Howard Dean opposes gay marriage.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Just a reminder in case anyone didn't know that, or forgot it, or managed to convince themselves to forget it.

“It makes me uncomfortable, the same as anybody else,” Dean said of gay marriage. “The 4,000-year-old tradition of heterosexual marriage being an institution is something I think you have to respect. I think there are a lot of people in this state who are uncomfortable about the concept of gay marriage.”

http://www.mountainpridemedia.org/jan2000/news_scyes.htm

[KaraokeKarlton]

1. He doesn't "oppose" it, but he wouldn't push it

He's on the record as saying that under a Dean presidency, any state that manages to pass gay marriage will get federal recognition. And there is no way in hell that he would ever sign any Defense of Marriage Act, unlike Kerry, who seems to be more than willing to sign such a bigoted piece of legislation.

The article you are citing just shows that Dean has the same kind of hangups about homosexuality that a lot of people do, but despite those hangups, he still did the right thing in Vermont by working hard to get support for Civil Unions. He even got a bunch of Republicans on board to help get Civil Unions passed. His personal hangups on the issue are totally irrelevent because when his integrity was tested, he proved himself to be willing to do the right thing, even if it meant an end to his political career. Kerry, on the other hand, is willing to sign anything if he thinks it will help him politically. :eyes:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. What you are saying is untrue.

When faced with the issue, Dean opposed gay marriage. Since then, he has not actually confronted the issue, he's pandered it. Not only that - he said it made him 'uncomfortable'. wft is that supposed to mean? Does Dean get all upset at the idea of two men or two women being married? Why?

Just what is it about gay marriage that makes Dean feel so uncomfortable? That's what I'd like to know.

[Eloriel]

6. HAD, KK, Dean HAD the same kind of hangups -- years ago

when the VT Supreme Court rendered its opinion. He's come a long way since then and readily admits it. It's called growth. What year was that, anyway -- 1997 ?

They can trot these old quotes out and pretend they're current fodder for Dean's damnation, but we can help correct the record, as you always so eloquently and knowledgeably do.

[XanaDUer]

2. And...

"At least he was honest. Gay marriage simply was not his issue. It dropped into his lap like piping hot tomato soup. He was clearly relieved the Supreme Court had offered an out -- creation of a parallel system that would grant the rights and benefits without the "marriage" title. "Civil union" was born.


http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/3867

[killbotfactory]

3. He's not proposing a constitutional amendment banning it

That's what everyone is dissappointed over.

Dean said the Mass SC decision was a step towards equality under the law. Kerry denounced the decision.

Dean said that the decision shouldn't be used to try and pass an amendment. Kerry said he might support an amendment depending on the wording.

Do you get it now?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. And Bush is proposing a constitutional amendment b. And we will beat him.

Do you get it now?

[cavebat2000]

7. You obviously dont get it and resort to smart @$$ statements

for your defence.

[killbotfactory]

8. Well I guess that excuses Kerry for lack of spine

He will not lose one goddamn vote if he just say, flatly, that a constitutional amendment banning gay marraige is wrong. Like he said a couple years ago, this is a state's rights issue. He doesn't need to back off that position with his vague, noncommittal bullshit.

[Moderator]

9. locked

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