McCain Takes $2300 Contribution from Owner of Gay Sex Site Manhunt

You may have read about Manhunt.net founders Larry Basile and Jonathan Crutchley (above right) in Michael Joseph Gross' OUT article entitled "Has Manhunt Destroyed Gay Culture?"

Crutchley's political leanings are pointed out near the beginning of the piece:

"Crutchley, a liberal Republican with a tight white beard, admits that he felt anxious during Manhunt's first years, before his and Basile's initial investment of $800,000 bore fruit. Now, seated at his desk and surrounded by giant photographs of body builders' glutes, Crutchley says the company brings in at least $2.4 million per month -- almost $30 million a year -- not counting ad revenues, and prospects for growth are strong. Manhunt's success measures the extent to which online cruising has changed gay urban social life. Is it changing gay politics too?"

Crutchley's right-leaning ways have been reported on before, in the Huffington Post, which reported on a contribution he made to the McCain campaign. Last week, Crutchley defended his contribution in the comments section of an April 2007 interview (which he apparently monitors) with Online Personals Watch:

And it appears John McCain has accepted the maximum individual campaign donation from the owner of America's largest gay sex hook-up website.

UPDATE: Crutchley steps down as Manhunt chairman at board's request.

Continue reading the article here...

Comments

[nellie]

I'm no fan of McCain, but..... so what?

[Vurz]

Well, now you know. Manhunt would rather you stayed second-class citizens if it makes them a buck. Just like I wouldn't use e-harmony because of the focus on the family connection, if I were gay, I wouldn't use Manhunt because of the McCain connection.

[firewmn]

*
welp... there goes the "Don't ask.. Don't tell" policy right out the window..!
*

[johnfoirdfw]

tap, tap, tap, tap

[Desdemondo]

A drowning man will always cat at a straw. This is one desparate "oldtimer", who will do just about anything; morally corrcet or otherwise.

[LemonFreshScent]

The thing about donations is that it comes from Americans.

And who knows where they come from.

[11907281]

I love the end "But don't call me liberal, that's an insult" , as Don king would say ... "Only in America, Only in America"

[DoomtoNeoCons]

LOL HAHAH!!!

[ndolomar]

I've worked for an adult-industry B2B magazine, and regardless how "patriotic" these types are, there's only one thing provoking them to vote Republican rather than Democratic: money. That's pretty much the only reason any person in Hollywood or the adult industry votes that way. If you're faced with the possibility of being taxed more for the millions of dollars you annually rake in for your "contribution to society," you may find yourself at least considering a conservative vote. Sure, there are the conscientious Hollywood types or rich folk, such as Warren Buffett or Oprah, who don't mind that possibility. But there's immeasurable money to be made in the gay online industry, and the guys at Manhunt (which is not alone in its Right leanings) know they and their industry are only being used as wedge issues, and, ultimately, a Republican president means they can look forward to a lot more tax cuts. To put it simply: it's greed.

[Eric8869]

That's the only reason there are gay Republicans period. They care more about their taxes than the rights of their own people. Period.

[wndrwrthg]

Is not the president supposed to represent all americans, even those with which he or she may disagree? Granted it seems as if this may not be practised lately, but perhaps this candidate is seeking to change that.

[eden4barack08]

They can't be gay. Look at that office, horrible! Where are the Fab 5 when you need them?

Oh, about the article, they're millionaires, of course they support McSame. It's money before principles. They care more for their money than they do for gay rights. No surprise there.
They know about Obama's tax hike plan for the 1% of elite millionaires. It's fair to say that, making 2 million a month would put them in that bracket. No?

[vejzagic]

"They can't be gay. Look at that office, horrible! Where are the Fab 5 when you need them?"

Ha ha I was thinking the same thing. I guess they lost the gift when they joined the repube cult.

[magen]

Ahhh, yes............

The Party of "Family Values" strikes again.

[eden4barack08]

Being gay and Republican can't be anything but an oxymoron.

[rcwblessed]

LOL... so true! It's always about the money... greed!

[reshas1]

'Hbkjb, Jkbkj', Living in the City of "Jkbjnj," Donates More Than $1k To Obama

Over at the American Thinker, Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs looks through FEC reports and spotlights some donations to Obama that raise serious questions.

She noticed $33,000 in donations from two brothers living in the Gaza Strip. (The Obama campaign says they returned the money.)

She finds a donor named "Hbkjb, jkbkj" living in the city of "Jkbjnj."
Or a donor named "Doodad", occupation "DFGFDG", employer "FDGFDGF, who has donated $10,780.00.

There are two areas where I think there may not be much there " the number of donations from foreign addresses (living in Turkey illustrated to me that there are a lot more American expats around the world than one might expect) and the number of foreign donors who write "unemployed" or "not employed" on the form under employer. Some countries have much lower costs of living, making a single-earner household an easier proposition for some families; also, the ease of getting a work visa varies from country to country.

Anyway, instead of completely botching basic facts in a story about McCain donors, the Washington Post might want to take a hard look at these documents and ask the Obama campaign just what the hell is going on.

[Chillinout]

A right-wing smear campaign. Don't you think that if this was actually true and backed up by facts, Faux News would be all over it?

Get real

[DoomtoNeoCons]

Try again. You've failed here.

[SugarMan]

That was a set up by the Republicans. The Obama camp saw it for what it was and sent the money back...
Try again

[OldKnute]

Wait,, I know,,, I know!!!!

Lets start a Website of our own!!!

Sexy Americans for Obama.

"Find a friend, be a friend, Hug a friend."

We could have a Youtube section to show off dancing/singing abilities.

Listings of likes and dislikes.

Umm?

Kittens or Puppies.
Spaghetti or Sushi.
Tacos or Roast Beef.
Mountain Climbing or the Library.
McDonalds or Vegan.
Romantic Comedies or Star Trek
Bear Feet or Slippers.
Pajamas or Skivvies.

Yeah!!!!!!

We can donate MILLIONS!!!!!!!

Go Obama GO!!!!

We could have a Rap Song,,,,

Boom,, sha daka, Boom sha daka, boom ka daka Boom, Obama.

Wooka, Wiiiika Wiiii ka,,Wooka,,, < ----- that sound DJs make scratching a record.

Don"t Wait, To Donate, Get it Straight, don"t be Late,, Gona be great,,,, in 2008!

All the best

Knute Neo-LIB