Gay Republicans seething at Perry

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Gay Republicans seething at Perry
By Josh Lederman - 12/09/11 06:00 AM ET


Gay Republican groups are fuming at Rick Perry over a pair of incidents they say reflect deep-seated hostility toward gay and lesbian Americans and disrespect for those who serve in the military.

Perry supporters maintain that the controversial television ad and press statement are consistent with Perry’s own deeply held beliefs. But they also acknowledge the underlying political calculation behind what gay groups claim is a cynical late-game ploy to sway evangelicals and social conservatives in Iowa ahead of the Jan. 3 caucuses.

“They certainly are showing desperation. We’re seeing the end times of the Perry campaign,” said Jimmy LaSalvia, co-founder of GOProud, a group representing gay Republicans. “This is a strategy that plays to a very, very small minority — playing to the cheap seats is what it is.”

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The head of Log Cabin Republicans, another major group of gay conservatives, blasted the ad, calling out Perry for drawing a false dichotomy between being religious and supporting equality in the military.

Meanwhile, Perry critics pointed out that barely 700 viewers had “liked” the video on YouTube, but almost 25,000 viewers had “disliked” it.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/198317-gay-republicans-seething-at-perry