A national blog famous for “outing” gay Republicans has S.C. Lt. Governor Andre Bauer in its sights – claiming it has confirmed Bauer’s homosexuality.
The claim marks the second time this year that Bauer – who has vigorously protested his straightness – has been “outed.”
“I have a 100% record and I don’t screw cases up,” writes Mike Rogers, who has previously “outed” Florida Rep. Mark Foley and Idaho Sen. Larry Craig.
From Rogers’ website, BlogActive.com:
So, what is the deal with Bauer? I have confirmed and spoken to four individuals who I have no doubt are telling me the truth. These men have been hit on by Bauer, with one of them telling me it happened at least five times since Bauer’s election in 2003. To a varying degree I have met with and believe the sources. And, as you’ll recall, I have that 100% record.
This was still not enough for me to report on him. Then another call came in and I met with the source while he was visiting DC recently. “He’s gay,” the source told me.
“How do you know?” I asked.
“Because I’ve had sex with him on two separate occasions.” That too, was not enough for me to report on without confirmation from others. I was led on a path to chatting with acquaintances of the source and two former employees of Bauer who served on his staff between 2004 and 2007. They reported to me that on a total of three occasions Bauer spent hours alone with men in hotel rooms. Each of them explained that the visits were with younger men who were not on the staff of the Lt. Governor nor had any official reason to be with him. The two men each confirmed that they had not known each other and each described similar circumstances under which these interactions occurred. One of them confirmed that he was told by the Lt. Governor’s visitor he had a sexual encounter with Bauer.
Back in June of this year, Bauer was one of three S.C. Republican politicians accused of being a closeted homosexual by former Democratic Congressional candidate Linda Ketner. Also named by Ketner were U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and State Senate President Glenn McConnell. Ketner later backed off of her claim, however, and the issue dropped.
Rogers’ story was picked up nationally Monday by the gossip website Gawker.com, and was referenced locally by The Garnet Spy, which wrote a post that all but declared Bauer’s gubernatorial ambitions to be dead.
Developing …
By Get Real September 1, 2009 at 9:21 am
So Andre likes to do the poop chute boogie?? Who would have thought
By Wes Wolfe September 1, 2009 at 9:22 am
The Garnet Spy? Really? Guess crazy loves company.
By Si Rosen September 1, 2009 at 9:27 am
You’re awfully reticent about this story, Willie. And you didn’t post on it for 12 hours after it broke. Wonder why.
By adrianathetran September 1, 2009 at 9:42 am
Dear Governor Sanford,
Can’t say I’m shocked by this. Remember the guy I hooked Bauer up with in Palermo? Paco? Oh yes, Paco still speaks of him often and something called a “Dirty Sanchez.”
Oh well, I guess boys will be boys.
Of course he definitely looks straight in the picture above. Ok, maybe not.
Loving you always and aching for you,
Adriana
Follow the love story at http://www.DearGovernorSanford.com
By fitsnews September 1, 2009 at 9:58 am
Si-
You know, it must be because Sic Willie is getting paid under the table by Andre – for some serious butt lovin!
Awww yeah! You knew it!
Seriously, numbnuts. We covered the last rumor when it broke and we covered this one, too.
Waited 12 hours? “Wonder why?”
Give us a break …
-FITS
By shiya September 1, 2009 at 10:19 am
Did the Sanford team have a hand in spreading this gossip? the timing seems awfully suspicious. Will having a gay gov be more repulsive for the GOP than Sanford’s adultary?
By Mary September 1, 2009 at 10:42 am
I don’t get the big deal here…could someone please tell me? And I am being serious…I just don’t get. I can’t say that I blame him for trying to keep it secret, we are in the south (redneckville) and southerners don’t have much tolerance for gay politicians. I wish it were different but that’s the way it is.
But seriously, what is the big deal over whether or not he’s gay? Feedback on this is appreciated but if you’re going to slam me for being “too liberal” keep it to yourself and stick with the topic at hand.
