R. Clarke Cooper, the executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans. is trying to use ENDA as a wedge issue to get Mitt Romney elected. In a Daily Caller op-ed, Cooper suggests Romney announce support for ENDA, the Employee Non-Discrimination Act that would ban sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in the workplace and in hiring. Never mind the fact that Romney signed NOM’s marriage pledge, which includes support of a federal amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning same-sex marriage, promises a federal defense in courts of DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, and a “presidential commission on religious liberty,†that would, among other items, propose protections for those opposed to same-sex marriage equality.
But Cooper is certain he can convince Romney to support ENDA, because it’s “a message that unites Americans, provides real benefits for millions of LGBT people and plays to the strengths of the Romney-Ryan ticket. Romney and Ryan both have records of supporting these protections, and for practicing nondiscrimination in their own leadership roles, so this step is entirely in line with the Romney-Ryan campaign’s “promise of equal opportunity, not equal outcomes.â€
“Romney is not ready or willing to support same-sex marriage, but there are still concrete steps that his campaign can take to counter the liberal strategy of painting the GOP as anti-gay that would also provide tangible benefits for LGBT Americans,” Cooper writes.
Really? The “liberal strategy of painting the GOP as anti-gay”? Seriously? Is the Log Cabin Republican leadership becoming as delusional as GOProud?
There’s no “liberal strategy of painting the GOP as anti-gay.” The GOP provided the paint, brushes, and manpower, all for free.
“Before the president’s May announcement that he supports gay marriage, the main issue being pressed by LGBT advocates was actually workplace protections,” Cooper continues.
Um, no, much to the chagrin of ENDA advocates. Marriage has been the top focus — even before DADT was repealed. As much as it would be great to get ENDA passed, it has not been the community’s top priority.
“Romney has said that he opposes workplace discrimination. By vowing to sign an executive order preventing federal contractors from firing people for being LGBT, and joining Paul Ryan in support for ENDA, Romney can draw a favorable contrast between himself and the president.”
Paul Ryan’s “support for ENDA” was a vote in 2007. No one has asked him if he still supports ENDA, and I’ll wager (though, not, you know, $10,000, since bloggers are poor,) that if pressed, Ryan will find a way to wriggle out of supporting ENDA.
If Cooper somehow can work this magic, great. But let’s at least be clear on the facts, OK, Clarke?