mr. Grenell and the pressure for him to resign. In the alternative, I would be happy to hear the counterargument if a fellow Ricochetian feels an openly gay man should not be advising on Republican campaign. How should we proceed as a movement? And, a slightly different question, how do you think we will actually proceed as a movement?
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Dec '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
Kennedy Smith: Social conservatives are a continuing embarrassment to the party, making us look more like the anti-dancing guy fromFootloose than anything human. Tis is nothing new. As you'll recall, GOProud, a group which doesn't even espouse "gay issues" was discontinued as a sponsor of CPAC by these same groups. For all the tortuous, convoluted pretzel arguments used to justify their bigotry (and there are some doozies on this thread), at bottom they simply don't want to be around gays for fear of cooties, or enjoy the idea of designating some other collection of life-forms as even more distasteful than themselves.
The alarming part of this story is Romney's caving to these toothless groups almost instantly. I can't imagine why we ever listen to what they say. They should be grateful for anything we give them short of a wedgie, and historically have been. · 1 minute ago
Because they get more votes the fiscal conservatives do..... Always have. There would be no republicans in office without them.
Discomfort with gay marriage is more bipartisan than small government is.
Edited on May 2, 2012 at 1:45pmMar '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
Casey Taylor
Palaeologus
Speaking of unacceptable, Jen Rubin is smart, funny, and a tad obnoxious: I like her. But she hasn't a clue what sells outside Washington, and her attacks on so-cons are amazingly similar to those she makes on Paulistas. · 34 minutes ago
It's the voice. I try hard to listen to Left Coast/Right Coast because I like Mickey Kaus so much, but I just can't get past her manner of speaking. Yes, I prefer Kaus' voice to Rubin's. She grates on me that much. · 10 hours ago
I just wish she'd stop eating during recording. Sometimes it sounds like she's noshing on peanut butter and crackers.
Aug '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
I read some of Francks and Kevin Williamson's back and forths on The Corner.I don't see purges. It seemed to me The Corner's purposes was to inform and to expose an idea to criticism. I agree with Mr Williamson, but I've always enjoyed both posters.
I was surprised to hear Grenell resigned. The "purge" narrative stretches the issue way too far, at least right now. Maybe there will be emails revealing that everyone in Romney's campaign was quaking in their boots because of Franck's Corner posts; but I' m not going to hold my breath for those emails.
I'm a bit nervous about this now-- whenever someone leaves due to an interparty spat, are we are going to blame the other side for "purging?" We'll just have "shame on everyone" posts. Let's just shame ourselves now.
Can I be so self-aggrandizing as to claim I'm with Ace (of Spades)? I didn't know there was an uproar. So I'm surprised that we've gone from "silent uproar" to "shame on all you people for reading that Corner post!"
Mar '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
This gay staffer stuff is ludicrous. From my experience in politics, I've found that the only difference between the parties is that Democratic pols are staffed by un-closeted homosexuals and that Republican pols are staffed by closeted. If the social conservatives don't want Romney to have a gay advisor, we might as well just close up shop and not run anyone, because we won't be able to staff any blasted campaign.
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
I was wondering about the number of voters who would not vote for Romney if Grenell stayed. Anyone have an idea?
Now that he left, I'm also wondering about this:
Is the number of people who would not vote for Romney if Grenell stayed greater or lesser than the number of independents who will not vote for Romney if the narrative is that Grenell was forced out for being gay?
I doubt any of us can offer exact numbers, but I'm curious about everyone's best estimations.
Aug '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
I won't offer any numbers as I have no real basis for any number I chose. But the narrative will hurt Romney when we look at all the ways this situation can play out. But I happen to believe the narrative is false.
Also, the belief that Grenell was forced out over being for gay marriage seems predicated on the belief that he had no negatives. I'm not saying being gay is a negative. (So no one claim anything I'm saying that!) I'm suggesting the idea seems to be that there are no tweets, no radio/television interviews, no foreign policy views in his history that anyone else in the Romney campaign or on the right thinks would hurt Romney. Everyone loved Mr. Grenell and the only people who didn't were fixated on Mr. Grenell's support for gay marriage (and of course these people are completely irrational, right?) When people suddenly resign, its usually not because of posts from someone on the Corner.
