Fred Karger on being the "gay candidate"

Yesterday, I caught up with former GOP consultant and likely presidential candidate, Fred Karger, on his way out of D.C. and up to... New Hampshire, the early primary state where he's already run TV ads.

The focus of his potential presidential bid is to bring more attention to gay issues within the GOP.

In California, he created "Californians Against Hate", which was designed to boycott major donors of a state proposition to ban gay marriage.

He also led an effort to challenge the Mormon Church's activity in that fight (his comments about Mitt Romney in our interview reflect the struggle).

His quixotic bid hasn't exactly generated much electoral support, but the media -- including the Washington Post, CBS, and The Guardian -- has taken notice of him and highlighted his non-traditional efforts to elevate gay issues and energize young people.

Nevertheless, he runs the risk of being stereotyped into becoming "the gay candidate", which he concedes is inevitable and, essentially, of his own choosing.

We talked about his quest for the nomination, what it's like to be the "gay candidate", whether he's going to Israel soon (a must for GOP contenders) and, of course, Sarah Palin.

Q: Does it bother you to always have "gay" attached to your name? Do you feel like the media has just made you out to be "the gay candidate"?

A: I would much rather it be Fred Karger who just happens to be gay -- like someone happens to be Catholic or has blond hair. There was a story in Tallahassee about six months ago, and the gay word was not mentioned once, and I noticed because it was missing.

I understand, though, that what makes me have a seat at the table -- even though some people don't want me sitting there -- is the fact that this would be historic, if I do run.

Q: How do you think it's going so far?

A: Well, it's exceeded my wildest expectations. Just the way that the momentum has gone, I've got a lot of lucky breaks, I've been working hard, I've got a plan I've been sticking to, it's pretty much a state plan -- Iowa and New Hampshire. I'm changing some hearts and minds within the Republican party.

Q: Do you feel that you've gotten a better reception in the media than you have the Republican party?

A: [laughs] Different parts of the Republican party have treated me differently. I would say 'yes, I get treated very fairly in the media.' I think part of it is that I'm open and honest and accessible.

Q: How has your reception been in the gay community, considering it's fairly left-wing?

A: I've built up in the short 2.5 years of my activism, a lot of credibility within the gay community, because I've been pretty aggressive against the opponents of equality, but there's a lot of circles there that aren't as excited about my entry solely because of the R next to my name.

I knew this coming in -- that it was a very progressive [community], but they've been very cautious with me -- some, less than friendly.

But I'm patient.

Q: You haven't seemed to talk about foreign policy a lot.

A: That's an area where I need to do the most work on. Like a lot of Americans, I'm more focused on domestic policy issues, but I've had good meetings on that [foreign policy] specifically, and I've met with the International Republican Institute which does take people like me on foreign trips.

They just took Mitt Romney to Afghanistan, and I've asked that I be included in some of those travels.

I will be going to Israel soon, and I met with the Republican Jewish Coalition. I've been to Israel many times. I hope to do it this spring.

Q: The Iowa GOP and Fox just announced two dates for presidential debates. Are you in touch with anyone to try to get into that?

A: I've been meeting with the state party since my very first trip. I will certainly look to get into those. I'm going to be launching a website in Iowa that talks about this. Www.letfredin.com. It will be up next week.

Q: What are your thoughts on Sarah Palin?

A: I like her. I think she brings a lot of energy and excitement to the debate, and I'm hoping she'll get into the presidential campaign.

Q: Mike Huckabee?

A: To me, he seems like a bully. I still can't get over his comments of the last year when he said gay marriage was like polygamy, incest, and drug abuse, and I took him on in the Huffington Post and asked for an apology and never received one.

Q: Mitt Romney?

A: He's an interesting guy. Very successful businessman. I'm concerned about his leadership and his loyalty.

I'm a little concerned about his faith, having gone up against the Mormon Church now for 2.5 years, and I'm just concerned where his loyalty would be.

Q: What about his health care program in MA?

A: Well, that I commend him for.

I'm a strong backer of health care reform at the state level. I don't think it should be done at the federal level, and I think that the RomneyCare model for MA is the way to do it.

Q: What do you think about the individual mandate?

A: At a state level, I think it's much more practical. I don't like an individual mandate at the federal level.

Q: Grade Obama's Administration, so far.

A: I would give him a nice, solid "D". I had great expectations, I was hoping for a Ronald Reagan type of presidency with his optimism and his ability to get along with people.

But now he's being forced into this late in his administration, but I'm hopeful that grade will go up. There's only one way it can go. I've been very disappointed. He's broken promise after promise.

(Discussion edited for brevity).