New Poll Names Lincoln, Hoover as Most Influential Gay Republicans

A new poll has revealed some surprising results about American attitudes towards influential gay republicans. Results of the survey, conducted earlier this month by the Swift Report, a popular conservative weblog, identifies a number of powerful gay republicans including former president Abraham Lincoln and former FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover.

Poll indicates growing influence of gays within GOP

By Deanna Swift

WASHINGTON, DC—A new poll has revealed some surprising results about American attitudes towards influential gay republicans. The survey, conducted earlier this month, asked respondents to name individuals that they believed played a dominant role within the Republican Party and the country at large. The poll was conducted by the Swift Report, a popular conservative weblog that frequently covers gay issues of importance to the GOP.

Who's on top—and who's on the bottom
Tops on the list: historical figures including former FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover and former president Abraham Lincoln. Present day gays took a decidedly backseat role to these past gay luminaries. Newsmaker Jeff Gannon took in just 13% of the vote, while only 7% of respondents identified commentator Andrew Sullivan or top lesbian Mary Cheney as the most influential gay republicans. [Click thumbnail to view poll results.]

Former Virginia congressman Ed Schrock landed on the bottom of the pile, garnering just 1% of the vote. Once among the most influential gays in the GOP, Schrock's star has dimmed considerably since he abruptly dropped out of his race for a third term last fall, citing unspecified "allegations."

Some surprising findings
The poll was not without its surprises, notes Swift Report executive editor Todd Fox. Among the most startling revelations: the news that 29% of respondents consider Charlton Heston to be the most influential gay republican. "This was obviously a huge surprise to us as Heston is not widely known to be gay," says Fox. Heston, the virile, brawny classical actor, is best known for gay roles including his acclaimed turn as conflicted artist Michelangelo in "The Agony and the Ecstasy."

"It's a real testament to the man that people would single him out as the most influential gay republican, even on a fiercely competitive stage," says Fox.

Influence swells within party
2005 has already been a banner year for GOP gays. Reporter Jeff Gannon's near celebrity status as an openly gay conservative newsman has considerably boosted the profile of homosexuals within the nation's ruling political party.

But for those who hope to come out on top in next year's ranking of influential gay republicans, be forewarned: the competition is already hot and heavy. Political observers say that the increasingly welcome climate for gays in the GOP is encouraging more and more homosexuals in the party to announce their status. That means that while the 2005 survey of influential gay republicans was limited to just 7 candidates, next year's competition could include 3 times that many, says editor Fox.

In recent months, top GOP figures including Ken Mehlman, chair of the Republican National committee and Dan Gurley, GOP national field director, have embraced their gay identity.

And the party is just getting started, say observers. White House press secretary Scott McLellan is expected to be the next high-profile Bush administration official to raise the rainbow flag. McLellan's close working relationship with gay reporter Gannon, whom the press secretary frequently called upon at official media events, is said to have encouraged McLellan to begin exerting his influence as a gay republican.

"This is obviously a trend that's growing in size and importance," says Fox, "and the Swift Report is happy to be able to document it."

About the Swift Report
Founded in 2004 by conservative journalists Todd Fox and Deanna Swift, the Swift Report is devoted to chronicling abuses by the liberal media and spotting emerging trends within the Republican Party. The Swift Report has no relationship to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

Deanna Swift can be reached at [email protected].

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Comments

[mistah charley, ph.d.]

When the history of our era is written, we will have to add the names of Karl Rove and George W. Bush to this list.

[LiberAl]

Hey, look at this list of notable Hollywood Republicans.

Rip Torn and Rip Taylor?

Kinda makes you think, huh?

Fred Thompson, Fred Gandy, Sonny Bono, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shirley Temple Black, India Allen, Bo Derek, Robert Conrad, Tom Selleck, Ben Stein, Ron Silver, Mickey Rooney, Emily Proctor, Charlton Heston, Bob Gale, Kurt Russell, Rick Shroder, Rip Torn, Rip Taylor, James Belushi, Scott Baio, Pat Boone, Ernest Borgnine, Kelsey Grammer, Heather Locklear, Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, and many, many others

[CryptoCat]

Deanna --

Frankly I'm shocked.

Not even one little vote for Fred 'Gopher' Gandy?????

His rise from Yeoman-Purser on the 'Love Boat'to Iowa congressman was well lubricated to say the least.

[jprtist]

I had never heard that Hoover was gay before this article. I would liked to have read more on that subject. Now, Hoover's not only the second worst President in American History, but he's also, at least, the second gay President in US History.

I have yet to see an example of "Jeff Gannon" being openly gay. Jim Guckert yes, but Gannon acts like his posting nude images of himself, and posting his gay escort resume was a slip of the pen.

If you're listing gay GOP members now, you surely must be considering adding Karl Rove to the list.

As long as the party is suddenly so open to gays, what do you all think about the rumors of GWB and the former Mayor of Memphis' affair?

[jprtist]

Posted by: Whit McMahan

"Sharing beds certainly beat sleeping in a barn and had nothing to do with attraction".

I consider myself very open minded, but I'd much rather sleep in a barn, then share a bed with another male.

To be fair, I do suspect there are other straight men who do not feel as strongly as I, but I think they would be few in numbers, percentage wise.

Honestly, almost everytime I hear a member of the GOP talking about the gay issue, even when it is to bash gays, they come off as rather "queer" sounding themselves.

Surely anybody who is positive that one's sexuality is a decision, must have had to choose their gender preferance at one time or another. As for myself, I never had to wonder which sex I prefered, or make a decision as to which gender I sleep with.

I think most gay bashers are compensating over guilt for their own tastes in same gender sex.

I wonder how many members of the GOP, can't enjoy sex, unless they feel guilty about it.

[Whit McMahan]

I regret the asumption of your title that Abraham Lincoln was gay. This matter began with one man's opinion and pure speculation has somehow been interwoven into fact. As an Abraham Lincoln presenter myself, and somewhat of an authority on the man, I find nothing at all that leads me to believe he was gay. Men sharing beds with other men in Lincoln's day was commonplace where beds were few and lodging was scarce. Sharing beds certainly beat sleeping in a barn and had nothing to do with attraction. I wish that before converting speculations into curt headlines, the writer had done more research on this subject.