Dec '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
Goldgeller:
I won't offer any numbers as I have no real basis for any number I chose. But the narrative will hurt Romney when we look at all the ways this situation can play out. But I happen to believe the narrative is false.
Also, the belief that Grenell was forced out over being for gay marriage seems predicated on the belief that he had no negatives. I'm not saying being gay is a negative. (So no one claim anything I'm saying that!) I'm suggesting the idea seems to be that there are no tweets, no radio/television interviews, no foreign policy views in his history that anyone else in the Romney campaign or on the right thinks would hurt Romney. Everyone loved Mr. Grenell and the only people who didn't were fixated on Mr. Grenell's support for gay marriage (and of course these people are completely irrational, right?)
He is famous for his abusive twitter feed.
May '10
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
It wasn't just a Corner post, though as John Podhoretz notes, that was appalling in itself. It was Gary Bauer, Focus on the Family, the usual.
Dec '10
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
I don't necessarily consider myself a social conservative--even though I agree with them on most points--but many other people on this site do.
When you're done climbing Mt. Pious, perhaps you could tone it down slightly. The next time you want to start hitting everyone with your Big Ol' Biggotry Bat, you should take a second to calm down; you're starting to sound like the liberals.
Nov '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
James Of England
Mothership_Greg
I'm not gonna defend Franck's argument, because I don't see any evidence that Grenell would suddenly switch parties over gay marriage. I'm specifically taking issue with the phrase "anti-gay" being applied to Franck - because he makes a bad argument, he's anti-gay?....
Suggesting that Grenell was a bad hire because he's gay? Even if it was a good argument, that would be anti-gay.
Where did Franck say this?
Indeed, as I previously quoted:
Unless we're playing Leftist "dog-whistle" games, or you can provide some evidence that Franck is some kind of homophobe, then this is false. You're some kind of lawyer, right? Let's have some evidence.
Edited on May 2, 2012 at 3:10pmRe: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
I would be upset if Grenell were hounded out simply because of his sexual orientation. I'm not entirely sure that he was a) hounded out or b) because of his sexual orientation.
You might read Byron York's piece skeptical of the Rubin take here:
His catty tweets and demeanor with others were also issues, of course.
Edited on May 2, 2012 at 3:13pmNov '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
Speaking as a social conservative, I responded to this "affair" by saying Romney hired who now? I consider myself fairly plugged in to the conservative commentariat and I read NRO and I'd still never heard of this guy.
Speaking as a film buff, I'd say you either A) haven't seen Footloose or B) shouldn't be commenting on film. John Lithgow plays the only character besides Kevin Bacon's (and, perhaps, Bacon's mother) who acts based on principle and Lithgow's performance shows a man who honestly believes he's doing the right thing for the right reasons - and he's open to the idea that the banning of dancing isn't necessarily the right one either. Watch the book burning scene and you'll see his genuine dismay and disappointment that people could behave in such a manner. For my money Lithgow's character is one of the best portrayals of a Christian on screen.
Nov '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
According to Wikipedia,
Social conservatives are a group, which is not monolithic. In many ways, I consider myself a social conservative - yet I have no problem supporting civil unions between homosexuals. Indeed, I have a close relative who is homosexual, and I have zero problem with that.
Your insensitivity to my feelings has deeply hurt me, by insulting the group I am a member of. Perhaps I will quit my job.
May '10
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
Put me down with those who feel like the high dudgeon is uncalled for, almost to the point of calumny. Seems to me that we know far too little to jump to such sweeping conclusions about what went on here.
I travel in ardently religious "soc-con" circles and I've never encountered a single person who even leans in the direction of wanting to purge gays from the party.
Edited on May 2, 2012 at 3:29pmDec '10
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
Actually, Molly, I LOVE the point York says Grenell is making. To wit, "You [democratic party tool] are going to strut around making a gay rights fuss over pretty moderate republicans, and at the same time slobber over a President who is transparently duplicitous on the subject? A pox on you, you hackish weasel. You don't care about gay rights. You care about leftist ideology."
