(CNN) – An outspoken critic of Mark Sanford is accusing the embattled South Carolina governor of orchestrating a smear campaign against Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.
Republican State Sen. Jake Knotts wrote to fellow members of the state legislature on Wednesday accusing Sanford and his allies of spreading rumors that Bauer is gay - a claim that was reported earlier this week by a blogger who seeks to out closeted conservative politicians.
"As a former target of a false rumor started by the Sanford Camp I can tell you with absolute certainty this attack was orchestrated on behalf of Mark Sanford, either directly or indirectly, and financially subsidized by him or one of his many 'front-groups,'" Knotts wrote. The letter was first reported by "The Palmetto Scoop," a South Carolina political Web site.
Knotts, an ally of Bauer and a fierce opponent of Sanford, said there is no truth to the gay rumors that have dogged Bauer for years.
"I have known Andre since he was eight years old," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
Bauer publicly called on Sanford to resign last week, a request that was promptly rejected by the governor. Bauer is also planning to enter the crowded race to succeed Sanford next year. If Sanford resigns or is forced from office before his term expires, Bauer would assume the governorship, a move that would allow him to run as an incumbent in 2010. Bauer said if Sanford resigns within the next month, he would bow out of the governor's race.
Bauer himself addressed the gay rumors earlier this summer, telling The State newspaper: "One word, two letters. 'No.' Let's go ahead and dispel that now."
"It's an absolute effort by Sanford's people to discredit Andre," Knotts said of the rumors. "Sanford hates Andre so bad it's pitiful."
Knotts said allies of the governor shopped the rumor because "they dont like that Andre is young, Andre is smart, and they see Andre as a threat to them."
"Every time I have seen Andre and as long as I've known him, he's always had a pretty girlfriend," Knotts told CNN. "They love him, he treats them well, he treats them nice, he treats them with respect. He doesn't hang out in bars and go from woman to woman. Everybody that knows Andre knows for sure he ain't been seen hanging on to no damn man."
Sanford's office pushed back hard against Knotts' allegations.
"This letter is simply wrong - and in that regard, as bizarre as many of the other claims and attacks of recent weeks," said Sanford spokesman Ben Fox. "Some have even argued this indeed points to an obsession with slandering anyone who tries to change the 'good ol' boy' system of politics in Columbia.
"South Carolina is facing serious challenges, and the Governor is dedicated to addressing these challenges alongside other members of the legislature committed to the same," he said. "We have a state capital with too much spending, too little transparency, and as shown by this letter, at times too many political attacks."
Knotts is the state senator who first raised questions about Sanford's mysterious absence from Columbia in June, before it was revealed that the governor had left the country to visit his mistress. In the letter to fellow legislators, he repeated his demand that Sanford step down or be impeached.
Follow Peter Hamby on Twitter.
From CNN Politics
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
Bigots are crawling out from under their rocks.
Sanford, why are you still in office? You have disgraced yourself to the point of not being effective, step aside and let someone else get some work done.
Aside from any other sleaziness in this story, the idea that being gay is a 'discredit' to someone is loathesome to say the list.
"Good boys" are not gay? Pathetic.
Sanford running a smear campaign against ANYBODY is comedy within itself.
Claims of adultery and homosexuality swirling around South Carolina's political circles does the state no good. I wonder how effectively it is being run with all these accusations which tend to hinge on lifestyle deviance more than anything else.
"I have known Andre since he was 8 years," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
Thus implying that gay men are not "good boys." Nice prejudice there, Knotts. Good thing they didn't accuse him of being a closet Mexican. Have a nice day!
"That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
------------------------------
Didn't Bauer say he would not run for the seat in 2010?
Republican ying yang: Gays are a profitable political target to "move" the Christian Right base; some Republicans are gay. What do the Republicans do now ? Just drop the targeting of gays. First,, when they wake up, they'll realize it's good politics. Second, they won't feel so sleazy about themselves. Third, IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO !
B T W Republicans, how is that anti Hispanic thing working out for you ?
They should impeach Gov. Sanfond!
Good grief! Does anyone care who might or might not be gay? Does anyone still believe Mark Sanford can run this state? He's a poster boy for mental imbalance. It's an embarrassment to live in this state.
Instead of worrying about who shows up on someone's arm, let's worry about our unemployment, our incredibly poor schools....let's even worry about beach renourishment, anything but the drivel coming out of Columbia!
So what if he was gay? People in SC need to modernize their way of thinking. This deep-south, right-wing, neo-con, ideology is not what the rest of America is like or needs. Who cares if the man is gay – does that make him any less able to do this job? I dont really care what sexual affiliation you have – if you're not a liar (like Sanford), you've got my vote!
How crazy are Republicans. Why does it even matter, in this day and age, if someone was gay or not? It should not be an issue anymore!!!
I love listening to Republicans attack each other. It's such a nice change from the normal Democrat (liberal) bashing they love to do so much.
Someone needs to call roto-rooter and dislodge Sanford from the position he holds as KING TURD of SC.
He needs to go. He's so typical C-Street Republican that will do anything to hang onto his lucrative position and benefits. GET HIM OUT OF OFFICE.
CAGE MATCH!!!! Two elephants enter, one leaves!
Keep up the in-fighting, it gives you less time to mis-inform the ignorant base that seems to be today's conservative constituency.
Lies don't become truth no matter how loud you yell it. Hear that Tea Bag Express?
So, being homosexual is incompatible with being a "good boy." Now THAT'S a great defense. How about a defense of "it's not true, but if it were, who cares?"
Oh, GOD. Here we go again.
When push comes to shove, I honestly do agree more with the Republicans than the Democrats...I just wish they didn't have to talk and act like such jackholes.
No! Say it ain't so! A Republican spreading lies about someone he doesn't like! Can't be!
Like Bush/Rove and McCain's illegitimate child.
Or Bush/Rove and the swift boat liars.
Or the birthers and Obama is not a citizen.
Or the Obama is a terrorist.
Wait. The Republicans wouldn't know truth, honor, or class if it bit them where the sun doesn't shine.
just gotta love those upright, moral, Christian Republican politicians
In the words of Dick Cheney, So? I've heard Lindsey Graham was too. Is he? Don't know, furthermore could care less. If Mr. Knotts and Mr. Sanford were doing the jobs they're being paid to do, maybe they'd both have a lot less time to spread rumors about others.
I wonder if God told him to do it. Apparently, God talks to Gov. Sanford a lot. This is the reason he gave for not resigning. Why didn't he listen to God before he had the extramarital activities.
Please!!!!!
"Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. " Uh, because homosexuals are bad? Gotta love the deep south.
"I have known Andre since he was 8 years," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
wow, so if he was gay he wouldn't be a "good boy"??? The people in ths country are ridiculous....spreading rumors that someone is gay so they won't get elected? what are they running for, 6th grade class president
oh dear god. knotts is worse than the governor. doesn't he realize that he is the homophobic one? It is so hard to believe that so many narrow minded people still exist in this country and amazing that so many of them hold political office.
"That boy is a good boy." How offensive is that statement? As if being gay makes you a bad person. Outrageous.
"I have known Andre since he was 8 years," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
If he had a homosexual bone in his body, he'd be alot better.
Mark Sanford doing something devious and underhanded? No!, thats impossible! I mean, isn't he a Republican? I thought they didn't do things like that, at least, thats what they keep telling me it seems! LOL!
Even if the accusation this moron is leveling at Sanford is true, you'd think he would be more conscious of how homophobic and biggotted he sounds in the manner in which he rebuts it. It's becoming crysal clear that the GOPers really just like the taste of feet.
The whole lot is an embarrassment to the people of South Carolina.
"I have known Andre since he was 8 years," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. "
What, so if he were gay he wouldn't be a "good boy"?
The only thing as disgusting as trying to smear someone by suggesting that they are gay is the suggestion that being gay is a bad thing.
