http://twitter.com/#!/jamespfitz/status/288391949046665217

It wasn’t until May 2012, well into the fourth year of his first term, that President Obama “evolved” on the issue of gay marriage. Now, in January 2013, the media’s stance on homophobia seems to be evolving. Many noted that Obama’s election-year evolution was handily timed to shore up his base, and the media’s new outlook, coincidentally, comes just in time to benefit Obama’s nomination of Chuck Hagel to be the next Secretary of Defense.

https://twitter.com/markknoller/status/288326667863199745

Conservatives have been vocal about their opposition to the Hagel nomination, even launching a #BlockHagel hashtag to spread the word that Hagel will likely be soft on Iran and no friend to Israel. The Log Cabin Republicans, though, have taken out a full-page ad in today’s Washington Post questioning Hagel’s record on gay rights. We all know that liberals fancy themselves champions of minorities, but gay Republicans? They’re a minority of a minority, so who cares what they think?

https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/287595161377202177

https://twitter.com/j_strong/status/288316707699818497

https://twitter.com/daveweigel/status/288125247851491328

See, they’re obscure. Pay no attention. Plus, Hagel’s opposition to President Clinton’s “openly, aggressively gay” ambassador pick was a long time ago.

https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedAndrew/status/288355696884457472

https://twitter.com/NYmoderate/status/288408132747681792

Also, the Washington editor for The Atlantic has written a personal testimonial asserting that Hagel is a “staunch defender of gay rights.” Apparently, it’s required reading.

https://twitter.com/NickKristof/status/288065034473586689

https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/288062428271484928

Are we going to let ourselves be distracted from conservatives, the real hate-mongers?

https://twitter.com/janus303/status/288392323296018432

https://twitter.com/joelpollak/status/288359192803307520

Bingo.

https://twitter.com/buberzionist/status/288396172933079041

Yeah, it looks like you’re not going to see that, either. Former Rep. Barney Frank has reportedly “dialed back” his criticism of Hagel.

https://twitter.com/libertarianeco1/status/288412955085770752

https://twitter.com/MiaFarrow/status/288317894545252352

https://twitter.com/carolynryan/status/288328689324797953

Shocking, we know. Hagel does face a fight over his confirmation, but if there’s one thing to keep in mind, it’s that conservatives opposing him are the anti-gay ones.

https://twitter.com/ananavarro/status/287227213869371392

https://twitter.com/flyoverangel/status/288064542766936064

https://twitter.com/noah_c_rothman/status/288405048906641408

Wait, Chris Matthews is confused? Where’s the BREAKING! tag?

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/01/07/as-log-cabin-republicans-oppose-chuck-hagel-nomination-media-evolves-on-what-constitutes-homophobia/