If we had more gay Republicans with access to the pages of The Blade willing to make that case, half of all gay people would be conservative, and the GOP might be able to win elections in places like California again.
So thanks for that link, Mollie. It makes me 100% sure I support Grenell in whatever future endeavors he decides to engage.
Oh, and when it comes to his "abusive" Twitter feed: When we tell liberals to get off the fainting couch and enjoy a joke, that works both ways.
Jun '10
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
C. U. Douglas: There's more than one narrative on this.
It's also been suggested that Grenell has been receiving quite a bit of personal vitriol from the left for other views he holds.
And I know this is a total logical fallacy, but I tend to take what Rubin says with a grain of salt. She's shown she has little respect for social conservatives, and I suspect she'd take the Progressive narrative and run with it because we social conservatives are dumb and stupid and should have just voted for Romney already. Excuse me for my pettiness there. · 11 hours ago
I'm thinking the same thing. It's most likely the flack that he's getting from gay liberals that made Grenell back out. It's one thing to be criticized by strangers, but when your friends start calling you a traitor, that hurts. According to the Romney people, he was supposed to start his job yesterday, and they strongly encouraged him to stay.
Dec '11
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
KarlUB: Actually, Molly, I LOVE the point York says Grenell is making. To wit, "You [democratic party tool] are going to strut around making a gay rights fuss over pretty moderate republicans, and at the same time slobber over a President who is transparently duplicitous on the subject? A pox on you, you hackish weasel. You don't care about gay rights. You care about leftist ideology."
If we had more gay Republicans with access to the pages of The Blade willing to make that case, half of all gay people would be conservative, and the GOP might be able to win elections in places like California again.
So thanks for that link, Mollie. It makes me 100% sure I support Grenell in whatever future endeavors he decides to engage.
Oh, and when it comes to his "abusive" Twitter feed: When we tell liberals to get off the fainting couch and enjoy a joke, that works both ways. · 4 minutes ago
I do not disagree.
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
KarlUB:
Oh, and when it comes to his "abusive" Twitter feed: When we tell liberals to get off the fainting couch and enjoy a joke, that works both ways. · 4 minutes ago
I don't know why you put quotes around "abusive" -- my word was "catty."
For a grown man, his twitter feed read like a particularly immature teenage girl with jealousy issues. Not that I think that should get you canned from a campaign either, of course.
But reporters did say that he was dishonest or difficult to work with. Maybe that's where the "abusive" came in?
In his favor, he worked well on foreign policy with John Bolton and George W. Bush for seven years (being a libertarian, I don't particularly find these to be statements in his favor, of course).
Dec '10
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
Sorry, Mollie. The "abusive" was in reference to another comment. Should have been more clear about that.
And in regards to his foreign policy, you made an excellent point I should have engaged. I, too, probably don't actually like his foreign policy views if he is a Bolten protege. I enjoy Bolten's irascibility, though. This fellow seems cut from the same cloth.
So by "supporting" him in his future endeavors, I only mean to say I wish conservatives had more gay spokespeople with credible access to the gay community. Because of this, I hope we can foster relationships with people like Grenell. Not alienate them.
Sounds to me like Romney's folks did a pretty good job of fostering, so good on them.
Re: A Shameful Moment for the Conservative Movement
KarlUB: Sorry, Mollie. The "abusive" was in reference to another comment. Should have been more clear about that.
And in regards to his foreign policy, you made an excellent point I should have engaged. I, too, probably don't actually like his foreign policy views if he is a Bolten protege. I enjoy Bolten's irascibility, though. This fellow seems cut from the same cloth.
So by "supporting" him in his future endeavors, I only mean to say I wish conservatives had more gay spokespeople with credible access to the gay community. Because of this, I hope we can foster relationships with people like Grenell. Not alienate them.
Sounds to me like Romney's folks did a pretty good job of fostering, so good on them. · 4 minutes ago
Yeah, I really enjoy Bolton as a person but am not a fan of that foreign policy. I have many friends who are, however, and they all loved Grenell -- as a person and fellow fighter for the cause. And that York column agrees with you about the Romney fostering. Whatever happened, it ain't on them.