GOP Leadership's Mixed Gay Messages Signal Larger Party Conflicts

Republican leaders are having a hard time striking a balance on gay rights. While some GOP officials are openly reaching out to their queer party peers, others are actively scorning gay people, and press. These questionable mixed signals are part of a much larger, and potentially disastrous, problem for the Republican Party's communication machine.

Sen. John McCain has some fuming over his treatment of gay media during a press conference yesterday, when he snipped at The Advocate's Kerry Eleveld, who was questioning the Senator on whether the military actively investigated suspected gay soldiers.

"Regulations are, we do not go out and seek to find out if someone's sexual orientation," the Republican insisted, despite evidence that the military has indeed snooped in on private emails. "That is the fact. That is the fact. Now ma'am, I know the military very well, and I know what's being done... They are not seeking out people who are gay. And I don't care what you say, I know it's a fact." You can see the Think Progress-provided video below the jump.

McCain doesn't seem too concerned with gay people's opinions: he personally fought for the filibuster that helped halt "Don't Ask, Don't Tell's" repeal this week. Despite his leading position in the party, however, McCain's overtly hostile position isn't representative of all Republicans all the time.

Sen. John Cornyn, Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, will attend tonight a Log Cabin Republican dinner, where he and fellow Texas Republican, Rep. Pete Sessions, will be "honored" with the Barry Goldwater Award. Though Sessions bailed at the last minute, Cornyn remains committed to the event, which represents the first time a GOP head of a committee will address the Log Cabin Republicans.

Social conservatives, who feel their grasp on the party slipping, are displeased with Cornyn's gay fraternizing, and Family Research Council's Tony Perkins sent a letter demanding Sessions ignore the invite.

"In light of all this activity against both Republicans and conservatives, it is deeply troubling to me that you would lend your credibility to this organization," he wrote. "Your work in the U.S. Senate on issues important to the family is well known... In deference to the work you have done against the debasement of our culture, I would ask respectfully that you withdraw from attending the event."

Cornyn stood firm, however, and replied, "Respecting each other's dignity is not about ignoring those disagreements, but rather being honest about them, and working together where possible despite them."

Yes, Cornyn opposes marriage equality and also blocked "Don't Ask, Don't Tell's" repeal, but at least he's making some sort of effort. Popular opinion on gay people, and gay marriage, is leaning toward "pro," and many within the GOP understand the need to evolve. As McCain makes clear, however, not all party members support an inclusive future.

The mixed messages we're receiving from McCain and Cornyn represents a larger conflict within the Republican party. Some GOP officials, like Sen. Jon Kyl and Rep. John Boehner, question the 14th Amendment, while fellow Republicans insist the citizen-related amendment should remain untarnished.

Meanwhile, though many Republicans have thrown their weight behind the Tea Party, established leaders like Karl Rove are publicly criticizing the movement's stability and usefulness.

The Republican Party can't get its message straight when it comes to a host of issues facing this nation, including gay rights. Sure, the party may seem poised for a Congressional takeover come November, but will they be able to hold their base together through 2012 when even the leaders can't agree to how move forward?

Photo credit: John Cornyn's Flickr