Nov 24, 2006  |  By: JOSHUA LYNSEN  | COMMENTS     

his divorce from his second wife.

But his pro-gay stances could be tempered, Marble said, as the politicians work to secure the Republican nomination.

“There’s no way that someone like Rudy Giuliani can win the nomination without the support and blessing of the anti-gay activists,” he said, “and that’s something he’ll remember.”

Marble also noted McCain was not supportive of gay issues in the 109th Congress, receiving a 33 on the HRC scorecard.

“Sen. McCain is someone who has employed flowery words on our issues in the past,” he said, “but his voting record is often at odds with the public image he tries to project.”

Smoot agreed. She said McCain’s record on gay legislation falls short.

“John McCain has been steadfast in his opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment, and his opposition has been very important because he’s seen as such a prominent moderate voice,” she said. “But other than opposing the FMA, he really has not done much to advance GLBT equality.”

Activists said other Republican contenders are no better on gay issues.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — who has explicitly denied any intention to run but nonetheless polls well — has been criticized for barring gay groups from allying with the United Nations.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, meanwhile, has led a campaign against gay marriage in his home state.

“Let me say this about Mitt Romney,” Smoot said. “He seems to have bent over backwards to make it very clear that he does not in any way stand with the gay community.”

Sammon said Romney’s venom likely will get him nowhere because Republicans are more interested in appealing to moderate voters in 2008.

“Republican voters are going to be most interested in preventing Hillary from becoming president, and will support the Republican most capable of doing that,” he said. “That’s why McCain or Giuliani will be the choice.”