By Todd September 1, 2009 at 10:52 am
Somebody block these posts about Maguire and Bauer from the State of California and New York. Letterman, Conan and the others don’t need more material about us.
By MKinVA September 1, 2009 at 10:59 am
“southerners don’t have much tolerance for gay politicians” Well, SC must have moved to the Great North because it seems to me that anyone who thinks this is a big breaking story must also think that Lindsey likes girls. And Glenn McConnell. And a number of other southern politicians.
By james conrad September 1, 2009 at 11:09 am
Is everyone really that surprised? But, I wonder what, if anything, does his sexuality have to do with his ability to perform the job to which he was elected?
But, if he is, then just come out and tell everyone. Who cares?
By question September 1, 2009 at 11:09 am
Sic,
I’m not sure I know what the issue is here. I thought libertarians weren’t supposed to care if one was gay?
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' September 1, 2009 at 11:35 am
Mary, what is there to explain? Penises are made to go in vaginas. The notion of men putting their penises in other things (men’s sphicters, for instance) naturally disturbs many people who recognize the unconventional and, arguably, unnatural use. Does this natural reaction to an unconventional or unnatural act or the person who engages in the unatural act make a person “intolerant” or a “redneck”? Only to those who believe a person should be able to engage any conduct or have any thought that appeals to the left. Those are typically the same people who claim to abhor discrimination but delight in discriminating against an entire region of the nation: the South.
I personally think it is just as natural for a gay person to have gay sex as it is natural for a straight person to be repulsed by gay sex. There will always be a tension between these opposing, natural feelings and the people who experience them. Characterizing straights who are naturally repulsed by gay sex as “intolerant” is a clever spin, but it ignores the fact that many gays are intolerant of the fact that many straight people are naturally repulsed by gay sex. One natural impulse is to be tolerated but the other is not? Who decides?
By Sean Brennan September 1, 2009 at 11:48 am
I live in Columbia, S.C. and believe whole heartidly that it should not matter if Bauer is interested in men or women in his personal life. I think it would be an improvement for S.C.’s standing nationally speaking if we had a gay Governor who at least did his job, as opposed to a straight Governor who is distracted trying to maintain a relationship with his sons & son to be ex-wife, as well as traveling in secret to Argentina to maintain a relationship with his “soul mate”…I, as a liberal Democrat in a red state, have never been a fan of Sanford, but was content to bide time until we could elect an improvement…But Sanford’s level of hypocracy & negligence to the office he was elected to fill, makes me want to see him resign. We all know he is stubborn & not will ing to do the right thing…But he is just following the lead of other Repulican members of “C-Street Family”, and ignoring what they themselves preach. Many South Carolinians don’t care for Bauer, but he has stated publicly that he would complete the term, then step aside & not run himself. Maybe he could get things moving for our state now, as opposed to having to wait another year & a half to make progress. Who, that matters, really cares if he is gay…And if that is their focus…Should they themselves matter?
By Brian September 1, 2009 at 11:50 am
Dear “question” person — Nobody here ever said there was an issue. The *news*, which is what this site reports in case you didn’t notice, is that it’s being made an issue by the friendly folks at BlogActive. Their beef being that Bauer has campaigned as a social conservative — a political subset in which being gay is “not cool” — when he is actually (supposedly) gay himself. What’s so hard to understand?
By Stimulus September 1, 2009 at 12:04 pm
that blogger says Bauer was supported by Jenny Sanford? i thought she supported someone else?
By Birdman September 1, 2009 at 12:08 pm
No facts, no names, can’t even identify a place (sorry, but hotel room does not cut it), what is it with everyone running around caring about someones sex life? Not much going on on their home front I guess. The only fact here is that he is not married, big leap to being gay.
By BothrLiars September 1, 2009 at 12:17 pm
great post Sean. Totally agree.
By 1 + 1 = 3 September 1, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Was Andre doing while AWOL in Argentina? If not, he’s better than the luv gov.
