Former gay GOP presidential candidate seeks media attention, doesn't answer phone or email request

​Update: ​Karger got back to us about an hour after this published. He was apologetic for not being more available and here at TheBlaze we believe in redemption. We're working on scheduling a phone interview with him.

Fred Karger, a retired Republican political consultant who also ran for president in 2012, is doing (or at least is trying to do) what many former politicos do-- get a media gig offering his opinions.

"I think there is a need for a moderate and very bipartisan Republican voice in the discussions taking place on news shows today," Karger says in a press release sent out Monday (his emphasis). "I recently relocated to New York so that I can be readily available to work here or in Washington, DC."

Included in the release are links to his website about himself and a video reel of his past TV interviews and media hits. One of which is from an appearance on America's Talking, a late 1990s CNBC cable channel spinoff run by Roger Ailes, now CEO of Fox News.

"I would love an opportunity to talk further," Karger's release concludes, "and hope that we could meet to discuss any ideas or opportunities that you may have."

Funny he should say that...

Given that Karger was once "a GOP regular" (his words) on Ailes's former channel, it's possible he may have reached out to Ailes or Fox News for a contributor-type role with that news outet. TheBlaze emailed him to find out. Two hours later, no answer. We also called the office and cell numbers provided on the release. Answering machines. We also searched CNN, MSNBC and Fox to see if was in the middle of a guest appearance. Maybe his press release led to some bookings. Nope, no Fred.

Karger is suddenly so elusive after making himself so available. Maybe we'll try again tomorrow.

@eScarry