Republican National Committee Chair Ken Mehlman declined to discuss his sexual orientation last week after a Ohio gay paper asked if he is gay. “[You] have asked a question people shouldn’t have to answer,” Mehlman said, according to a report in the Cleveland-based Gay People’s Chronicle. The paper directed the question to Mehlman after the GOP chair delivered a speech before the Summit County, Ohio, Republican Committee’s Lincoln Day Dinner in Akron on March 19. Mehlman’s response fueled speculation that Mehlman, 38, who is unmarried, may be gay. Pundits and bloggers have since pointed out that few, if any, straight people would balk at answering a question about their sexual orientation. Because of this, some argued, Mehlman’s response to the Resnick question — coming on the heels of persistent rumors about his sexual orientation — was further evidence that the head of the GOP, and President Bush’s 2004 presidential campaign manager, might be gay. In May 2004, the Blade asked Mehlman if there were any gays among the president’s top campaign advisers. “I’m not going to comment or provide information on the private activities of campaign staff,” Mehlman said at the time. “The president is leading based on principle. His principles are reflective of his values and his values are compassionate and conservative.” Mehlman’s role in developing the Bush campaign strategy of using gay marriage as a wedge issue in the 2004 presidential election campaign makes him fair game for an outing. [more]