Mark is just a piece of work. Did he not have issues with Bauer when he ran on Mark's ticket ??? Didn't he think tjat a LT Govener may have to fill-in for him from time to time ??? NOW its a bad thing that the guy could be gay ??? Here he is married with 4 young boys and he is fooling around with a foriegn women and he tries to go after bauer for not publically being gay...if it were even true???? If Andre were Gay at least he isn't shoving in South Carolina's faces !!! This is just beautiful. REIGN MARK. YOU ARE MUCH WORSE THAN BAUER COULD EVER BE !!!!
Who says you can't be a "good boy" and gay? They are not mutually exclusive.
Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy."
The only smear here is against gay people, not the Lt. Governor.
If he was Gay then that would make him a bad boy. SOmeone not able to hold a political office like Governor.
I wish that people would open their eyes, minds and hearts and realize it is not your gender, your sexuality, your color, ...but your true nature as a person, your compassion, your openess to love one another, your genuine concern for all life, human, animal, plant. Your love for life and nature.
Look past the fighting words and look into the eyes of the person. I am not writing in support or against Bauer but more to plead to the people of today to wake up and realize their is more to life than hatred and war. Love and you will be a happier more fulfilled person for it!
Another republican "poster boy" – when you can't defend your own behavior – you attack with lies: more fear and smear – and when it comes to hot-button words – nothing energizes the base like the word 'gay" – although this being SC – the Bush smear about McCain's fathering a "black baby" did pretty well ... must be something in that state's water ...
Who says you can't be a "good boy" and gay? They are not mutually exclusive.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
What does it say about a society that would prefer a lying, cheating, thiefing philanderer over a guy who may or may not be homosexual. Sanford is only putting this out there because he knows his constiuents. In the South Carolina bible belt a homosexual would lose to Hitler.
Just another Republican wacko.God give this country strength to get thru this terrible time. Let the right and left wackos go to their respective corners and raise their little wackos however they want and leave the rest of us alone.
"this boy is a good boy?I'm sorry, when did being gay become bad? Oh, that's right! Only in the self-hating trashy south like SC! Let him come out of the closet!! He needs to hang with Ted Haggard!!!!
"I have known Andre since he was 8 years," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. "
----
Excuse me you bigot? I know many 'good' gay people. Spreading a false rumor or course is a terrible thing but your true colors are shining through.
It's not just pitiful, it's sad. Who cares whether he's gay? Or–I should rephrase that–who should care whether he's gay? He's not the one who disappeared from his post of "running" the state and may have used state funds to go for a romantic rendezvous.
Would that kind of smear work in South Carolina? If it is true, who cares?
THIS is who the republicans and the radical right are, this sort of behaviour ie spreading rumors just goes to the heart of who they are, immoral hypocrites
"Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy."
Way to sound like a backwoods redneck. The correct answer should have been:
"No, he is not gay, and even if he were, who cares? Let's not deflect the focus off the person who's been engaged in illegal activity from an office of authority. That man is Mark Sanford."
That is the problem with the homophobic/toe-tapping/paging hypocrisy in the Republican Party. Their oppression of others does not allow people to live their lives honestly, so they act out in unhealthy ways–Foley, Haggard, Craig, McGreevey, etc.
On the contrary to Knotts demeaning nonsense, many Americans know far more a good boy in the gay community, than Knott's corrupt GOP.
It is beyond comprehension how the Log Cabin Republicans stay in this homophobic party with the way they treat their community. ALL Americans surely deserve better.
See, Republicans will even slit the throats of their own if they think it will get them one step ahead. It's getting so old!
"Ain't a homosexual bone in his body"
Can be just cut off the "south" and set it adrift in the gulf of Mexico?
Its seems that the "good boy" protests a bit too much...
Jake Knotts' homophobic comments are exactly why the South is still regarded as America's Wasteland of Ignorance and Baffoonery
I'd like to note this section of the article:
"Knotts, an ally of Bauer and a fierce opponent of Sanford, said there is no truth to the gay rumors that have dogged Bauer for years.
'I have known Andre since he was 8 years,' Knotts told CNN. 'Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor.'"
So, if he was gay he would NOT be a good person? It seems that being gay or calling something gay is one of the last domains of publicly excepted discrimination. If there were rumors Bauer was part American Indian, Hispanic, Black, or even handicapped, Knotts wouldn't say Andre is a "good boy" in the face of those allegations. Will there ever be a day when politicians won't give lip service to an allegation that has no place in the political arena. I know this is the South and ignorance has deeper seeds there, but come on people...watch your words. The gay and lesbian community is tired of being America's punching bag.
"I have known Andre since he was eight years old," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy.
Hmmm....is he implying then that homosexuals are bad? What's wrong with these southerners??
"Ain't a homosexual bone in his body."
...at the moment.
Typical ignorant redneck remark "that boy is a good boy". Like he can't be a good boy if he were gay... which from all appearances, I'd say he is. Wonder how long it will take for him to come up with a beard... I mean WIFE... like the governor of Florida did when he was vying to become McCain's VP.
Anything else going on in the country? Maybe Obama will finally realize that America DOES NOT WANT his health care agenda......now that woulkd be news!!!!!!
Ah. "The Party of Hate" rears its ugly head once more.
Jesus would "regurgitate."
"I have known Andre since he was eight years old," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy."
How homophobic can you get?
Methinks the Lt. Gov. doth protest too much.
It is sad that in this day and age, being gay and in a political office would be a bad or undesirable thing. That Knotts, Bauer's supported stated: "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor." is dreadful. Is he, in his "good ole boy" way saying that he's a good boy because he is heterosexual?
I'm sick to death of all these good ole boys and their hypocrisy.
The gift that keeps on giving. Republicans, in the SAME state, representing the SAME constituents...can't even get along.
That tells you everything you need to know. I mean these two are not representing seperate demographics....they are representing the SAME people, and they can't co-operate.
Republicans, when they don't have a democrat to blame, they blame each other. How pathetic your party is. I would be ashamed to be part of your domestic terrorist network.
Dear Sen. Knotts:
"I have known Andre since he was eight years old," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
So, if he were gay he would somehow not be a 'good boy'. I get what you're trying to say, but you might want to choose your words more carefully.
Can they just get rid of Sanford and give him a one way ticket to go to his soul mate in Argentina? What an absolute jerk.
This Knott's guy is a homophobe. I would not support his views or Sanford's. Neither Bauer or Sanford or Knotts should be the governor next. I am offended by the statement "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy". Are you saying homosexuals are bad? because that's what it sounds like. Sexuality should not matter if he is a capable leader. Ask Barney Frank
And so Kntotts says: "That boy is a good boy" in refuting the accusation of homosexuality. Hmmm
Not sure this "defense" is any better than the homophobe's accusation.
Anyone who thinks Regent College is a real academic institution is a complete and utter retard. Seriously. And after Bush packed the Justice Dept and other government agencies with graduates of that so-called "school," because Robertson was basically the equivalent of his personally mullah, we've got these Christian fundie nincompoops running amok in positions of relative power. The GOP daydream of turning America into a "krischun nashun" is the single biggest threat to everything upon which our country and our society was founded....and that's the God' honest truth, no matter how hard they scream, rant, rave and lie while misusing the word "socialism."
"Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy." I assume that means that all homosexuals are bad...typical closed-minded republican thinking. They will never be a big tent party because they are filled with too much hate.
In time that hate will collaspe the party completely. I almost feel sorry for them.
Andre Bauer was born in March 20, 1969 with no spouse. He is still looking for either Miss right or Mr. right. I guess for him to be a good governor, he needs to be given time to find his partner. For Mark, he has wife and concubines at least that demonstrate that Mark is straight and not gay. What about Andre? None! None!!! None!!!
