Huntsman Attracts Gay Support

Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman's moderate views may hurt him with some conservatives, but apparently not with gay members of the GOP. The heads of two main gay Republican groups attended a Washington, D.C., fundraiser for Huntsman this week, an attendee told Politico.

Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of the outspoken conservative group GOProud, showed up, as did Christian Berle, deputy executive director of the more establishmentarian Log Cabin Republicans. Both attended despite the fact they don’t get along well with each other.

Huntsman was friendly to gays as governor of Utah, favoring civil unions, including hospital visitation. Although his stances on gay rights are similar to those of former President George W. Bush, Huntsman seems to have written off seeking the support of social conservatives.