|
Compiled by GayToday
National Stonewall Democrats
Did Bush advisor Karl Rove break the law to pay off the right-wing? |
Washington, D.C.--The National Stonewall Democrats called on President
Bush and his top advisors yesterday to fully and immediately answer allegations that
Bush's presidential campaign engineered a highly questionable strategy to
hide payment to one or more right-wing, anti-gay operatives. The New York
Times detailed these accusations on January 25, 2002.
According to the report, associates of Karl Rove state that Rove, long-time
top adviser to George W. Bush, orchestrated an unethical and potentially
illegal deal with Enron for the Texas-based company to retain Ralph Reed as
a consultant so that Reed could advise the Bush campaign without appearing
on the candidate's payroll. |
The report alleges that the Bush campaign was able to rely on Reed and his ties
to the religious right without risking the campaign's "compassionate conservatism" message.
"The American people deserve a thorough and independent examination of the
alleged Karl Rove-Ralph Reed scandal reported last week in the New York
Times," said Chad Johnson, NSD Executive Director.
"It's in everyone's interest for President Bush to direct Karl Rove to immediately make all
contacts with Enron public, and for Congress to ask tough questions. If the
facts about Ralph Reed and Enron are true, George W. Bush wrapped his arms
around 11 gay Republicans for a photo op, while his campaign improperly, and
illicitly, masked his real loyalty to the anti-gay right wing."
|
According to the New York Times, Reed, the former executive director of the
anti-gay Christian Coalition, was paid between $10,000 and $20,000 per month
by Enron while he "volunteered" his time on the Bush campaign.
Rove's alleged deal permitted Bush to solidify his political position among
anti-gay, radical-right groups of voters and simultaneously appeal to
centrist voters with a moderate public image.
One of the most notorious of these anti-gay activities by right-wing groups
on Bush's behalf involved a flier sent to legislators during the South Carolina
primary, stating that rival Senator John McCain was tied to homosexual groups
and accordingly was unfit to be president. Who paid for, or disseminated, the gay-baiting
materials in support of the Bush campaign was never identified.
|
Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Ralph Reed Profited from Enron Thanks to Top Bush Advisor
George W. Bush's Hypocrisy Stuns HRC's Elizabeth Birch
Big Brother is Watching You (Series)
Related Sites:
Stonewall Democrats
GayToday does not endorse related sites.
|
If the reports of Rove's scheme prove accurate, it appears likely that Rove,
Reed and Enron violated federal election laws and other statutes, a
development that could implicate others, including the President.
|
