Tucson Observer: Part 3 of the McCain Hypocrisy

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Part 3 of the McCain Hypocrisy - Keeping The Money

(H/T Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend)

This is rich icing on the cake, in light of today's revelation that Republican presidential nominee John McCain has a professionally closeted Senate chief of staff, Mark Buse (who received a Roy Cohn Award from Mike Rogers).

Remember back in August when online gay cruising service Manhunt co-founder Jonathan Crutchley donated the personal max ($2300) to John McCain's campaign? At the time, once it was revealed, Crutchley stepped down as chair of the company (while remaining as a co-owner) to stop the flood of complaints and account cancellations for supporting the anti-gay candidate. This is how the (Boston Herald) reported it:

"Politically, it was just off-base, with the whole feeling over here at Manhunt," said site co-creator Larry Basile yesterday, pointing out McCain's views against adoption by gay couples and same-sex marriage.
McCain's camp seemed just as eager to distance themselves from the brief alliance. McCain spokesman Jeff Grappone didn't return multiple phone calls on the subject, and Crutchley has apparently been informed that his $2,300 will be returned.
"He said, 'If John is too good for my money, I'll give it to (presumptive Democratic nominee) Barack (Obama),' " Basile said yesterday.

Well, the money never left the McCain coffers. Ben Smith at The Politico:

That report, which I linked, appears to have been inaccurate. Last month's campaign finance reports don't show a refund to Crutchley.

Interestingly, Smith is incorrect about the following:

Indeed, while the contribution caused a bitter backlash against Crutchley inside the gay political world (and a backlash against that backlash), there was never any indication of a backlash from the Republican side. McCain has never been well suited to the role of culture warrior, and his aides declined at the time to comment on Crutchley or the contribution.

As we saw above, someone in the McCain camp leaked that the contribution would be returned. So who dropped the ball -- or does McCain like the taste of gay money while he stabs the community in the back? Will Crutchley come forward to ask why he hasn't received his supposedly rejected queer-tainted $2300?