Meet the GOP's Gay Candidate for President

The Republicans' best-formed candidate for 2012 isn't Romney or Huckabee: It's Fred Karger, a little-known conservative and longtime GOP operative—who happens to be openly gay. Karger is pounding the pavement in Iowa and New Hampshire, reports the Guardian, and he would be the country's first homosexual candidate for president. "I am a fighter and I am trying to change the Republican Party and to open it up to everybody," said Karger. "If every gay person left the Republican Party and went to the Democrats, that would be stupid."

His campaign explicitly acknowledges Karger's unknown status—the slogan on his hats and T-shirts is "Fred Who?" But even if he doesn't win the GOP nomination, Karger thinks it is important for people to see an openly gay person make a run. "I am doing this for younger people," says Karger. "I am fine now. I am happy in my skin. But when I was growing up it was hell. I don't want anyone to go through that. That is what motivates me to make my voice heard. No more Mr. Nice Gay."

(More Fred Karger stories.)