By SC Integrity September 1, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Very glad to see here that the majority could care less about the Lt. Gov’s non-impactful, non-secretly leaving the continent, non-stealing from taxpayer’s for airfare, non-lies to staff, press and constituents, non-never-ending shame to SC, non-adulterous, sexual preference.
So many Americans are feeling our pain of being plagued by Sanford’s sins of lying, stealing and outrageous adulterous escapade. So we at least have a sympathy sentiment but if this nonsense is made to seem to be an issue, we can expect both business and tourism to plummet.
By Philip Branton September 1, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Gresham……..
We see you smiling in the corner….!!!!!
Get over here …BOY !!!!
Gresham, we highly suggest you start talking about our state’s ENERGY problem…..!!!!! Stop worrying about Bauer’s backside and start covering your own scrawny LACK of ENERGY Solutions for OUR state….!!!!! Were have you been on the Santee “Coal” Two-Step..!?!?!
Gresham….how many SQUARE Miles of MARSH do we have across our state that is NOT generating or maximizing its TAX REVENUE potential…!?!?
The Farmers out WEST really do like those MONTHLY royalties from selling the POWER that they generate…!!!!
Gresham have you ever heard of ONE FARM BEING Destroyed from a WIND Turbine….!?!? ANY COWS….!?!?!
Gresham…..do you honestly think a Wind Turbine is GOING to DESTROY our Vast MArsh LAND…!?!?!
Gresham….how much South Carolina hard earned wealth is LEAVING our state due to RAILING or SHIPPING in COAL that uses foreign DIESEL……!?!?!?!
Gresham……..YOU ARE NO IDIOT…….We are not either…!!!!
Gresham….GET LOUD…GET BUSY……or get the freak LOST !!!!!!!
By Strom's Daughter September 1, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Yeah, right . . . the next thing they’ll tell us is that Lindsey Graham is gay.
By Todd September 1, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Good post, Sean. SC Integrity, I disagree with one point: tourism has got to increase. With all the public nuts we have at the very top of state government and with the national comics having a field day with SC, tourism will surely go up. Tourists world wide will want to come to this state zoo called our state government and see the insanity for themselves.
By Bonnie Blue September 1, 2009 at 1:03 pm
He was a male cheerleader for Gods sake……NOOOOO one saw it coming!
By Strom's Daughter September 1, 2009 at 1:23 pm
What is this “outed” business, anyway?
And why does it always have to appear in quotation marks, like it’s a closet or something?
Speak plain English, goddammit. Like this:
“He’d rather hear a young boy fart than hear a pretty girl sing.”
By Huh? September 1, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Don’t much care which team he bats for…… he is still a scary, creepy, individual…… with or without having a “target identification” problem!
By Cooter Brown September 1, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I rekon I reallie dont care a fig weather dst boy is a homersexual or naught. Got nuthin’ t’ do wit me or mine…
By Libb September 1, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I could care less about Little Andre’s sexual preferences. Personally, I’ve heard these rumors ever since his rise(no pun intended) to political prominence. Right along w/ rumors about Lindsey, Glenn, T Ravenel etal.
What DOES concern me is the lack of ethics(and possible illegal $$$ withdrawals) he displayed w/ the budget of the Office on Aging via Senior Shield. Also, what might be his possible connections/communications with Howard Rich and/or the C Street gang.
By Mary September 1, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Not Sayin’:
Thanks for youe inteligent response; it gave me a new point of view and since I’m not originally from here, I’m just getting caught up on everything.
Brian, your sarcastic comment really shows your inteligence (or lack thereof). Just because one does not understand, it doesn’t make them ignorant, just wanting to understand the reasons ‘why’ this is a big story (or small, depending on your point of view). If you have a look at “Not Sayin’s” response, it gives some ideas to ponder. Not being from here, it gives a point of view. Just dont bother responding if you dont like the question!
By Liberty For Me September 1, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I knew it….because he does not have that strong sense of masculinity like…Lindsey Graham
By T4 September 1, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Fits, as usual, your stories are about as fresh and cool as a handjob on a honeymoon.
