Arthur J. Finkelstein, 59, is a conservative political consultant who has built his reputation helping to defeat liberal Democrats such as former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo in 1994. He also happens to be gay; a fact widely reported in the mainstream media over the last several years.
He lives in Massachusetts and in December married his partner of 40 years 'to ensure that the couple had the same benefits available to married heterosexual couples,' according to an April 9 article in The New York Times.
'I believe that visitation rights, healthcare benefits and other human relationship contracts that are taken for granted by all married people should be available to partners,' he told the newspaper, refusing to go further or even name his partner. They are reported to have raised two children.
Now he is organizing 'Stop Her Now,' an independent advocacy group opposed to the reelection of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. The fundraising goal is believed to be $10 million.
The group is being organized as a '527' committee, named after the section of the tax code that regulates their structure. The best known of those groups have been Move On, on the left of the political spectrum, and on the right, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
That brought a quick retort from former President Bill Clinton at a news conference in New York. 'I thought, one of two things. Either this guy [ Finkelstein ] believes his party is not serious, and is totally Machiavellian in his position, or there is something sort of self-loathing there.' Clinton claimed to be 'sad for him.'
Some have suggested that given his experience with others delving into his personal life, Clinton should have learned to be more reticent in discussing such matters.
Blogger Boi From Troy wrote, 'Yes, Bill, all gay Republicans are self-loathing ... . All Irish are drunks ... . All African Americans like fried chicken and watermelon ... , All Jews are avaricious ... , And all hillbillies are ignorant.'
The former president has said, 'Gay marriage was an overwhelming factor in the defeat of John Kerry.' So it is unlikely that he will be having any pro-gay bedroom talk with the Senator. Except for when it comes to raising money.