"I have known Andre since he was eight years old," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
SO, if Bauer were gay he wouldnt be a "good boy?" What a stupid thing for Knotts to say.
If Sanford did not exist he would have to be invented. What's wrong with being gay ? Except that they don't cheat on their wives ...
So Knotts is saying Homosexuality is bad? Knotts is the one who should be in trouble.
Sanford is just a liar a thief and and all around creep. Nuff said.
As a bleeding heart conservative, I say this..I would rather have a conservative, GAY Governor any day, then a Governor who exhibits ARROGANCE and DIGRACE! RESIGN ALREADY!! You do no service to the Republican Party on a National scale!!
Someone cue the circus music, please.
That's right Sanford...God views you in much better regard because you lied, cheated on your wife, used taxpayers money for your Argentinian trists, destroyed your boys, destroyed your wife and your career and failed at governing your state. Of course, all of this is so much better than if you were gay! Why is this lying sack of crap still in office?
Can this guy get any scummier?
You really need to consider the track record of the blogger who outed the Lt. Governor. It's impressive.
Say what you will about whether outing someone is right or not, if Bauer has been outed on BlogActive, there's good reason to believe it.
The last thing any politician wants is for a former spouse, boyfriend, or sex partner to stand up in public and speak out. Often, more than just "the basics" are revealed and careers are ruined.
If the Lt. Governor is gay, so what? That, by itself, should not be the issue. If he's lying about being gay, and has worked against his own community with the power of his position, that's a problem.
I'd say the gentleman from South Carolina has about a week to fess up or face the very public consequences.
A rat cornered, tries to bite. I hope these hateful people are not calling themselves Christian.
These pretentious appeals to increasingly out-dated, delightfully stilted, narrow-minded realms of conformity are sad, petty. Often, it really does appear that GOP members are living in Victorian times to the relish of the party's faithful. Suggesting or responding to charges or rumors that define being "gay" as a discredit to someone who is otherwise respectable is on the same level with saying that "falling in love" is a discredit to those who have fallen in love or ever might fall in love without asking for permission first. We will never move forward as a society until we get beyond the petty rhetoric of "name calling" and move on to the solemn business of resolving the real problems that confront us all. As a nation. As a continent. As a world.
Republicans in a dog fight with each other? Self destruction continues.
Just resign. Let's get all scum out of politics...pelosi, sanford, rangel, and the communists in Obama's administration.
This is ashame, the statement should have been No he is not gay but even if he was what difference would that make. I am embarassed by Knotts statement.
I don't normally like to be a target, but being homosexual ain't natural or good, that's for sure. If it were, don't you think God or evolution (whichever you prefer) would have allowed men to procreate together and ditto for women? I'm just saying, think about it....
And so I say unto thee yet again, my fellow Americans, irony is completely and utterly lost on the GOPers.
Sanford is sleazy and shameless.
Does Sanford seriously believe that God wants him to stay in office? That's the latest I've heard. I have a hard time believing it, seeing how Sanford has not only committed adultery, but now appears to be bearing false witness and smearing others.
You've broken two of the Commandments, Sanford.
Check out Exodus 20:14 and 20:16.
You're a fraud.
Who cares.
How kind of him to say that he not gay, he's a "good boy", as though all gay people (read again, PEOPLE), are inherently evil.
Gotta hand it to South Carolina ... there's bad, and then there's just as bad. Where do the voters find all these "good ole boys?" We can only hope they'll secede again, and take Texas with them.
It is past time for this guy to go. It's amazing what some of these creeps will do to stay in power.
South Carolina retains its crown as the right-wing smear campaign capital of America. Lee Atwater would be proud if he were alive to see what he created.
The GOP has solidified its position as the party of hate, resentment and fear-mongering. How do they convince so many people to work against their own best interests? Very scary.
I thought the stupidest people in America all lived in Texas or Florida. Now we need to make room for South Carolina on the list.
I often thought that the South should have seceded..let them go! If a mansion was for sale for $1000. in the south, I STILL wouldn't move there. Yuck! And gee, with friends like Knotts, I'd be a little worried about being gay around there. Finally, what's with the use of the word (or non-word) "ain't" Where on earth did they go to school? Yuck again.
Nice try at changing the argument but you are still a cheating sleazebag hypocrite who needs to resign NOW.
What are these guys? Junior high kids? Oh, grow up!
Oh God, next Bauer will have part Native American blood in him, or worse, he'll have read the Harry Potter books!
Being gay makes it that he's not "a good boy," imagine what being a reading minority would do!
-_-
Have they not figured out that saying someone is gay is not that big of a deal?
When will people figure out that has long disappeared as something negative?
Let me guess....God told the Sanford to do this!
To good, Keep Sanford in office till the end of his term, this is to much fun!!!
Mike Rogers, a guy with a FLAWLESS track record of confirming his stories with NUMEROUS and INDEPENDENT sources, broke this story. Mike Rogers is hardly a tool of the right wing. Mark Sanford is certainly a duplicitous sleazebag, but that doesn't change the fact that Andre Bauer is a closet-case.
Lets see and it's the Lord who told you it's OK because your a republican.
He's gay.
He is not. He's a good boy. Sanford's a hypocrite.
I'll never leave and you can't make me.
Just what about this exchange makes anyone believe that either one is qualified to serve the public.
So he's a "Good ol boy" as opposed to what? Being gay?
They're all sick in the head!
Thanks CNN! Another facet of liberals coming out of the closet to join the debate with further entertainment value. Probably no interests in NC whatsoever but here's an opportunity to shout homophobe much like other close minded people shouting "racist!" for saying something tastes like chicken or other such silliness. I think it's sad that the insecurity is sooo deeep. You can never be free or accepted if you remain a prisoner of your own mind. Who cares what people say. Love, laugh and live. Hatred will kill you. Until you do I'll keep reading and laughing so keep it up, this is good.
So Bauer being a heterosexual makes him a "good boy"? I don't know what's worse, the homosexual accusation or the retort that being a heterosexual means you are a good boy.
You have to listen to this.... Knott said:"I have known Andre since he was eight years old," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy..."
-------------------------------
Republicans! Herein lies your biggest problem: INTOLERANCE! This is why you don't have a tent but instead a little teepee. " That boy is a good boy" implying that if he were gay he wouldn't be a "good boy". In this day and age that is the height of ignorance, and bigotry.
The fact that Sanford, a RethugliKlan, is utilizing a smear-campaign is NOT surprising to us educated folks who have seen the RethugliKlans stoop to the lowest common denominator in order to achieve or maintain their power. Once again, the cannibals (read Republicans) are turning on themselves as they find their big piece of the power-pie reduced to crumbs.
Meanwhile, while y'all fight amongst yourselves, we the real Americans, will continue with the business of helping our country get back on it's feet. Hopefully without your useless interference. Carry on.
Here's a new thread of thought. Instead of complaining about Knott's statements that Bauer is not gay. Why is everyone so gullible as to take anything he says as fact? He claims ...I can tell you with absolute certainty this attack was orchestrated on behalf of Mark Sanford, either directly or indirectly, and financially subsidized by him or one of his many 'front-groups,'" ... I would like to know if he has proof to back that statement up. Or does he just hate Sanford so much he will say anything bad whether it is true or not?
"Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
Okay, Mr. Backwoods. Apparently you can't be good and gay at the same time in PA? Hillbillies.
While the fifth-graders are over there fighting about who's gay, other news is indeed happening:
Maybe Obama will finally realize that one American DOES NOT WANT his health care agenda, therefore obviously ALL Americans don't want it either...
With that kind of logic it's no wonder the GOP seems like a shipwreck forced back out to sea before it was fixed.
so.........sanford, who can do anything he feels like it......even if it is VERY wrong.......................
Not letting anyone know his where abouts...........all of the State....................................................................................
he is going to smear who????????????????????????????????
has he heard.......let the person who has done NO wrong cast the first stone???????????????????????
he need not pick up any stones.
where would he get this type of info?????????????he does not talk to anyone in the US......................
is he still a gov???????????????????????????????????
sanford who?????????????????
