Aug 29, 2008  |  By: AMY CAVANAUGH  | COMMENTS     

With the Republican National Convention set to kick off on Monday, the Log Cabin Republicans still have yet to endorse a candidate.

"At this point we are still in the process of making a decision," said Patrick Sammon, president of the Log Cabin Republicans. "We're certainly paying close attention to the vice presidential choice expected later this week, but we're still ahead of schedule in terms of a final decision, when you look at our endorsement decisions in 2000, 1996 and 2004.

“We're continuing to assess where we want to go, but certainly Sen. McCain is no George Bush when it comes to gay issues. He has a more inclusive record than our current president and he is going to be able to get our party focused on the unifying core Republican issues instead of using divisive social issues to win."

The convention, which runs Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, is expected to result in the nomination of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) as the Republican candidate for president, but gay delegates and other attendees also plan to use the convention to advocate for a more inclusive party.

Scott Tucker, communications director for Log Cabin, said that about 100 Log Cabin members and openly gay delegates, alternates and convention guests will attend. Tucker said that though he does not know the exact number, there are about two-dozen gay delegates and alternates. This week’s Democratic National Convention included about 277 openly gay delegates out of 4,400.

"There's a bigger gay presence this year, since I think some of our members are encouraged by Sen. McCain," Tucker said. "Also, I think that our members want to be a part of the process, and that’s important, no matter where you stand on the issues and no matter what party you belong to. It's good for gay and lesbian people that we take part in the conventions, in Denver and then the Republican National Convention."

Log Cabin events at the convention include the Big Tent Event on Sept. 2 that will feature congressional allies and other speakers, and a luncheon on Sept. 4 to honor the gay delegates.

"We’re also co-hosting the Gay Ol' Party with the Victory Fund on Sept. 3," Tucker said. "The party is an opportunity for the LGBT community in Minneapolis and St. Paul to take part in the convention festivities. It's a way for the local community to be engaged and to attend an event, even if they can't get into the actual convention."

One of the delegate duties at the convention is to ratify the party platform. The current Republican platform draft calls for a constitutional ban on gay marriage, and though McCain opposes gay marriage, he also opposes a federal amendment banning it. He has, however, supported state amendments seeking to ban the unions.

At the convention, delegates attend meetings, where they can work on wording or eject platform issues before ratifying the document.

"That's one of the main reasons I'm involved," said Brent Lovett, a gay delegate from Nevada, "I get to come in here and be vocal, and work the party to a more center position. I doubt that it will be successful, but it's better to have someone there yelling than not have anyone."

Beyond making the platform more inclusive, Sammon said Log Cabin hopes to accomplish a few things in Minneapolis.

"We're there to educate Republicans about why the party needs to be more inclusive on gay and lesbian issues and to gain some new allies for our work," he said. "We also hope to highlight the progress our organization has made in recent years, and we certainly want to reiterate the importance for our party to come together and understand that inclusion wins and we don’t need to agree on everything to support the same candidates."

"We believe in a Republican Party that attracts Americans from all walks of life — that's how you sustain a majority and win elections," said Tucker.

"The Log Cabin Republicans are the first to acknowledge that our party isn’t where it needs to be on gay and lesbian issues. That's why we're here, and we’re going to be in Minneapolis talking about it."