I honestly thought you guys were better than this. I hope the author of this is some no-talent, glue-sniffin’ intern. Whoever it is, get rid of he/she, for your sake. Your stories are routinely questionable, but they typically don’t resort to bigotry.
By Ben September 1, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Why is the issue of him being gay so important? Because if he doesnt come out of the closet now, he will be blackmailed when(if) he becomes Governor.
obviously he knows being gay is not a plus for him politically. The older white folks who vote in SC will not support him. Why vote for someone who is living a lie pretending to be something he isn’t?
By John September 1, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Senior Shield was an abomination. He took nearly $125,000 from the old people and spent it in a way to gain political benefit. He ought to go to jail for it. But this state is so f’ed up nothing will be done.
By Red Bank Bar September 1, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Ben, you’re a Mo, as in Mo-Ron. Under your theory, Little Lindsey is being blackmailed as we type. Fill us in, Ben. You need to go back for your GED before posting agin.
By Helen September 1, 2009 at 10:56 pm
By Huh, Andre is not creepy, scary individual. Anyone can start a nasty rumor.The person or persons who said Andre is gay are creepy and scary and looking for fame and fortune. Don’t believe a word of it. Well who is next on your hit list sicko’s.
By Jeffy September 1, 2009 at 11:42 pm
What next?! BIN is a loser who lives at home? yeah right.
By Annie September 2, 2009 at 12:02 am
To my personal knowledge, Jenny Sanford has never endorsed Andre. On to the sexuality question — reporters are missing out by not asking the question properly. It’s a matter of semantics, folks. Ask it this way: “Are you a bisexual?”
By COURTNEY September 2, 2009 at 12:20 am
I agree totally with Sean’s post. A person sexuality should not have an impact on whether he or she can do his or her job well or not…Consenting adults people !!! Most homophobics are under the impression that they might personally be hit on…funny that they automatically think that they are the other person’s type !
Andre Bauer is single and entitled to a life outside of the political arena, just like the rest of us. And if these people who outed him will check their sources, I am sure that all of the people that he alledgedly “hit on” were over the age of consent as well.No different from being “hit on” by someone of the opposite sex…say “no thanks, not interested” and walk away ! How petty has our state become that all the focus is on sex…..just another example of how backwards we truly are and it only serves as increased foder for the late night comics. We deserve what we get by expressing 18th century attitudes !And for the record, I am sure that I fall into the category of an “old white person”, Ben, and I would most definitely vote for him.
By Calhounfawls September 2, 2009 at 3:45 am
Gay actvists say Lincoln was gay. He married later in life, had four children and doted on his wife Mary Todd. But, of course, the gays know best, don’t they, Will? Come on, this is bullshit of the highest degree. Five years ago Andre was an angry man who put his fist through a wall after doing a playboy bunny on his desk. Remember all the rumors about Andre and Lauren? Now, Andre is gay.
I guess Strom Thurmond will be outed next.
By Calhounfawls September 2, 2009 at 3:49 am
Damn it, Cooter, you got it.
By Cindi September 2, 2009 at 7:40 am
I heard Bauer would be wearing an interesting taffeta knee length pants suit, with scarlet pumps and a matching handbag. Set off with pearls and a Carolina broach, I understand it is a striking outfit befitting a lady of his station.
By SC Moderate September 2, 2009 at 8:54 am
For starters, after reading the Mike Rogers article, I see no convincing evidence to back up his assertions- not that it really matters. Also, Calhounfawls makes a good point… that there have also been rumors of screwing playboy bunnies on his desk. (and maybe they are both true).
At any rate, Andre was elected with such rumors floating around (along with knowledge of speeding tickets etc), as was Graham. Whereas Sanford was elected under the mantra of a perfect Boy Scout.
If people know what they are buying, its hard to argue for a refund. Likewise, the reverse is true.