Sanford seriously needs to seek medical attention for his cranial rectal inversion.
We want that scumbag out of the political arena, forthwith. If he violated any state/federal law in the fund usage, he ought to face double the penalty accorded to others. In lieu of rulin' the state, he seems to be ruinin' it.
More very typical Republican behavior from one of the most corrupt and dishonest governors in American history. One wonders why the people of his state continue to put up with Sanford's actions rather than recalling or impeaching him.
The sexual orientation of South Carolina's governor should not be a concern to of the voters, at least as long as he does not skip town unannounced to visit Mario in Argentina.
This article is hip deep in prejudice and bigotry. Can the right wing of the Republican party as a whole even separate the wheat from the chaff anymore? Can they make an intelligent case about anything? They lie about everything including each other if it suits their aims. It is nauseating and pathetic all at the same time. What a bunch of losers. It is mind boggling that anyone can believe word one from them. I once belonged to the party of Abe Lincoln.....how inconsolable he would be to see it now.
Why is it that the Carolina's are always steeped in drama?
No, the stupidest people live in California. It's obvious because they elected that doe in the headlights Pelosi. FL has more residents born in NY and NJ than NY or NJ. Texas has the best doctors in the country because Texas treats them like doctors. What does CA have...oh yeah, nothing...they're bankrupt.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
"Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
Okay, Mr. Backwoods. Apparently you can't be good and gay at the same time in SC? Hillbillies.
Who cares if he's gay or not? What has that got to do with anything?
"The State has no place in the bedrooms of the nation" – Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
Can someone please just make this Sanford person go away?
So if he were gay, he wouldn't be a 'good boy?'
"that boy is a good boy"? seriousley? Bigots, the whole bunch of them with Sanford leading the gay bashing parade.
As I am understanding today's society, there is no smear attached to calling someone gay. So, just what's the problem here? Is the senator saying that Bauer is not gay because "he is a good boy"? Isn't he smearing gays by inferring gays are not good boys?
So what if Bauer is gay? What's wrong with that? Mr. Knotts, I'm offended by your outrage. Aren't we all a little gay?
i love how bauer refutes this by denying the charges instead of saying though i'm not, more importantly, who the heck cares if i am –and calling out sanford for being as homophobic as he is sanctimonious given his own recent antics.
one's innate immutable unchosen sexual orientation cannot be changed. how many more years need pass and research studies need come out?
personally, i think a person who is gay or lesbian has the courage to be honest about it despite politicians like sanford and bauer making their lives difficult is evidence of moral fiber and character which is an ASSET to any public office office holder.
Again, folks, Sanford did not say Bauer is gay. Someone wrote it on a blog. Knotts 'claims' it came from Sanford. Where is the proof? I don't like Sanford; he is an embarrassment to his party and state. But I also dislike spreading rumors that cannot be proven.
I hang my head in abject shame, in utter disgust, in disgraceful embarrassment that this fiasco continues to plague my home State and my Nation! More to the point, I cannot for the life of me see how the Governor and the rest of our elected officials cannot see the shameful light this casts upon all of us in the State of South Carolina. Just HOW LOW can Sanford and the machine around him go? There should be a din in Columbia after this... a call for people with signs, picketing,...you name it—to move this man out of the mansion. This has to be the very sleaziest, most despicable ploy in S.C. political history.
Any chance at salvation...any chance at resolution....any chance at saving his political future is now gone and gone forever for Mark Sanford! And trying to take all of those around him down with him just makes him worse, and actually, raises them a notch or two!
What next, a duel at 20 paces with paintball guns—winner take all???
I do love the Deep South, Most of us still have values. Yes, most of us are against homosexuality. God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. If it comes out Bauer is gay, his career as a politician in South Carolina is over. Call it right, call it wrong, that is just the way it is.
If the south is sooooo bad, why does everyone from all over the country keep moving here. If u don't like it stay where you are at. Get out of our state.
Sanford is not the first politician to get caught cheating on his wife or using funds for upgraded travel. At least he cheated in Argentina and not in the oval office.
Even if it was true, how would being gay discredit him or make him unfit to govern a state? There's a reason conservatives are losing their offices.
So being gay is immoral?? Since when? I thought cheating on your wife was immoral......republican hypocrites at it again.
The only problem is that Andre bauer IS Gay. He lives with his boyfriend and I have known many people whom have dated him. He is gay and this cannot be good for him to have to deny it. He should have never said he wasn't , because many know he is and it should not be a dig deal anyway.
One side says, "YOU are GAY!" The other side says, "NO, I'm NOT!" So now it's a contest between who can be the most anti-gay? How silly can this get? Let these right-wing nuts eat each other alive.
Who cares if he were gay. They're acting as if being gay is a bad thing. It is neither good or bad, like eye color it just is.
This is a typical and predictable Republican technique: whenever the heat is on they look to their right and crap all over that person in the hopes that the stench will draw attention away from their "little peccadilloes" such as: gross misuse of gov't funds,adultery, tax-evasion, unnecessary wars, torturing, stealing........etc.
When will America wake up and see the light. republicans are something that you need to scrape off the bottom of your boot.
Typical republican actions. Slur, flame, and lie...what else is new. Here we have a governor who should have been kicked out of office for stealing taxpayer money to pay for trips to visit his girlfriend. He is still hanging and lying and trying to slur his opponents. Will they ever stop the low down common actions, of these republicans.
I lived in South Carolina for 33 years and its like being in a time warp, politicians will say and do anything to stay in power. The hatred of gays is always used for political gain.
How in the world do these ignorant people get elected....and then re-elected? Do you really want these people protecting your rights and voting on policies that affect the American people and the planet?
He's gay or he's not.....who cares....except maybe his wife(?)
What the heck is in the drinking water in South Carolina?
"He is not gay, he is a good boy", wow, what a joke the
Republicans have become.
No Republican would ever stand a chance to be elected
in any other part of the Western world, unless the would
be part of the fringe lunatic right wingers like Le Pen in France.
Sandford just doesn't know when to quit.
So I was reading the article "Dems go after GOP Senate candidates" and I have finally come to the conclusion that the majority of americans are full of hate. to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if we had a civil war soon. I mean at least if that happened at least we americans wouldn't be all talk and finally take some action. Anyway both sides are acting like children and I will no longer be their puppet and vote for any of them. I hated bush, I liked obama, I liked clinton, but really has anything really really changed in my life from any of these presidents so far in my life time. NOPE!!!!! So honestly i will be throwing my vote away next year and most likely I will teach my kids to do the same and so on and so on..so instead of my family counting on anyone, we will be holding ourselves accountable for our own lives, not the government because politics will always be the same!!!!!
I'd be interested in Larry Craig or Ted Haggard's perspective on this. There's nothing like a self-loathing closet case to shed some light on the situation.
What if he is gay? Who cares – this is so childish.
Another closeted gay republipig? Heaven forbid If the gop didn't spend so much time demonizing gays they wouldn't always have to worry about the inevitable flap when they are outed.
Chrlie Crist, Mark Foley, Larry Craig, and many many others are in denial about their homosexulaity; to the detriment of their party. They just look ridiculous.
So in South Carolina it's the pro-gay rights people who declare that someone cannot be gay and a "good boy"?
Good grief.
Wowww. Could these people be any more stereotypical hateful hicks? "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body ... he's a good boy!" This makes me sick and is disrespectful to LGBTQ people as well as to anyone who doesn't have some obsessive issue against being gay. As to the person who posted from the South saying that hating people is "moral" and that everyone moves to the South and envies them... that's pretty darn funny. I'll leave it there.
How many Gay Republicans do you think they have after that "little" slip of the tongue? I cannot wait to see how they try to recover from this one. This better than ANY soap opera!!! The open-your-mouth-insert-foot Party strikes again.
