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Log Cabin Republicans of NY: Mike Bloomberg will continue to improve the quality of life for all
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It is widely believed that voters will re-elect Michael Bloomberg for a third term as mayor of New York City on November 3. Although he faces many challenges, such as creating new jobs, reducing poverty, and stabilizing one of the world’s most vital economies, Bloomberg’s financial expertise and dedication to the city will ensure his continued success over the next four years.
Mayor Bloomberg was a Republican until 2007, when he officially left the party to become an Independent. Today, he enjoys bi-partisan support among New Yorkers: the most recent Marist Poll shows that 74% of likely GOP voters and 45% of Democrats are expected to vote for him on Tuesday.
Some may find it hard to believe that Bloomberg maintains widespread support among Republicans; as a supporter of same-sex marriage, many would assume the GOP automatically opposes him – and anyone that does is entirely mistaken. Often vilified by Democrats as being anti-gay, the Republican Party is much more tolerant than most critics would allow you to believe.
With that in mind, I recently caught up with Gregory T. Angelo, Chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of New York State, which is part of a national organization of Republicans that support fairness, freedom and equality for gay and lesbian Americans.
In the following exclusive Q&A, Angelo explains why his organization supports Mayor Michael Bloomberg; he also addresses same-sex marriage and the increasing presence of gays and lesbians in the Republican Party.
LCR NY has done a lot to help Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his bid for re-election; obviously, his support of same-sex civil marriage is a major reason for that. Why else do you feel that Mayor Bloomberg is the right choice for all New Yorkers?
Mayor Bloomberg’s support of equal rights for all New York taxpayers was a major reason for our support of his campaign, but his leadership on economic issues was also a factor. The city is in the midst of one of the greatest economic crises in history. This isn’t a time for taking chances; we need a leader with a proven record of results, accomplishment and success in the public and private sectors, and that leader is Mayor Bloomberg.
Michael Bloomberg has made many invaluable contributions to the City of New York over the past eight years; what specific achievements do you feel he will make over the next four years, and how will this improve life for the average New Yorker?
Mayor Bloomberg has done a lot for the City of New York over the last eight years, and all of it boils down to three words: quality of life. His restructuring of the city’s school system improved education, and his support of Log Cabin Republicans’ Safe Schools for All Students Act signified his desire for all students to learn in an environment that allows them to achieve their greatest potential. His advocacy for civil marriage has also proven his dedication to equal rights for all. In the next four years, we see Mayor Bloomberg continuing to improve the quality of life for all taxpayers by encouraging development, promoting business and underlining the city’s history as a beacon welcoming to all.
What obstacles might Michael Bloomberg face as he works to stabilize New York City’s economy? What do you think he will need to do to ultimately prevail in this difficult task?
People can talk until they’re blue in the face about economic indicators, the stock market, property values and more, but the greatest indicator of economic success is jobs. Right now, New York is at 10% unemployment. Mayor Bloomberg has announced his plan to create or save 400,000 jobs in his next term in office; he will do so by cutting bureaucracy and taxes to encourage an environment in which small business will thrive.
As an Independent, Michael Bloomberg enjoys more political freedom than he would as a Democrat or Republican. Does your support of Bloomberg put you at odds with the Republican Party both now, and in the future? Why or why not?
Log Cabin Republicans only endorses Republican candidates. We endorsed Mayor Bloomberg in 2001 and 2005 when he was a registered Republican, and though he is no longer officially affiliated with the party, he is the Republican candidate for Mayor in this election and he remains an ally of our organization. Not only is Mayor Bloomberg the Republican candidate, but his candidacy was endorsed by all five of the city’s Republican clubs. That doesn’t sound like we’re at odds with the Republican Party to me; it sounds like we’re loyal Republicans.
Just days ago, Governor David Paterson announced he will soon submit new legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in New York; the measure’s future is untold, and state Republicans will surely have a decisive hand in its success, or failure. How does LCR NY plan to work with Republican (and Democrat) state legislators as these events unfold?
With a Democratic majority in the New York State Senate, the onus is really on the Democratic Party to bring marriage equality up for a vote. Having said that, Log Cabin continues to lobby Republican legislators and has had a great deal of success: former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno stated he was in favor of marriage as one of the “inalienable rights” due to all Americans and rather than make a partisan wedge issue out of marriage, as had been done in the past, current Republican Minority Leader Dean Skelos has pledged to allow a “vote of conscience” among his caucus. Neither of these advancements would have been realized without the one-on-one advocacy of Log Cabin Republicans.
Will LCR NY’s support of Governor Paterson’s push for same-sex marriage cause infighting within the NY Republican Party?
Leader Skelos’ commitment to a conscience vote among his caucus on the marriage vote prevents infighting around this issue on the Republican side. Republican Senators are free to vote their conscience on this issue.
Other than your support for gay rights and same-sex marriage, the average person would probably find that LCR NY’s political beliefs are generally in line with the Republican Party platform. Do you feel at all misunderstood, both within your own party, and outside of it?
Low taxes, small government, strong national defense, personal freedom – these are all tenants of Log Cabin Republicans and the foundation of the Republican Party. I will say that I feel far more welcome and understood as a gay man in most Republican circles than I do as a Republican in gay circles. Democrats give so much lip service to “tolerance” but they will only tolerate you if you blindly accept their polemic.
Do you feel the public has a vast misunderstanding of the Republican Party’s acceptance of the LGBT community? From your vantage, has the media played a role in shaping misconceptions about the existence of gay Republicans?
Media outlets that regularly cover politics generally understand the importance and impact that the Log Cabin Republicans have. I’ve found it’s often the opinion blogs that show the greatest ignorance of the organization and are the quickest to echo the tired cliché of “gay Republicans” being an oxymoron or our organization being a bunch of “old, white, self-hating rich men.” We have a broad base of members – from college students to retirees representing a range of cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds. And our numbers continue to grow. Every week I’m contacted by more and more gay men and women who want to get involved with Log Cabin Republicans; they feel disillusioned by the Democratic Party or are registered Republicans who want to become more active in politics. It’s worth noting that nearly one-third of gay men and women voted for John McCain in the 2008 Presidential election, and for all the talk of Republicans’ sinking numbers, the one demographic in which the Republican Party actually gained support in 2008 was among gay voters – up from 17% in the 2004 Presidential election. Republican values are striking a chord with gay voters, and Log Cabin Republicans is on the ground advocating for equal rights, campaigning for candidates, donating to campaigns and advancing legislation on their behalf.
What are the most important policy decisions for the NY Republican Party this term? Do you foresee difficulty in achieving them?
Next year’s election cycle is going to be pivotal in New York. The Republicans need to regain a majority in the State Senate or they will be subject to redistricting that has the potential to keep them in the minority for the foreseeable future. Regaining the majority can only be achieved by appealing to a broad base. Ronald Reagan was famous for his appeal to the center; so was the late, great Jack Kemp. They knew that the “Big Tent” model of Republicanism is the path to victory, and Log Cabin Republicans carries on that legacy.
For more information on Log Cabin Republicans of New York State, please visit http://newyork.logcabin.org/.
[Photo Credit: Gregory T. Angelo, who appears with Mayor Michael Bloomberg]
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