I know I know, another diary about a CA Republican but I had my eye on the this CA primary since Carl was interviewed by Megyn Kelly and was pulling for his victory ever since. Carl has an interesting story, was orphaned at 14, educated by the Jesuits, graduated from Georgetown Univ, built and sold two businesses, became a millionaire by 31 and a public servant ever since. Carl Demaio is one of three gay Republicans trying to get elected to congress, Richard Tisei and Dan Innis of NH are the other two. While Tisei and Innis have received the backing of The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Carl Demaio has not.
From what I have read, Carl is the first gay candidate for office to feature is partner in a tv ad and is touting his fiscal conservatism while being socially moderate. Many of his positions are right up my ally, such as putting all members of congress on 401-K’s, lifetime ban for members of congress from becoming lobbyists, no budget-no pay, clean single issue bills, not the ones where all the special interests tack on their lard, and no more travel perks and gifts.
What is troubling to read is how during his mayoral run for San Diego, it were Democrat donors who mailed flyers of photoshopped pics of Carl with a drag queen and a bizarre embrace of another male. The Democrat operatives were slick, they drew up the flyers to appear they came from a group calling themselves ‘Conservatives for Gay Rights’ and were dropped in conservative and African-American areas of San Diego. Robocalls were part of the itinerary too. Talk about dirty pool, no? The folks responsible for this smear (gay-baiting) against Carl had to pay a small fine after the election, but the damage was done and Carl lost a squeeker to his Democrat rival Bob Filner, who by the way, ended up resigning b/c he sexually harassed women (War on Women anyone?). It’s no wonder Maura Healey wants Warren Tolman to sign her pledge to ensure this type of crap (mailings and robocalls) doesn’t happen in Massachusetts, she has my endorsement for AG!
With a few races under his belt and after campaigning in the district, Carl said “I’ve found more tolerance, acceptance and inclusion from social conservative groups who have to reconcile that I’m a Republican who happens to be gay…versus the intolerance the LGBT leaders see me as a gay man who happens to be a Republican. Despite claims that they insist on tolerance, diversity and acceptance on all political issues, I suspect that they really want to keep intact their alliance with unions so that they don’t upset their funding sources and coalition. The Democratic groups need the GOP to remain the bogeyman because if the Republicans are no longer a threat, who needs to donate to these LGBT political groups?”
I could not agree with you any more Carl and best of luck in Nov, we here at BMG could use more people like yourself in congress.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Oct/11/gay-baiting-carl-demaio-ads-revealed/
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/04/28/california-house-race-no-one-puts-gay-republican-carl-demaio-in-corner/
You posted on the wrong site.
Texas GOP Draft Platform endorse Gay Conversion Therapy means that parents will pay to have their children tortured into believing they are not gay. This is the reprehensible future of the GOP.
I’m with Dan on this one. With the rise of the Tea Party, it is refreshing to see Republicans like DeMaio doing well. And I think that a more left-leaning Republican party enables us Democrats to go even further left as a result (ie realistically passing nationwide single-payer, banning the death penalty, etc.).
…the new bi-partisan CA primary system in which the two top vote getters square off in the general. This primary system tends to reward the moderates, opposite the results from traditional “base appeal” primaries that really have driven a wedge in today’s politics. How do you think this guy would have faired in an all GOP primary…much like Innis who will most likely lose against a scandal plagued GOP challenger.
We all discussed having such a system here during the congressional special election last year. It would have been more interesting if Katherine Clark had to face off against the #2 vote getter Peter Koutoujian (my second choice) instead of the Republican Frankie Avalon. I totally agree this type of primary would elect more moderates and being one, would fully embrace at the congressional level.
I believe DeMaio would do very well in locked primaries in most states. I take him at his word on the reception he has received by social conservatives.
Think you meant Frank Addinovola, not the guy who sang at my moms prom
in 1964 😉
Otherwise, like David, I would favor this reform or IRV.
All this coverage on the MS election has made me wonder how the south got run offs while the north is still stuck in first past the post?