What is wrong if Bauer were gay? These right wing nuts are at each other's throat, let them fight it out and in the meantime don't insult gays. Whether someone is gay or not shouldn't be a criteria in holding office. It is the person's intelligence, judgement and character that counts. Being gay does not equate to "being bad" as Mr. Knotts, Mr. Bauer's ally, implied.
I'd never move the the SE part of the U.S. I would move a corporation out too.
Why doesn't someone out Lindsey Graham (NC) and Mitch McConnell (KY) as well? both rumored to be gay gop senators.
Ditto David Dreier of California; out em all
Hey but the lying website drudge is trying to say that one of Obama's supporters bit the finger off one of the good old boys, paid and bought by the republicans and the health and drug companies. And by the way how does being gay or not, have to do with Obama and health care. Just another sneaky butt republican trying to slip in a lie...darn de darn those guys will do anything and I mean anything to take a swipe at Obama.
Here we have bush WHO ABSOLUTELY AND CERTAINLY RUINED EVERYTHING GOOD about this country and the dumb butt and blind republicans support him....how did you like me sneaking this in about a gay guy.....just like old sam and mike.
So are they saying that Being Gay is so bad that they feel other Rupgs. won't vote for him and they want to disspell this. Most hanus slander.
Is being gay so bad for the Rupgs. What of the Log-cabin guys ?
Ahhhh Mark Sanford...an obvious hypocrite apparently outing someone, or trying to smear an obviously effeminate man.
So is ole Andre actually gay? I don't know. But in that Ralph Reed, or Lindsey Graham kind of way...he is, well, a cissy.
Also just for the record, I'm a gay, white, southern male, same age range as all these guys, so I am not slinging mud, just calling it like I see it.
In the end....A hypocrite & a cissy.
Ahhhh South Carolina, the "palmetto state". For those of you who don't know a palmetto is a tree (beautiful in my opinion) that most southereners think of as a weed. Again, I say, Ahhhhhh South Carolina
Could the SC Republican party be any more classy? Between this and Levi Johnston's Vanity Fair article, the Republican party are putting on quite a circus/freak show!
"Thou shall not committ adultery" is one of the 10 Commandments. Focus on your own sins, bible thumper.
What? He's not gay, so "that boy is a good boy"? So if he was gay, he'd be a bad boy? That's as offensive as anything else being said by these idiots. Using sexual orientation to smear someone in the first place is hate. Trying to sing and dance your way out of this PR crisis by saying he's not is also hate. Being gay is not a strike against someone. The comment about eye colour is bang-on. Wow. Your country is goofy with this stuff.
The better answer may have been, "whether I am gay or not is not the issue. My character ensures that I'm monogamous and I respect the sanctity of a committed relationship with my chosen partner. I do not condone or practice deceit and indifelity, which strikes me as a more significant moral crisis than my imagined sexuality."
Just a thought...
Not that there's anything wrong with that ! Americans have become such jokes that I am embarrased to be one, especially one from the south. The southern U.S. is proof that our educational system has slipped below third-world standards. Bauer can't be gay because he is a "good boy"? It reminds me of my aunt from Louisiana, who had a son gayer than a goose, but in her mind he couldn't be gay because he was a Christian boy.
Bauer is gay, in his earlier years I was told he used to visit and frequent a place on rivers ave, in North Charleston SC call big
Jim's I was told by a friend that he liked man 2 man action. I don't
personally know, but that is what I was told about 10 years ago.
But why is this cat smearing Gays by saying Bauer is a good boy,
if he was gay would he be a bad boy. Come on now he had some rumors too! Maybe they both be gay boys and are good together!
HUH! something to think about now, I saw broke back mountain!
One more desperate try to get the focus off Sanford's year-long affair paid for by the tax payers.
Republicans are famous for changing the attention of Americans when they are guilty of un-Christian behavior. But the wise Americans are on to their tricks!
Sanford needs to work on cleansing his soul. Judgement day is near and it won't be before a Republican committee or paid for by a group of lobbiests!
Living in Columbia, SC we hear a lot about "Jakey" Knotts. He likes to spout off at every opportunity, and he's a complete idiot. Since when did politics become about the politicians? Aren't we living in a democracy in which the government has a responsibility to its people? I'm just sick of the back and forth, and it's about dam* time our state gets down to business on REAL issues. Sanford has shifted focus from our ridiculously awful school systems, poor economy, and crappy everything else to his personal life. Stop the b.s. and let's get some work done. Can we finally get some jobs in this state? Can we finally educate our kids? Can we PLEASE stop spreading rumors like we're in a high school clique?! We have bigger issues than someone's sexual orientation or indiscretions. I've always heard, "Don't sweat the small stuff..."
That's THE TRAVESTY of typical Republican strategy.
What I think is that If Gov. Sanford really love that mistress, let him go for her. He is looking for the love which his wife did not offer to him, so I believe he found someone whom he really like or some one who really love him.
For those who think the finger of a supporter of health reform was bitten off by a non-supporter: Here are the facts straight from ABC News..
"My understanding is that it was a supporter of health care reform who got into a confrontation with a non-supporter and the non-supporter got his finger bit off," Capt. Bruce Norris of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department told ABC News. "My understanding is that the event was organized by MoveOn.org."
I think this country would be so much better off if ALL of us would stick to the facts instead of ranting on about things we 'hear'.
Obama, Biden, Hillary Clinton and Pelosi are the Best Team America Ever Had.
Go Team Go, We Support You. Majority of Americans Voted you, that is why you are there. You are doing a Great Job.
Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are Criminals, Put them in Jail.
Who gives a hoot what politician is gay, straight or bent over as long as they are not corrupt, cheating on their spouse or running down people on motorcycles. I like what the Iranian Ahmedinajahd (sp) said that there were no gays in his country. I guess thats also true for the GOP.
Children – grow up. I'm actually tired of reading (and hearing) about SC's school yard antics. Enough already.
And these people are suppose to be grown-ups??
Sanford and the rest of the bunch need to knock it off. Better yet, Sanford should just resign and be done with it. This is embarrassing.
Sad how the right wing nutjobs will actually buy into this like they bought into the Death Panels and the Birther conspiracy. You have to feel sorry for the fools.
The rightwing nutjobs have so many phobias: Race, Sex and Cultural. Yet and still we have the following Republicans that seem to show the hypocrisy: Diaper Wearing Vitter; Sex Fiend in the Mens room Craig; Mocha skin Lovin' Sanford with some Chiles; Ensign with Pay for Play sex of his best friend's wife; Lest we forget Cantor going to a Brittney Spears concert instead of a Presidential speech.
What a sad affilliation to be with when you can't be yourself.
These people are being left behind while the 'world' moves onward.
Grow up media.
It's so telling that Republicans keep using gay people, such as myself, as a scapegoat or derogatory excuse, for everything. Funny how it's usually Republicans elected to serve office that keep getting involved in sex scandals. Are they jealous?
Larry Craig, Mark Foley, Bob Allen, Glenn Murphy... why the Republican Party is filled with no-gay leaders.
Sanford is such a tool.... the Lt Gov hasn't gone down to the bottom scaping Sanford's standards – y'know – cheating on your wife, sneaking out of the country, lying, more lying, more cheating, lying some more, blame others, and throw in a heapin' helpin' of narcissistic arrogance. Sanford is a slimeball who tries to dirty everything and everyone around him to deflect the attention away from his outrageous, digusting behavior. Can't SC get rid of him already?
Please resign. Maybe you can join the other quitter in Hong Kong and . . . . . . stay there!
It's embarrassing. Do you have any pride at all?
We will have made real progress in this country when being gay is not a stigma.
