Gay marriage issue trips up senator Edwards

[maddezmom]

By Raja Mishra, Globe Staff, 2/26/2004

CLAREMONT, Calif. -- Senator John Edwards of North Carolina yesterday flew into this massive state where he trails badly in polls to deliver an impassioned speech on poverty alleviation, only to find himself ensnared in the heated moral debate over gay marriage.


Speaking to reporters yesterday afternoon, Edwards explained that he personally opposes gay marriage but supports civil unions, and believes each state should set its own marriage policy.

When asked why civil unions could not simply be called marriages, Edwards said, "My answer is the same."

Asked why states, not the federal government, should decide policy, he replied, "Because it's something I think should be decided by the states."

~snip~
more: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/02/26/gay_marriage_issue_trips_up_senator/

[bowens43]

1. Tripped up?

I don't see it. He's been consistent.

[maddezmom]

2. gotta better title, I'll edit

just copied and pasted from the article.

[emulatorloo]

3. Bush amend is many things, and one of them is a Dem Trap

Bush amendment is low politics on so many levels. anti-gay pandering to religious right, etc etc etc. It is also a trap set for dems to distract from Bush record. I really feel for Kerry and Edwards as they deal with this. I was proud of Kerry when he pointed out what a poor political ploy this is on Bush's part.

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. Your subject line is misleading.

No one 'tripped him up', and his position is identical to Kerry's.

NEXT!

[Adelante]

5. It's the title and subject of the article

"Immediately after the speech, reporters peppered Edwards with gay marriage questions, and the candidate grew testy.

The gay marriage issue has been tricky for Edwards. Often he seeks to change the subject."

[Cuban_Liberal]

7. It's also misleading. n/t

[Adelante]

9. maddezmom reports

you decide ;)

[flpoljunkie]

6. Mishra also failed to report Edward's earlier response to gay marriage--

before he cut off the questioning-- "I just don't think it is right." Definitely not what a Democratic candidate for president ought to be saying.

Mishra didn't report this obvious slip. Am sure he would like to take it back. He may well have to do so. Perhaps only us cable news junkies noticed.

[Cuban_Liberal]

8. How is that so vastly different than what Kerry says?

Kerry says he 'believes marriage is between a man and a woman'. I don't see any substantive difference; do you?

[flpoljunkie]

10. If you cannot see that it is is unwise to make statements such as Edwards

made, then what is there to say to you.

[Cuban_Liberal]

11. 'Unwise' is a matter of opinion.

I have mine, and you have yours.

[tobius]

12. why does Edwards oppose gay marriage?

why "equal rights", but not marriage?