Minneapolis, MN -
Log Cabin Republicans, the leading organization of gay and lesbian Republicans, today announced its endorsement of Sen. John McCain for President of the United States at its "Big Tent Event" during the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.
The organization's national board of directors voted 12-2 to endorse the Republican nominees for President and Vice President.
"On the most important issue that LGBT Americans faced in the last decade—the federal marriage amendment—Sen. John McCain stood with us. Now we stand with him," said Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon. "Sen. McCain is an inclusive Republican who is focusing the GOP on unifying core principles that appeal to independent voters."
"Sen. McCain showed courage by bucking his own party's leadership and the president—twice voting against the amendment. He gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor, calling the amendment ‘antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans.' He paid a political price for his vote," said Sammon.
McCain has had a long association with Log Cabin Republicans, dating back to the mid-1990s.
"Sen. McCain has always shown a willingness to reach out and engage in dialogue with Log Cabin, while considering all sides of an issue," said Sammon. "We know that will continue when he is President."
"We have honest disagreements with Sen. McCain on a number of gay rights issues. Log Cabin will continue our conversation with him and other Republican leaders about issues affecting gay and lesbian Americans. We will speak out when there's disagreement—either during the upcoming campaign or when John McCain is President," said Sammon.
Log Cabin endorses only Republican candidates, but declined to endorse President George W. Bush in 2004—largely over the president's push for a federal anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment and his decision to use gay people as a wedge issue in winning re-election.
"I expect Sen. McCain will receive strong support from gay and lesbian Americans," said Sammon.
The organization's national board of directors voted 12-2 to endorse the Republican nominees for President and Vice President.
"On the most important issue that LGBT Americans faced in the last decade—the federal marriage amendment—Sen. John McCain stood with us. Now we stand with him," said Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon. "Sen. McCain is an inclusive Republican who is focusing the GOP on unifying core principles that appeal to independent voters."
"Sen. McCain showed courage by bucking his own party's leadership and the president—twice voting against the amendment. He gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor, calling the amendment ‘antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans.' He paid a political price for his vote," said Sammon.
McCain has had a long association with Log Cabin Republicans, dating back to the mid-1990s.
"Sen. McCain has always shown a willingness to reach out and engage in dialogue with Log Cabin, while considering all sides of an issue," said Sammon. "We know that will continue when he is President."
"We have honest disagreements with Sen. McCain on a number of gay rights issues. Log Cabin will continue our conversation with him and other Republican leaders about issues affecting gay and lesbian Americans. We will speak out when there's disagreement—either during the upcoming campaign or when John McCain is President," said Sammon.
Log Cabin endorses only Republican candidates, but declined to endorse President George W. Bush in 2004—largely over the president's push for a federal anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment and his decision to use gay people as a wedge issue in winning re-election.
"I expect Sen. McCain will receive strong support from gay and lesbian Americans," said Sammon.
