Does anyone think for a moment that a Senator who objected to an "uppity negro" being appointed to a government position - even 15 years ago - would be considered for the post of Defense Secretary today ?
How about an "openly aggressive gay" ?
And let's be clear - that same person who objected to "openly, aggressively gay" Ambassador Hormel has, in the intervening years, supported an anti-gay Constitutional amendment, opposed the repeal of DADT, and in general continued his public career of bigotry in every way until the very month when it appeared he might be nominated to Sec of Defense.
Then he issued an half assed "apology" for being "insensitive" and falsely claiming that his remarks didn't "reflect my views or the totality of my public record", When in fact they DID reflect the totality of his public record until that moment.
The answer to my question is No - he wouldn't.
And the fact that he is being seriously considered, and that all is forgiven, is a reflection not upon him but upon President Obama, the Democrats, and American society in general.
Because the one bigotry that it is still OK - or "understandable" - or "ancient history" to hold in the US is being prejudiced against LGBT people.
And the only way to change that is to STOP tolerating it.
May this nomination go down in flames.