South Carolina will progress one day beyond this petty measure of a man's sexuality. However, right now these people make us look like
the hatfields and the McCoys. People gay or straight should not be a job qualification, A person can do a great job regardless of who they share a bed with. I hate the haters maybe the haters should leave
south carolina.
So what if he's gay? Does it matter? I guess only if you're a minority. That would be GOP members. Who admits they're a Republican anymore? I only know one and she's 91 and too old to change.
why are we believing heresay. Its just gossip and dems stop it. repubs stop it this country is so torn apart i am ready to get the hell out of here with my money and never look back. This is not the American i was proud of no not anymore. The Liberals has destroyed it. I am sorry but not everyone should get what they want. But they sure are trying.
Love the comment "Andre is not gay, he's a good boy". What the hell does this mean? Gay people are bad? Nice. Gotta love the South Carolina State House, there's some real winners inhabiting it. Sounds more like Peyton Place.
Maybe now that a Republican has been spoon fed a lie by another Republican, The bitter taste in his mouth should want him to speak the truth and speak it ever to the elderly about "Healthcare."
Otherwise he is no different to his accuser[s.] What goes around comes back around.
Too bad being gay is looked on as such a horrible thing in South Carolina. If they weren't such bigots in the first place the "smear" campaign wouldn't hold much water, now would it?
In reading some of these liberals blogs one has to wonder if they can see the hypocrisy in their own party and lives . I don't think so. One poster spouts out intolerance in the GOP when it comes to gays. Yet as soon as the Blue Dog support their people over the President in this proposed government takeover of healthcare, you want to call them racist and bigots. As soon as independents voice their disapproval of this administration, again, you call them racists and bigots. I need a liberal, any liberal to please explain exactly how the liberal brand of intolerance is a higher and better brand than GOP intolerance? Whatever happen to that BIG TENT mantra? Liberals are exposing it to be a lie!
I'm not South Carolina voter, but this guy make America look bad, when you are given much, much is expected, you have sunk below whale manure Sanford
Did someone say GAY REPUBLICAN??? Oops, you forgot to mention Lindsay Graham. Then again, what did his parents expect when they named HIM Lindsay. Maybe Sanford is not outing Lindsay because Lindsay is probably also his SOUL MATE.
Anyone else hear Dueling Banjoes playing in the background as Knotts made these comments?
Politics is rough – get over it.
It ceases to amaze me what the Evangelistic GOP Right can and will do in Politics! It's like the BLIND LEADING THE BLIND!! No principals, integrity or honesty! IT SEEMS THEY ARE LIKE PAC MEN –eating each other up!! This Sandford dude really has a problem???!!!!!!! And it isn't just about being a womanizer either! I hope he is forced to resign!! The South Carolina people certainly don't deserve THIS CIRCUS!!!
Let's just assume that the Lt. Governor was Gay. So what, other than the fact that he lives in a homophobic state, and the fact would be red meat for homophobic voters? Would that make the lt. Governor a worse person than Sanford, a proven adulterer, hypocrite, violator of his oath of office, and looter of the State treasury?
Shocking! Someone in government might be gay? Who cares? I would rather have an in control gay representative than a philandering representative!
Ah yes – because in South Carolina, you can't be a "good boy" and be gay too. God bless the south.
Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body". These Homophobes make me sick. They make it sound like there is something wrong with being gay when the fact of the matter is there is nothing wrong it. Sexual orientation is not relevant. Also Knotts forgot to add "at the moment".
jeez with friends like those... Why is Bauer only a good boy once denying being gay? Can anyone prove Sandford or his religious cronies did this "bearing false witness" against Bauer? Is anyone surprised that the religious groups aren't calling for Sandford's resignation despite his breaking of several commandments? (Coveting other women before, lying, adultery, stealing)
More fodder for Jon Stewart's show!
Sanford has no shame. What an embarrassment to his state. Whether the Lt. Gov is gay or not doesn't matter to me, but to say that just to hurt him politically, is beyond the pale. Sanford's out cheating on his wife, deserting his state, using public funds to finance his romance, and he has the nerve to try to make the other guy look worse by saying he's gay. (Nice to know Karl Rove's tactics are still embraced by the GOP.) This from a man (or big baby) who has the nerve to say in public that he's trying to fall back in love with his wife. Just resign now and save your state the time and money to impeach you. You are truly a disgrace!
It won't matter in a few months. Sanford is going to be impeached and removed. He just needs another paycheck or two. He knows he is going down. And it will be the Republicans who will do most of the damage! Can't wait.
It doesn't really matter to me if he's gay.
What does matter is if he cheats.
Guess that takes Sanford out of it for me.
And the hits just keep on playing....Everyone in SC knows that Sanford is behind all of this. Before its all over, Sanford will be exposing all of them and their dirty deeds. Let all of the Republicans go down!!!
Sanford is a coward.
I agree he has discraced himself, it is shameful but clinton had the same kinds of situations going on and he never left office.
This guy Sanford has a few loose screws,
Maybe old man Argentina Sanford has first hand knowledge.
It's too bad sicko's like that are in politics. If you opponent is a good person, then make up lies. They did it to McCain in 2000 and Kerry in 2004 and they are doing it still. It's amazing how many naive people whisper campaigns reach and how gullible people are to put any credence in these lies and distortions. The internet just speeds up the process.
Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy." Not exactly a tolerant or sensitive statement itself I think.
Yawn! Hmmm....
Got any real news here?
Nope? I'm outta here.
This CLEARLY is an indicator that Mark Sanford and his "gay bashing" friends are truly despicable beyond words. Mark Sanford is the SINNER of ALL SINNERS. He goes around quoting the bible while sinning himself. The fact that he's attacking the Lt. Governor proves just how much of a SLIME BALL Governor Sanford is. I'm not surprised that Mark Sanford is nothing but a RACIST and DIRTY SLEAZE BALL.
Mark Sanford is your typical SOUTHERN RACIST SLUM DOG, he'll smile in your face while stabbing you in the back the whole time while quoting scriptures from the Bible. This is the caliber of dirty and corrupt politicians coming out of the C-Street "Frat House". These chumps think they are BETTER than everyone else, they feel they are "ENTITLED" to all their selfish GREED and POWER.
what bothers me is that they suggest that he might not be a "good" guy is he was gay. I hate homo phobic pigs. As long as they keep it in there beds then it is none of your freaking buissness, whether you agree with it or not.
I am a 18 year old College Freshman, and I am straight, but being gay or straight should not determine if you are right for the job or not. It is if you know how to do a good job at what you do. There are plenty of gay athletes who are open about it, and even though they are really good and exeptional at being a athlete they are still rejected because they have a different point of view. In my view being gay does not make you any less of a person. For example in 2016 if a person who is gay runs for president, I would not look at that. I would look if he or she is right and intelligent enough for the job. When choosing a canditate, Americans need to look at the person's intelligence and potential for the job instead of looking at their religion, gender, sexual orientation, or age. Even though I could not vote for Barack Obama when he ran for president, I still campaigned for him because of the "content of his character."
Sanford has absolutely no class!!! He is ruthless, mean-spirited, & a hypocritc......man you Repubs are showing your true colors.
What is the problem with being gay? Even Bauer's defender made it seem like being "gay" is a virus or something. So let me get this straight....Repubs don't like homosexuals, blacks, hispanics, pro-choice people, & the "poor." Interesting!!!!! Boy their party is going to be about 100 people by the time they are done offending people.
This is OUTRAGEOUS! I am a 61 year old white female who was born and raised in SC. I've lived here all my life except during my time in undergraduate school. I am so embarrassed. These clowns are doing so much damage to the image of our state. There are many of us who did not vote for these idiots. I didn't vote for any of these jerks. I have called and emailed asking for Sanford's resignation. I can't stand him! He's an egotistical a__. I want him GONE. I want DeMint GONE (another egotistical a__. He's cut out of the same bolt of cloth.) I emailed DeMint and told him I'll do everything I can to make sure he is NOT reelected next year. I want Graham gone. "The Family" of C Street bunch are spooky to say the least. I fight for equal rights for all people and have done so since I was old enough to understand what it meant. I know tons of others here who think as I do. We are disgusted!!! I love my home state of SC.
