Dreier outed in LA Weekly

The story in the LA Weekly outing David Dreier (R-CA) is out (the one Raw Story alluded to).  There's not a lot that we haven't already seen here and on blogactive.

The implications for Dreier are pretty much summed up in the last paragraph:

Dreier can probably survive outing in his district and be re-elected, and it won't hurt him much with Arnold and his cronies either. But Dreier's days as a key member of the ultra-homophobic Hastert-DeLay House GOP leadership may be numbered. The telegenic Dreier has often served as the GOP leadership's spokesman on the TV chat-show circuit. It will be interesting to see whether, the next time Dreier shows up on Crossfire or Chris Matthews' show, he's asked about the contradictions between his anti-gay voting record and his hitherto-secret life.

Link:  http://laweekly.com/ink/04/44/news-ireland.php

(Edit: Corrected reference to Raw Story.)

•  whatever happened to schrock's seat?

  Did the Virginia GOP nominate somebody who's sure to replace him, given the R party reg edge in Hampton Roads/ VA Beach, or does our candidate still have a shot?

  by pangolin on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:33:29 AM PDT

  •  GOP Nominated

    A candidate, a woman State Senator, to replace Ed Schrock.  

    by eafredel on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:42:10 AM PDT

    •  so do we still have a shot?

      Or will VA Beach vote for the generic R who's now on the ballot?

      by pangolin on Sat Oct 02, 2004 at 08:37:32 PM PDT

•  He's F*cked.

  Unless a lot more middle-of-the-road Republicans start standing up to the ideologues in their party, Dreier has no future in politics there.

  Whether he can win his reelection or not doesn't matter. He'll be completely removed from any position of power or influence by his party, and that will be that.

  It sickens me. I disagree with traditional Republicans on a whole host of issues, but this freaking extremism has made me lose all faith in "thinking" Republicans. When Bush was elected, I gave him the benfit of the doubt, thinking, "How bad could it be? He's surrrounded by advisors and still has to deal with a system of checks and balances..."

  George said it best, " ...fool me once..."

  by saynuk on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:34:59 AM PDT

  •  And another thing about Dreier

    I'll bet you he could run as a Democrat and still get elected. Not that I want him to. But except for his horrible voting record on gay issues and siding with the extremists, he could possibly play up his fiscal responsibility ideas and find a place as a middle-of-the-road Democrat.

    Do a tearful apology on TV, say you were a conflicted "gay American," and talk about what a changed man you are.

    by saynuk on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:38:35 AM PDT

    •  except if he becomes a "changed man"...

      will he change the way he votes on gay issues?  Will his constituency buy such a hypocritical stance? An opponent could have a field day with that.

      He should quit, get his own E! show on celebrities rumoured to be gay, make more money than he is now, and let a real Democrat have the seat.  

      by queerbklynboy on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 06:15:07 AM PDT

•  So has this guy

  been anti-gay? Is he like that idiot in Virginia or what???

  more info??

  by Redst3 on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:41:56 AM PDT

  •  Yes. He has a strong anti-gay record

    This is why it's become an issue, as more and more GLBT people won't stand for this "one rule for us elite, another rule for you scum" hypocrisy any more.

    It's almost becoming a joke - the more anti-gay-rights a winger is, the greater the odds of them being gay or bi.

    (I'm betting on Bill Buckley and Mel Gibson myself. Don't know about the Arnoid.)

    by bellatrys on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 07:26:56 AM PDT

•  Jeez! What's the mystery?

  He's over 50, & has never been married.

  by Heywood Jablowme on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:49:29 AM PDT

  •  Over 50 and unmarried...

    Will the same rule apply to Condi when she turns 50 in November?

    by saynuk on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 06:50:30 AM PDT

    •  You Betcha!

      Isn't it obvious?

      by Heywood Jablowme on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 09:35:46 AM PDT

•  I love the hypothetical from Matthews

  but it will never be asked.  The chattering class is unable to see things in those terms.  Instead, he'd get asked about tactics surrounding outing.

  It's the same thing as when we mention that the policies of the Republican party are bigoted.  Using language like that is verboten because they're not "reponsible" or "respectful."  They are unable to see how the hideous things Buchanan et. al. say about gay people are disrespectful or hateful.  

  Say nasty things about gay people: legitimate political discourse.
  Call those same statements bigoted and hateful: off limits.

  by MAJeff on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:50:20 AM PDT

•  Actually it was the Raw Story, not Drudge

  One of the last diaries that referenced this LA Weekly story might have made it unclear who was breaking this story. If I remember correctly, the diarist referred to The Raw Story as "our Drudge."  

  Besides, I don't think Drudge would break this story at this point in the campaign. As the election approaches, I notice that Drudge is avoiding any stories damaging to Republicans. Plus, since he's such a closet case himself, this story probably hits too close to home.

  by John Campanelli on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:56:47 AM PDT

  •  Corrected

    Noted and edited.

    Thanks for your sharp eye and lucid memory, neither of which I had at 5:33 am when I posted this.

    by runchadrun on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 07:10:53 AM PDT