NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Democratic Party on Friday disavowed the winner of its primary for U.S. Senate because they claim the candidate is a member of an anti-gay hate group.
Mark Clayton, a Nashville-area Democrat, “is associated with a known hate group in Washington, D.C., and the Tennessee Democratic Party disavows his candidacy, will not do anything to promote or support him in any way, and urges Democrats to write-in a candidate of their choice in November,” the party said, in a statement.
Mark Clayton
Clayton is vice president of the group “Public Advocate of the United States” — Public Advocate has been labeled an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
An anti-gay-marriage activist and flooring installer with a penchant for fringe conspiracy theories, Clayton believes the federal government is secretly building a massive, superhighway from Mexico City to Toronto as part of a plot to establish a new North American Union that will bring an end to America as we know it, reported Mother Jones:
On his issues page, Clayton sounds more like a member of the John Birch Society than a rank-and-file Democrat. He says he’s against national ID cards, the North American Union, and the “NAFTA superhighway,” a nonexistent proposal that’s become a rallying cry in the far-right fever swamps.
Elsewhere, he warns of an encroaching “godless new world order” and suggests that Americans who speak out against government policies could some day be placed in “a bone-crushing prison camp similar to the one Alexander Solzhenitsyn was sent or to one of FEMA’s prison camps.” (There are no FEMA prison camps.)
In April 2008, Clayton issued a press release accusing Google of censoring his campaign website on behalf the Chinese government
According to a party statement, Clayton only won the primary because “Democrats in Tennessee knew nothing about any of the candidates in the race, so they voted for the person at the top of the ticket.”
“The only time that Clayton has voted in a Democratic primary was when he was voting for himself,” according to the statement.
The state Democratic Party said it will not back Clayton nor allow him to use any of the party’s resources in the general election.
At a news conference on Saturday, Clayton defended his relationship with “Public Advocate,” and said the group focuses on pushing pro-life legislation, defending marriage between a man and a woman and even advocating for the Boy Scouts of America.
Public Advocate, you may recall, has come under fire recently for hijacking an engagement photo of a gay couple from their wedding blog, and altering the photo to include anti-gay propaganda to attack a Colorado state senator who supported civil union legislation.
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You really do need a Score Card anymore!!
Get the word out – the Dem Party has rejected him and is telling Dems NOT to Vote for him.
Jeez Louise!!! Come on people-GET IT TOGETHER!!! I come from an extremely red state, and I’m as blue as they come! Why do people choose to be spoonfed lies, hate, and biggotry?! Blows my mind:/
I Agree Mandy Bell Eigsti !!
Tennessee is repulsive.
Why is this man running for public office instead of locked in a rubber room? “Clayton believes the federal government is secretly building a massive, superhighway from Mexico City to Toronto as part of a plot to establish a new North American Union that will bring an end to America as we know it, reported Mother Jones [magazine].”
Newman, that’s what the article is partly about.
Tennessee is a fine state.
This guy is repulsive!
It certainly is repulsive to take a whole group of people, lump them together, and denigrate them. Like Mr. Clayton, for example. Can anyone think of any others?
With the internet at virtually the vast majority of Americans, you would think people would/could/should do just a little homework before going to the polls…???? Who is really to blame here…the guy who got in, or the ignorant people who let him get in…??? Then again, maybe they wanted him in…in which case its even worse than imagined.
I would like a list of all the democrats who have any link to any anti hate groups that are on the ballot in November before we all vote lets be educated on these politicians.
… THANK-you-DEMS!!!
This is a bunch of bull. The LGBT community uses scare tactics to promote fear in your community and hide the fact that people can have different opions for lifestyles. I support people’s rights to choose your life, so why can’t I have the right to choose my faith and beliefs?
My gaydar goes haywire when I look at his pic… another hypocrite?
You need to work on your grammar.. The article reads “Member of an Anti Gay Hate Group” – which implies he’s against gay hate groups
Don’t vote for him!!!
The Tennessee Political System Is Riddled with Assholes!!!! Every story that hits the Media about our local politicians only serve to make the entire state a laughing stock.
Doug Rogers: Actually it is well Documented. Actively fighting against others Lives is far from “just having an opinion”.
I’m shocked. :-|
“godless new world order”… I like the sound of that.
Glad we didn’t move back there! Terrible!
Doug Rogers, faith and beliefs are a choice, being part of the LGBT community is not!
I don’t support your community, but I’m trying to be open and learn. I do support civil rights for all people and religious rights for all.
what a fkg idiot too bad he claims to be Demo!
Sounds more like a tea party candidate to me!
Crazy knows no party lines. And Doug, yeah there are some crazy LGBT folks. Crazy knows no gender either
A wolf in sheep clothes.
People who are dumb & lazy enough to pull the lever for the guy at the top of the list get what they deserve. The voters are the idiots here.
Politicians win when voters are ignorant.
must begin to take back our country and bring civil liberty back for all–love sells better than hate –
And the Tenn. Dem Party promptly disowned him.
Awesome who knows 30 years ago no one woulda thought we would have an Afro-American President we might either have a women or a Homosexuall no to far off.
…….the federal government is secretly building a massive, superhighway from Mexico City to Toronto as part of a plot to establish a new North American Union that will bring an end to America as we know it….seriously? freakazoids report to the dance floor
Nathan, that could be read in one of two ways. It’s all in perception and they way you choose to read it.
Had you read the article, it specifically says anti-gay hate group. If the entire Democratic party is disavowing him, then they don’t support him for his hateful, biggoted ways and beliefs.
And he looks like another closet case to me. . .
not a very stealthy infiltrator .
Hmm
He has the right to be there in that position, but obviously we don’t agree with his views. Nough said, and think before you type people.