Hypocrites R' Us: The Republican Superstore

Arthur J. Finkelstein, a prominent Republican consultant who has orchestrated many political campaigns to elect conservatives in the United States, was recently wed to his male partner of over 40 years.

Finkelstein, who makes it a standard practice to defeat Democrats by demonizing them as liberal, said that he and his partner simply wanted the same benefits available to married heterosexual couples.

He has been allied over the years with Republicans who have fiercely opposed gay rights measures, including former Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina, and has been the subject of attacks by gay rights activists who have accused him of hypocrisy.

Finkelstein is also viewed as the Republican operative most responsible for Helms' rise to power.

As all married people should, I admire the fact that Mr. Finklestein has been with his partner for over 40 years. I hope I get to be with my wonderful wife for that long.

But the rank hypocrisy of Mr. Finklestein and his party is what continues to drive me nuts. To be a Republican operative and to fight so hard against the interests of the gay community is self-loathing and hypocrisy at their worst.

Fortunately, Arthur J. Finkelstein has chosen a political party in which he will always feel right at home.