Do you think that many candidates falsify their position on gay marriage?

[Mass_Liberal]

All the candidates besides Kucinich and Sharpton say that they are against Gay Marriage. But they state that opinion with reluctance. I think that they all really, at the bottom of their hearts, believe in gay marriage, not just civil unions. They just don't think it's politically feasible.


Personal Note: I find myself feeling a bit guilty about the fact that we as dems are probably going to sacrifice gay rights as an important issue in order to win elections (specfically the general election).

Question to all of you: At what point is our platform unchangeable? To what degree can we change/adapt our positions to fit the populous?


Thanks in advance for your intelligent comments.

[Mass_Liberal]

1. kick

thoughts anyone?

[Paulie]

2. Yeah, the "Except for Dennis"

He's AGAIN on the correct side of this issue.

Dennis, do you support gay marriage? Answer: YES. (period, no equivocation, no waffling, no drama)

[Mass_Liberal]

3. I wasn't sure

where his stance was.

[Mass_Liberal]

4. There

I changed it. Didn't mean to disrespect DK, of course.

[Paulie]

5. None taken! :) Here's the link to Dennis for the LGBT community

http://www.kucinich.us/lgbt/index.php

[Mass_Liberal]

thanks

yup, he's a pure soul all right. :-)

[Paulie]

8. Here's a link to a SFgate article back on December 17th

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/12/17/MNGV03P1GH1.DTL

I love the first two para-quote:

Pointedly criticizing the major Democratic presidential candidate for failing to support same-sex marriage, Rep. Dennis Kucinich said Tuesday in San Francisco that the matter is a "fundamental civil rights issue ... that shouldn't even be a close question.''

"I can't, for the life of me, understand why I'm the only one who's taking this position with such emphasis,'' Kucinich said following a speech and question-and-answer session at the Palace Hotel sponsored by the Bar Association of San Francisco. "We have to be courageous in protecting people's rights ... and I don't think people should expect any less from a president.''

My wife and I agree with Dennis (even though she voted for * eek!)

[tishaLA]

6. Sharpton also endorses gay marriage

I think you are right about them operatin gout of political feasability rather than conviction. I also wouldn't be surprized if some were MORE conservative on the question than their public positions indicate.

[Mass_Liberal]

7. changed that as well

hmmm I'm making a lot of mistakes tonight. ;-) . Must be because I'm exhausted.

[iamjoy]

9. Gay Marriage

It is a very touch issue, and politically unpopular and IMHO that is why so many Democrats pussy foot around on it. Maybe that is sad and a sign of weakness, but would every homosexual in this country vote Democratic if the candidate were to come out strongly in favor of gay marriage? No. They'd only lose votes.

So, let's be practical here and think about the Supreme Court. This Massachusetts case will likely go to the Supreme Court. If we have a vacancy between now and then, who do pro-Gay Rights people want appointing that replacement?

John Edwards says "why should Massachusetts decide for North Carolina?" - annoys the crap out of me - because Article IV of the Constitution says so. Remember his constituency. But what kind of justice would "President Edwards" appoint? Likely one who would stand up for Article IV.

Governor Dean had the courage to grant civil unions in Vermont while admitting gay marriage made him uncomfortable, Kerry feels much the same way. This may just be a personal, instinctive feeling, an intuition on their part that marriage is supposed to be a man and a woman. Perhaps a part of them knows that is illogical. Maybe they are trying to reconcile their internal conflict.

Call it weak or call it pragmatic - Better for the candidates to stay under the radar on this issue.

[Mass_Liberal]

10. smart post

it's a very complicated issue. Because from a pragmatic point of view, it's stupid to support.

The problem is, from an ideological point of view, its essential. We're talking about equal rights for all here, one of the most important pillars of our constitution (all be it a post-founding fathers one). It may not gain votes, but it is an important issue to take on.

At least for me, if I didn't support gay marriage, I don't think I'd respect myself anymore.

[lcooksey]

11. Clark's stand on same-sex marriage

In his interview in The Advocate, http://www.advocate.com/html/stories/907/907_clark.asp, Clark said:

Q: But about 40% of U.S. marriages every year happen without any religious participation.
A: I support whatever the state says. If the state of Massachusetts says we're going to form a civil union but we're going to call it marriage, then as far as I'm concerned, that's marriage.

Q: So you support Massachusetts's calling it marriage?
A: Yeah, absolutely.

It is interesting to note that, the last time I looked, this is not reflected on the GLBT issues page of his campaign website.