March 23, 2011 4:35 PM

Openly gay Republican Fred Karger announces 2012 presidential run

By
Lauren Seifert
Topics
In The News ,
Republicans ,
Washington Unplugged ,
Campaign 2012

Barely hours after filing his intent with the FEC to run for the 2012 Republican nomination for president, Fred Karger stopped by Washington Unplugged to formally announce his decision.

Speaking with CBS News congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes Karger said, "I've filed to run for President of the United States." (watch above)

Explaining what brought him to this moment Karger said, "It was the culmination of a lifetime of political work. It was a very exciting moment."

This is the first time Karger has run for political office, but he has been a behind-the-scenes player for 35 years -- serving as an advisor to Presidents Ford, Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Karger says he's an "outsider" but has "political experience."

He is also the first openly gay presidential candidate. Cordes asked when so many of his fellow Republicans are opposed to gay rights and same-sex marriage why he would chose to run as a candidate of that same party.

"Being a gay Republicans is kind of an oxymoron," he said, "I have been a fighter in my party, I have always been on the more moderate side but I'm also a prot?g? of Lee Atwater. We need to open up this party and that's one of my reasons for running. The party should not be dominated by one faction or another. It should be open to all."

Karger also added, "I want to be a different kind of Republican. The kind of Republican I grew up with. I consider myself to be Progressive. The last Progressive Republican president was over 100 years ago; Theodore Roosevelt."

Karger also weighed in with his thoughts on his potential opponents in the GOP race, taking particular aim at Newt Gingrich.

"He's yesterday's news... and he's living in the past. I think we need some new, fresh leadership," he said.

Karger also had some choice words for President Obama when it came to his leadership skills. As he told Cordes, "The guy's been a disappointment. He's not a happy guy, he needs Zoloft. He's just not optimistic."

Karger is still a long-shot and although he's thrown his hat in the ring, many of his would-be opponents have the instant name recognition that he lacks, but he remains optimistic.

In speaking about his hopes to take part in the Republican presidential debates he said, "If I can get in one or more of these presidential debates, I will make history."

Watch Karger explain why a gay candidate can win the GOP nomination.



Watch Karger weigh in on his possible Republican opponents.



Watch Karger explain how he would handle the crisis in Libya.



Add a Comment See all 44 Comments
by WeNeedGodinUSA March 30, 2011 8:18 PM EDT
I agree with you for the most part. But we shouldn't seek any other mans approval, that is a giant part of our problem. We are a nation under God, and we should seek his approval. I do not hate gay people, but I do hate the sin of being gay that is an abomination to God, which is the reason America does not need a homosexual president. We need a strong, unapologetic, God-fearing leader in office, regardless of what party they identify with. America needs to incorporate morality back into our daily lives. Money and sexual immorality has greatly reduced the integrity of our nation and the violence is only going to get worse if we do not turn our eyes back on God. Hes the only one in control anyways.
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by noloyalisti March 26, 2011 8:15 PM EDT
Gay Republican? That is as crazy as a black Republican or a Hispanic Republican or a Republican that is a woman or someone from the Middle Class. None of those people would be that stupid to support that party for the filthy rich white male would they?
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by borikenuno March 26, 2011 9:11 PM EDT
Your comment is completely out of line and is a perfect example of the ignorance I work to get rid of in my community. I am Puerto Rican, and registered Republican. Let me remind you that it was the Republican party that ended slavery. I'm in the U.S. Army and I'm a libertarian-leaning Republican because I support fiscal conservatism and limited government. I'm middle class too! I don't know what you're on, but your comment is completely out of line.
by mlangley88 March 28, 2011 2:52 AM EDT
I guess I kind of understand each of your statements. @borikenuno - I think what he's on is a big bump of "reality." Though the Repub party may have done some good things int the past - the reputation it holds now is anti-progressive, anti-equality, anti-peace, etc. Though I feel (sadly) that our 2012 President WILL be Republican, I really hope it's someone like Karger. Someone for progression and morality. Morality being A GOOD PERSON, doing GOOD THINGS, for GOOD PEOPLE (not morality like half-quoted verses from pre-educated society).
by FreshxWater March 26, 2011 12:00 PM EDT
Anyone who could be so clueless to join a party that's goal is to kill you... doesn't get my vote. But I really don't believe he's clueless. He's an FBI undercover agent/Koch Brothers plant/GOP Party shill/A Mercenary playing the role he's ordered,
Reply to this comment
by underdogcity March 26, 2011 9:13 AM EDT
I have no personal aversions to gays, however, thinking of them as presidential candidates representing the Republican party seems a bit ludicrous. This party is becoming a circus of many individuals who use their everyday thoughts and phrases to demonstrate their strengths for political offices, but fail instead, to cover the real issues at hand or show off their abilities and experiences, which are so gravely needed to lead a great nation.
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by mlangley88 March 28, 2011 2:54 AM EDT
A "great nation" crumbling, that is. We need a hero. Someone who'll cut the bull****. Stop the war. Stop the capitalism. Stop the eco-genocide. Apologize for those who've been running our country and start from the ground up.
by phwtb March 26, 2011 8:22 AM EDT
One can forget the fact his a Republican.
One can forget the fact that he has NEVER served in office.
One can forget the fact he was, by default, part of the most disastrous administration we have ever endured.

