(Image Source: The Washington Post )

 

BY MICHAEL COLLINS

 

He was only in place for two weeks — but Mitt Romney’s openly gay, and now former,  foreign policy spokesperson Richard Grenell has stepped down following criticism over his sexuality and appointment within the campaign. 

 

Grenell had previously served as U.N. Director of Communications — and cited “personal issues” as the reason for his resignation. But WWMT reports — he was a controversial pick for the Romney camp from the start.

 

“...after he was named to Romney team, and then deleted some 800 tweets, critical of First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Newt Gingrich's wife, Callista.”

 

As an openly gay spokesperson — Grenell’s appointment raised eyebrows among some social conservatives. A writer for Al Jazeera believes this has seriously damaged Romney’s public image.

 

“The departure underscores some of the challenges the Romney campaign faces as it tries to broaden its appeal to more moderate voters without alienating the social conservatives who make up the party's base.”

 

Although some view it as a hit for the presumptive GOP nominee, the Editor-at-Large of The Huffington Post’s Gay Voice doesn’t think this is bad news for the gay community.

 

“I don't buy the argument made by some that it was a measure of progress, that Romney hired a gay man as his foreign policy spokesperson when he's using that gay man to make himself appear moderate to independents, while promising the GOP base that he'll make gay people into second-class citizens.” 

 

But speaking to CNN, a Republican strategist says Grenell’s sexuality had nothing to do with his departure. In fact — the Romney campaign said as much. 

 

“He does have immense experience and is a valued spokesperson in the republican party. Let's look at it this way. We hope to get to a country where we don't have to talk about whether someone is gay or not gay, straight or transgender when they stay or leave a job. We hope to talk about things on the merits. Why he left is up to him. It was a personal decision.”

 

Although Grenell released a statement on Tuesday, he has since declined any further comments. In a statement to reporters Romney’s campaign manager Matt Rhoades called the resignation “disappointing” — and said the campaign had wanted him to stay.