As candidates to head the Republican
Party prepare to debate, Richard Socarides, president of Equity
Matters, claims support for gay marriage within the GOP is
increasing.
In
an appearance on ABC News' Topline,
Socarides said he was a “glass half full” type of person on the
issue of gay rights in the Republican Party.
“You see Ted Olson, a former
solicitor general, bringing this very important marriage case out in
California,” Socarides said. “You see people like Laura Bush
saying that they think gay marriage is coming. You see other very
prominent Republicans, Ken Mehlman among others – comfortable
enough to come out – and talking about these issues.”
Show host Amy Walter gasped in
disbelief when Socarides added: “We may even have a Republican
candidate for president this next time who supports gay marriage.”
Socarides, however, failed to mention
Fred
Karger, an openly gay Republican and gay marriage activist who is
considering a run for president in 2012.
And while marginal voices in the party
support gay rights, none
of the leading candidates vying to unseat RNC Chairman Michael Steele
support gay marriage. The
candidates will gather on Monday to debate the issues.