BUT, NO ONE should forget the fact that being 'gay' is just simply not acceptable in just about every other country in the world. The last thing we need in office is another JOKE.

I'm sick and tired of having a bunch of 'melly-mouthed' idiots trying to do the job NONE of them were qualified to do. This country is falling apart and the LAST thing we need is ANOTHER President the rest of the world will have absolutely no respect for!!! We have had enough weakness in the Oval Office. This country cannot survive another JOKE in Office.

If we are to ever end the problems we have, there is no other option than to get a very strong, very intelligent leader, regardless of party affiliation, into the White House, who can not only lead through intelligence AND experience, but can lead with guts, common sense, and gumption!! One who can be received with the respect from the rest of the world, as well.

It's time to put the United States BACK in the position we should have been in all along.
Reply to this comment
by mlangley88 March 28, 2011 3:02 AM EDT
I like the idea of NOT looking like the arrogant ***holes we truly are. So let's NOT elect someone with "intelligence" unless their intelligence tells them to step off other's soil and stop blindsidingly raping other countries for their goods. And let's NOT elect someone with "guts" unless their gut says to apologize world wide for the unneeded (or wanted) destruction, pollution, and death we've caused.... I could go on, but honestly a GAY President may be a JOKE to you, but he may be the only man to think of HUMANITY like no one has before him. Give him a chance before you give him a label.
by markymark7 June 7, 2011 2:56 PM EDT
dear phwtb,

can you even name 5 countries - NOT including the U.S. ?
do you even know what a passport is?
you should check your facts before talking like you know
everything there is to know on anything.
by 4780 March 26, 2011 8:18 AM EDT
Watching human behavior is interesting.
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by ddal10 March 26, 2011 6:09 AM EDT
From what I have been told, Sarah Palin and Glen Beck may be Switch Hitters. Although Glen Beck is Mormon, I have heard Rumors that there may be a Break Away Community of Polygamist Male and Female Gay communities. No one is owning up to it yet, but the major difference between Republicans and Democrats is honesty in their sexual preferences. Republicans like to keep their Homosexuality Secret.
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by FreshxWater March 25, 2011 8:57 PM EDT
It's impossible to be Gay, Republican and honest. IMPOSSIBLE. If you are Gay and Republican than you are corrupt/a shill exploiting for power and money.

I guess you could also be a subject of mind control/brainwashing from a BlackOp project.
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by 1pheasant1 March 26, 2011 1:21 PM EDT
Not to mention how impossible it is to be heterosexual, Republican and honest!
by bobsam55 March 25, 2011 6:25 PM EDT
To be gay and Republican makes absolutley no sense. He must also be into self mutilation.
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by Lawyers-Guns-n-Money06 March 25, 2011 4:31 PM EDT
Let's see, the very first openly gay candidate for president and he's... a Republican!!!

Wonders never cease.

I know who Ralph Reed won't be voting for.
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