It is NOT OK for the head of the Dem party to misrepresent the platform.

[crispini]

Here is the Dean quote that is causing the kerffufle:

He added, “The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's what it says. I think where we may take exception with some religious leaders is that we believe in inclusion, that everybody deserves to live with dignity and respect, and that equal rights under the law are important.

Here is the relevant part of the platform:

We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families. In our country, marriage has been definited at the state level for 200 years, and we believe it should continue to be defined there. We repudiate President Bush's divisive effort to politicize the Constitution by pursuing a Federal Marriage Amendment." Our goal is to bring Americans together, not drive them apart.

Dean should be careful and distinguish HIS opinions from the official opinions of the party. And the platform DOES NOT SAY that marriage is between a man and a woman.

The platform is painstakingly hammered out throughout the long convention process, and it is what the Democratic party officially stands for. If you have ever served on a platform and resolutions committee (I have) you will understand that the platform is a true labor of love, and that the platform is represents a consensus of literally thousands of people, and that the platform is what represents ALL of us Democrats.

I don't care WHAT issue we are talking about. Gay marriage, NAFTA, the war in Iraq, whatever the hell issue it is, it is NOT OK for Dean to misrepresent the contents of the platform.

[last1standing]

1. Okay, Dean owes us all an apology.

And he needs to refocus his efforts on a core demographic that is feeling very neglected at this point, but after that, can we stop pillorying him?

[crispini]

3. LOL, fine by me.

As usual, lots of drama on DU, but I can understand where everyone is coming from.

[last1standing]

5. I'm as angry as just about anyone and probably more disappointed than most

I'm a Dean supporter from the beginning and I understand what he was trying to say. While I don't agree with making a distinction between gays and straights on the issue of civil unions or marriage, I still think he's closer to what I believe on the issue than most other Dems (or at least he has a record of putting his money where his mouth is unlike most others). I'm pissed that he went on 700 club and made a false statement about our platform, but I also think it was an honest mistake. Unfortunately, his comments that came after - about believing in equal rights and responsibilities for gays - has been conveniently overlooked by too many here.

In the end, Dean is on the side of equal rights for everyone - including gays. He just doesn't understand that the difference between civil unions and marriage is the same as separate but equal. He'll come around, but it'll take time, just like so many others.

[populistdriven]

2. He made a mistake but he has a million problems to deal with right now

I can't even imagine what his agenda must like right now 6 months out, can you?

[crispini]

4. I have a full time job,

work on two campaigns, and am a precinct chair. We're all busy, sugar, but the head of the party needs to watch what he says on national TV is all.

[LittleClarkie]

6. Or maybe he just made an oopsie

How about a "misspoke" instead of a "misrepresented"

Can we cut him that much slack at least?

We're all allowed to misspeak once in a blue moon, ain't we?

[Old and In the Way]

7. 20 lashes with a wet noodle.

And a promise not to say the wrong set of words, in that order, again.