Signed by a huge Obama supporter.
Geez, Erskine Caldwell lives! "Tobacco Road" indeed. Sanford's a fine one to talk. Last time I checked, the fellow's never been accused of flying to Argentina at taxpayer expense to make "Whoopee". Give us a break and please go away.
"Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy." So if there WAS a homosexual bone in his body that boy would be a "bad boy?" Sounds like another Republican is looking to give somebody a good, sound spanking! Someone give Larry Craig a call. He'll show 'em how to do it.
Wow, when are people gone to step beyond bigtory, ignorance and hate? Being gay doesn't make you bad, just like being straight doesn't make you smart!
The real question that should be asked is why anyone should care if Bauer is in fact gay. This "smear campaign" implies that there is something wrong with being gay, when there is not! Furthermore, Knotts' remarks show just how prejudice people are even today. Being gay is a NON-ISSUE, especially when there are such serious problems to address in the country and around the world. This story rivals those that described people who "accused" Obama of being Muslim, as if that, too, should be a problem! People need to read more and open minds; this kind of ignorance is painful.
The underlying part of all this is that a man cannot be a politician and gay at the same time. So what if he might be gay...would he be a good governor is the question they should be asking.
So glad I moved to Canada where a politician's sexuality isn't even on the media radar!!
"Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
Yep, no Southern stereotyping there. Nope. No sir. Not like Southerners can't see that gay people are just that. People. Not to be equated with degenerates.
Tennessee Williams. Southerner. Believe he was gay. Truman Capote. Same thing. And on and on. But hey, why listen to reason when you can just pretend you're Foghorn Leghorn, right? I say, I say, I keep mah feathuhs numbud, for just sech an ocasheon. (Translation: I keep my feathers numbered for just such an occassion. Foghorn liked to say that. A lot). Foghorn Leghorn for South Carolina governor!
Sanford...just a good old-fashioned, classy, Republican boy!
I missed the part about how there's something wrong with being gay.
Sanford is not only despicable – he's an out-and-out ugly somebody too!
Wow...talk about back back woods South Carolina. What is this? 1950?
"not that there's anything wrong with that"
Jerry Sienfeld 1991
Hey Sanford, you live in a moral glass house you idiot....... put down that boulder.
"That boy is a good boy"....I guess if your Gay your'e not a good boy. Just another smear of the gay community by those who don't even have a full set of teeth.
A Republican involved in a smear campaign....what will they think of next !!!
Never trust a man without nostrils!
And this is SURPRISING how??????
And what if the rumors were true??? Would he not still be a "good boy"???? What a bunch of hypocrits!
So I'm wondering why being gay should be something that sinks your political career. I mean Sanford is an adulturer, and we can all plainly see why that's bad, but being gay? So what? I don't vote for someone based on their sexual likes and dislikes, I vote for them based on their policy positions. What they do in their own private bedroom is of absolutely no concern to me.
I put Sanford right up next to the impeached Gov. of
Illinois, Blagojevich.
South Carolinians: This is shocking to read in 2009! Is this how you people smear one another down there, by calling one another gay? And these are your state's leaders, not high school Beavises and Buttheads. Please assure us that this is not what it seems, that most people in your state really don't behave this way!
Bauer isn't gay... not that there's anything wrong with that.
...Because being gay means you're a bad boy? Hmm.
Wait, the guy who used taxpayer monies to go cheat on his wife with his Argentinian lover is accusing someone else of what now?
I think there's a line in the Bible that says it's better to tend the beam in one's own eye than mind the mote in the eye of one's neighbor.
Maybe Sanford should try reading his Bible rather than merely thumping it.
Obama is a Muslim
Bush is a Christian
Obama was not born in US
Bush was born in Texas
Yet Bush Lied to the American People and 4300 Troops died because Bush Lied.
I Support a Muslim and a Non-American Born.
"Ain't a gay bone in his body". "He's a good boy". I think with archaic comment's like that we should question Mr. Knott's qualification's to be holding public office. It's 2009 Mr. Knott, get a clue. As far as Mark Sanford is concerned, his action's both past and present speak volumes.
First of all, who cares if he's gay, unless he practices gay bashing and disrespects people's right to their own lives, but how sad and embarrasing for Stanford. Hasn't he already proven he's a jerk, a liar and a failure as a politican He's a pitiful little man and needs to leave office so that his state can regain its good name.
way to move the attention to something else, is this like the question: "how often do you beat your wife?"
one that there is really no answer because any answer makes the person look bad
Sanford wants the attention away from him at all costs
Describing someone who is straight as "a good boy" clearly suggests that someone who is gay cannot be "a good boy." Goodness has nothing to do with sexual orientation. I yearn for the day when no one can attempt to smear someone's reputation by suggesting they are gay because homosexuality will be seen as something as natural as having blue eyes or curly hair. Calling someone gay is no insult, although it may be inaccurate. People are what they are, and politicians, like their constituents, need to examine their own hypocrisy.
I live in SC and I hope we will have an adult that puts the interest of all people of SC before his or hers as our next governor. But as yet I don't see anyone of either party that would do this. Sad!
""Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy."
Ahh...South Carolina...Where living in the 1960's is just around the corner!!
I would sign a petition to let these bigoted clowns secede from the nation.
gotta love red states... hypocrites all...
This situation just keeps getting worse, when you thought it couldn't get any worse!
Gov. Sanford needs to resign and go "hike the Appalachian trail" on a permanent basis...
I mean this guy (Sanford) is cheating on his wife for goodness sakes and then is trying to imply that Bauer may be gay...SO WHAT?
Id rather have a gay guy than a hypocrite any day.
I guess he wants to scare SC GOP's into keeping him. This isn't new. The republican party gets in office using this stuff all the time. If they can scare you enough you will do whatever they say, no matter what!
I love to watch simple lifeforms feed on each other.
I am from South Carolina and NO this is not how most people act. We think Sandford AND Bauer are both awful choices. Gay/straight whatever...neither one of them knows how to run our state. Most of us are accepting of people – ALL people – but a small minority makes us look like idiots. So for those of you who are calling us southerners dumb...take a moment and look at your own stereotypes...do all people in NJ look like Bon Jovi? Well I certainly hope not. Most of the residents in SC wish that Sandford would just shut-up already and try and do a job so that we have jobs, affordable heathcare, etc. So no, we are not all bigots, homophobes, and "backwoods" idiots. Thanks anyway.
Why does the State of SC put up with this CREEP? They should've impeached him already......he should be longgggggggggg gone!
who care what he says about anybody else......he must've never read the BIBLE, because IF he did he wouldn't be throwing any STONES at anybody else...
Witness the Republican implosion!!!
"The difference with the Tea Party Protestors and the I Hate Anything Not Liberal Protestors is that the Tea Party ones are actually educated on the issues."
HAHAHAHAHA...craziest thing I heard all day. For crying out loud...after all the factchecking on the internet and tv and in papers, someone actually has the cajones to claim that people regurgitating 100% disproven talking points are "educated on the issues"?
Le Sigh...
why is cnn obsessed with this man ? give it a rest,,,
Well one things for sure if he is gay he will be a hit with the dems.
Why would Knotts have anything to say about Bauer's sexuality? Does Knotts have personal knowledge? Let's hope knott. Senator Knott has shown his true homophobic colors which will probably help him in South Carolina. Knotts should stay away from the Sanford-Bauer soap opera and focus on policy issues.
Why would being gay prevent him from being governor, Mr. Knotts? And he's a "good boy" because he "ain't got a homosexual bone in his body"? These guys all sound like neanderthal idiots to me.
