Yglesias Award Nominee

"If the Obama administration wants to make a statement and impress upon the world their fundamental rejection of the forces of bigotry and homophobia, how about sending a gay ambassador to Pakistan or Saudi Arabia? And now that the president has cleared the way for the same-sex partners of our foreign service officers to participate in programs available to spouses, how about sending him with his partner? That would be impressive, and would likely be as warmly received by Republicans as by Democrats," - Michael Goldfarb.

Reagan appointed a black ambassador to apartheid South Africa, as Dan Savage noted. Now that was symbolism. But I suspect Goldfarb is a little dewy-eyed about Republicans, especially the base. Condi Rice and Laura Bush might have backed it, but the current leadership - Limbaugh, Levin and Hannity? And Rove?