FINALLY

After the news cycle is over and the story has disappeared, the Human Rights Campaign, the biggest gay political group in the country, almost does the right thing. But why isn’t the condemnation of such tactics from executive director Elizabeth Birch’s lips? And why the deference to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s transparent spin? Notice also how HRC doesn’t come out and say that this was a homophobic ad. That might offend their Democratic allies. Here’s the quote:

“HRC deplores any attempt to make a political issue of a candidate’s real or perceived sexual orientation,” said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg. “This type of ad has no place in politics, it is an affront to gay people and we hope we have seen the last of this campaign tactic.”

Notice the weasel word “any attempt,” leaving the possibility open that this ad was a genuine and non-homophobic one. Indeed, this press release artfully gets HRC off the hook, but never takes on the issue at hand: was this or was this not an anti-gay ad. And it provides a way for the DSCC to get its message out there. They’re smart over there. And cowardly.