Sound like something a pathetic loser like Sanford would do.
With all due respect, Sniffit, it is COJONES not CAJONES. Cajones are big boxes, cojones are...well, you know:)!
The state senator ,himself, made a pretty derogatory statement within his own defensive quote. By saying " That boy is a good boy", insinuates that if he were a homosexual then he wouldn't be "good". Why are people so nieve to see their own views sometimes aren't all that far from the views they are trying to discount?
How typical!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gay bashing is not a conservative value.
I am a Republican and a Christian.
I don't care what anybody else does in his or her bedroom. Gay or straight, I hope they have a good time. It's also none of my business if other persons want to get married. They should marry anybody they love.
What SC needs right now is intelligent leadership. Who cares if they are GAY, Straight, or OMG, a Woman!! A black lesbian governor may be the best thing to happen to SC now.....couldn't hurt!
Why don't they impeach Sanford? It appears he can no longer do his job. So gay people can't be governors? Give me a break! This country is becoming so ridiculous about EVERYTHING.
So, to recap and reduce this to its simplest terms:
Some GOPer thought it was a reasonable argument to publicly say "my buddy isn't gay, we're homophobes!!!"
Bravo, Surly Librarian! I agree – this amounts to little more than two (or three) snakes in a cage. The majority of folks know bigotry when they see it, and this quarrel is pretty ludicrous from the get-go. Petty minds going after petty minds.
Sanford is another political bum that needs to move on.
Seems like this needs to be sorted out. Perhaps Sarah Palin can look into this matter for the general public. Perhaps she will go on national television and tell us which Republican is lying and which is telling the truth. I do so admire her credibility. I would never have known about the DEATH PANELS in the health bill with out her pointing it out. She is so perceptive.. she sees things others don't.
Texas
Please would you just impeach this guy already let him move to Brazil.
What is wrong with these politicians! They seem to be living a mentality of the 1950's.
"Knotts, an ally of Bauer and a fierce opponent of Sanford, said there is no truth to the gay rumors that have dogged Bauer for years.
"I have known Andre since he was eight years old," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor.""
What does his sexual preference have to do with him being "a good boy" or not.... the answer nothing.
Ignorance in it's highest form. Sexual preference has nothing to do with a person having high morals or not. It has nothing to do with making a person good or bad.
I do hope that the "good" people of South Carolina step up and send all these people home.
Is this a case of the kettle calling the pot black
Men are so stupid.
I am very, very proud to have been born and raised in South Carolina. Governor Sanford has been nothing but an embarrassment to us. Not all people from South Carolina are homophobes, idiots, backwards, or any other slur you care to put in that sentence. We are good people and it is people like Gov. Sanford who continue to make us look like we are terrible people. Most of us would LOVE to see him impeached. I would also like to ask each person who has said awful things about the South or South Carolina if their state/country is perfect. The answer is no. Each state or country has its own history of hatred, so quit pretending like you are perfect because you are from another state or country. And for the record we are supposed to be the UNITED State of America. We should be united and quit insulting each other because that will get us nowhere. And no, South Carolina does not want to secede from the Union. The Civil War has been over for 145 years, so it's time to let that go.
It's revolting that CNN reports rumors that someone is gay as a "smear". I've heard Peter Hamby's back is covered with thick black hair. Is that a "smear"?
It's a sad day when being gay can be considered a discredit against an individual. We have Palin allowing, and maybe encouraging, her constituents to say " Kill him" yet she appears as innocent as the crystal snow. Another way the repugcans have the double standard and get away with it.
Well we know that Sanford is not gay.
It's a shame that "gay" is something you even have to deny. Who cares!
Gay, shmay – my question is: is he COMPETENT? And if he is gay, is he at least faithful to his significant other? Don't think our current SC governor can give him lessons on THAT one.
When dishonesty and distortion are the hallmark of politicians, we ask who among our governing representatives are trustworthy.
Whether Andre Bauer is or isn't gay is not the issue......it is no one's business. The real issue here is a pathetic example of a man, holding onto his old life by his finger nails named Mark Sanford. Hey Mark.....the fat lady is singing....turn up the volume and end this nonsense.........Your wife should have taught you to leave with grace and dignity. Have you looked in the mirror lately? You look like a bus ran you over............For your health and well being.....resign.
My "gaydar" says Knotts and Sanford may be a little "light in the loafers." Maybe we should try probing those 2 good old boys with a good homosexual bone.
what does he mean by "that boy is a good boy" Is he saying that being gay is bad?
If anyone looks gay, it's Sanford.
What a shame that a good Christian adulterer has to call others gay to put them down.
And kudos to the moron who defends the closeted gentleman - not a gay bone in his body?
Remind me again why it is a negative thing to be accused as gay? Oh, that's right, I forgot: heterosexism.
Ouch....this is getting real ugly!
Sounds like a personal agenda on the part of the state senator to me. Wow, this is what the Republican party is like?
Given that most Republican politcians are closeted homosexuals Sanford may have a point!
This guy can't shut up.
Awful lot of innuendo and smear tactics going on in SC. Never ceases to amaze me: the fundamental, conservative, Christian good 'ol boys calling the kettle black. That rumor started somewhere, and has roots. Those aren't rumors that just happen. And, anyway, who CARES? The guy says "Andre's a good boy".....what's THAT mean? Gay "boys" are "bad" boys? These people all need to get real lives. THIS is their excitement, ya think?
This rumor didn't come from Sanford....but this rumor has been around here in SC for years...and yes Mr.Knotts...Good Boys can't be gay???you are a hypocrite also.
I guess if you're a conservative White Southern politician, Gay is the new Black...
It doesn't matter If he's gay or straight. He's not the one who messed up Stanford did.So enough said good bye Stanford. NEXT!
And......................................so what if he was gay? Sanford, if you have stated this about Bauer, you need to get out of office.
It's all about distraction. If I get the right wingers up in arms over a gay person then they will leave me alone. I hope the Lt. Governor sues him for slander.
As a gay American – I just want to thank all of you for picking up on the bigoted statement from Knotts and calling him on the carper for it.
It's good to see that so many Americans have moved past judging people based on stereotypes or preconcieved notions and are instead judging them on the content of their character.
And the ones that haven't evolved – are members of a political party that is quickly becoming extinct. Good riddance.
More from the good christian, mark sanford....
Me? I'd rather have an honest gay who is comfortable with his/her sexuality than a slithery, snaky, whiny, hypocritical, philandering, lying , thieving mark snafu-rd for my governonr. Or friend. Or next door neighbor.
Come out! Come out! Wherever you are. And join the disgraced Governor who fell from a star.
Gay, straight, or bi, there's no possible way he can be as stupid as the current governor. Of course, in the South being gay is about the worst thing that a person can be. Sigh...
""I have known Andre since he was eight years old," Knotts told CNN. "Ain't a homosexual bone in his body. That boy is a good boy. It's a just an attempt to prevent Andre from become governor."
Wow... so if he were gay he wouldn't be 'good?"
Dumb statement..
This sounds like Glenn Beck segment! LOL
Isn't Sanford single now too?
What would be wrong, if he was gay?
How much more dirt will SC continue to let Sanford shove in their faces before their representatives all look like fools. Send this guy a one way first class ticket to Argentina and be done with him.
The 21st century has not yet arrived in many of the deep-fried states.
Trust me on this one, it is a BIG DEAL down here. Take it from a Yankee living in South Carolina.
They are in the dark ages down here...
Gotta love this wingnut effort to change the subject?
Thief is good.
Gay is bad
Cheater is good
Gay is bad.
Get back under your rocks!
Sanford is a fool (I'd use other words if I could) for spreading the rumor, but Knotts is possibly even worse for implying that being gay has anything to do with being "bad" (in his words, bad bones). UGH!
I feel sorry for the people of South Carolina to be saddled with this poor excuse of a man!