Its clear to me that Sanford’s MO has become seek and destroy and stir up as much $#!% as possible. Hopefully it will not work. (And I actually think it won’t this time.) There is absolutely no coincidence in the timing of the Rogers article. So we have Governor who is not only wasting time trying not to get impeached, now he has added slumming in the trenches to his duties (notice none of his time is spend on anything productive. And so much for transparency- he can’t even have a press conference any more).
By Longshot September 2, 2009 at 9:56 am
I can see the headlines now. He will (as Gov) fly his staff on trips to Argentina or wherever and in the name of fiscal conservatism and to follow state law require staff to double up in hotel rooms and to set an example he will double with his staff type or advisor and we will be paying yet again for another MS style vacation. Yeah this will be just great.
By Pat Hendrix September 2, 2009 at 10:14 am
Andre gay?
And in other news, dog bites man. Yeah, what a shocker. Next thing you know, somebody might start a whisper campaign about Lindsay “You go girl” Graham.
Really, what’s with you homophobes electing all these closeted gay dudes? Not that I care, but you have to admit it is bi-curious, er, I mean curious.
By Barney Fife September 2, 2009 at 11:04 am
Ok. Here is something funny. If you go to Blogactive.com and read the newest story about Andre’, you will find Henry McMaster for Governor being advertised. Right down the right side! This is a big slap to Andre’. Henry McMaster is the biggest piece of slime that I have ever seen.
It makes you wonder if Henry didn’t turn over all this evidence to this blog.
Bizzare.
By Stop Pimpin Our Wetlands September 2, 2009 at 11:52 am
We’ve seen historically that the McMaster men are huge, self-promoting old tools who love to persecute those behind the 8 ball, like those thieving bastards who get behind on their student loan payments.(Doesn’t education spread democracy? Can’t have that here in entitlement land.) We know Andre the Boy is an f-up with Walter Mittyesque or Jethro Bodine double naught spy delusions of grandeur. Who cares if he’s gay? He’s not living in the land of the real and the Upstate has his number now. Come on Fits, just one more for the people: follow the McShane of DNR fame and other monied friends of both Sanfords/sales of SC lands held in public trust link.You know they are! These people are certain they are untouchable and above the law. Just a little digging and you’re there!
By SCQuestionBox September 2, 2009 at 1:32 pm
This is not “New” News. when the announcement came last week that andre has a “big announcement” to make at 3 (asking for sanford to resign), people in my office all thought he was FINALLY coming out of the closet. this is not anyone planting a rumor about andre. it is him getting more exposure so now more people will be talking and the facts will follow. it doesnt matter if you are gay, bi or a cheater – do your job and no one will care. the fact is andre is immature and irresponsible.
By SCQuestionBox September 2, 2009 at 1:35 pm
and jenny did not endorse andre – she endorsed the other guy. and what is going on at our state house – andre doing bunnies on his desk? the education broad flashing her panties and writing porn? i have worked in some rough places but come on!
By nauseous September 2, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Just go ahead and spend the money for a large fence around the entire state. I’m sure the rest of the country won’t mind. This is all disgusting and part of the reason SC is the armpit of the US. Some good people come out of this state, but god knows our political system is shot.
By Todd September 2, 2009 at 3:07 pm
SCQuestionBox: And all the while, Jakie Knotts and Robert Ford are sitting together on a bench in the lobby eating chayter chips, twinkies, free cookies, bar-be-que sandwiches and boiled peanuts laughing their asses off. An occational burp interupts their people watching.
By sid September 2, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I don’t understand. The Rogers story relies on reports from two people who claimed to be on Andre’s staff for a period that could have been as long as a few years (ouch!). They report three occasions where young men who were not on his staff were present in his hotel room. If they were not on his staff, then nothing gay happened, right? But the two making the allegations have outed themselves for admitting to being on his staff. But then one claims one of the young men said he had a “sexual encounter.” Does that mean Andre was catching, not pitching, since he says the guy was not on Andre’s staff? And are the guys reporting just jealous, because they had to catch? So confusing.