(Caroline) Kennedy comes out for gay marriage

[Stephanie]

Source: Politico

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16769.html

Kennedy comes out for gay marriage

Caroline Kennedy is finally sharing some of her political opinions with the people she's campaigning to represent — casting herself in the liberal tradition of uncle Ted Kennedy, bucking Barack Obama by supporting same-sex marriage and disavowing Hillary Clinton's 2002 vote for the Iraq invasion.

A Kennedy spokesman drafted seven written answers to the eight questions submitted by Politico to the 51-year-old attorney, author and electoral novice.

***

QUESTION 2: Same-sex marriage. Do you support the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry? Do you think it's appropriate that Rick Warren, who campaigned to ban gay marriage, is delivering the invocation at Obama's inauguration? If not, have you expressed that to the president-elect?

ANSWER: "Caroline supports full equality and marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples."

***

QUESTION 5: Did you support or oppose the war at the time of the Oct. 2002 resolution authorizing the use of force? Is there any way to document your stance? Did you say anything public, or participate in any anti-war demonstrations? And, do you now think that 16 months is a reasonable timeline for getting American combat troops out of Iraq?

ANSWER: "Caroline opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning. She supports President-Elect Obama's plan to work with our military leaders to begin a responsible withdrawal."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16769.html

---

How refreshing - a direct, straightforward answer to a simple question. Go Caroline!

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. This will help. But.....

... is she on record anytime before Dec. 2008 for:

1. supporting marriage equality?

2. opposing the Iraq war?

Hope so. Otherwise.... it really doesn't mean much.

[davidinalameda]

3. who cares

as long as she's on record now

[Smarmie Doofus]

10. I may have to decide whether or not to vote for her.

Desperate political posturing aimed at landing a senate seat is not the same thing as wisdom and sound judgment.

Would be nice if she had some kind of track record on these things.

[polmaven]

14. You won't have to make any decisions

about voting for her for another 2 years. If she is the person appointed, she will most likely HAVE a "track record" by then for you to use in your decisions.

[makinguphumans]

15. I think Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg should continue

with her listening tour for a year--get to know what NY needs and than actually put her hat into a campaign.

[Stephanie]

19. Two questions

1) Are you a New Yorker?

2) Who would you prefer that Patterson appoint?

[makinguphumans]

27. Yes, I

am an upstater---but only for last few years. Hillary has brought in some jobs up here but need lots more.

I prefer Eliz.Holtzman

Video here of her testifying before Congress earlier this year on impeaching Bush/Cheney:

http://twentyfour01.com/nyco/2008/12/11/elizabeth-holtz...

[Bluenorthwest]

20. Caroline did not take a hyphen when she married

and to use it is incorrect, to avoid a characterization.

[makinguphumans]

28. She uses the Hyphen on the books she has published. So

which is it?
I think the media is just recreating the Kennedy dynasty with the use of only Kennedy as her last name.
Perhaps she has changed it to only Kennedy?

[Baby Snooks]

30. She uses Kennedy

http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK+Library+and+Museum/Kenned...

This is her bio from the library website. She clearly prefers to be referred to as Caroline Kennedy. And as Ms. Kennedy. Not sure about the books. I do know most columnists in New York refer to them as Caroline Kennedy and Ed or Edwin Schlossberg.

Her mother used social propriety as the standard and was referred to always as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was a widow and so she was Mrs. Onassis and that is how most who worked with her addressed her. Using the same social propriety Caroline Kennedy should be Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Without a hyphen. She obviously does not prefer that. It is of course her choice. Her mother probably could have insisted on being referred to simply as Jacqueline Kennedy. And chose not to. Caroline is not her mother's daughter. She is clearly her father's daughter.

I think there are going to be problems if she is appointed. She has literally come out of nowhere with just the name.

[TheWraith]

56. She never changed it FROM Kennedy.

Though she may have used Schlossberg at some points, legally her name has never been anything other than Caroline Kennedy.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

73. ah, them fact thingies again.

hate when they pop up.

[Time for change]

39. I don't believe that coming out for gay marriage would be considered political posturing

If it was, a lot more politicians would do it.

[Smarmie Doofus]

45. It's standard fare in NY. They pretty much all take this position.

It's good politics in primary season. Then come the ifs, whens and buts. See Bloomberg, M. and Paterson, D.

[Stephanie]

46. Except that Hillary never did.

n/t

[Smarmie Doofus]

58. This is true. She didn't need to. The state party engineered...

... her original nomination without a primary fight. As her eye from the get-go was on a future national run, she wanted to avoid the messy business of trying to say in 2008 that she was against 'gay marriage' when she had gone on record as supporting it to win a DEM senate primary fight in 2000.

You have to respect Clinton in one sense: she is the complete political animal.

[Stephanie]

62. She never felt she had to actually represent New Yorkers

Whereas I think Caroline will do exactly that.

[jhrobbins]

47. I'm sure her opinion on Iraq will garner her some votes, but her position

on gay marriage cannot be playing to the masses because that just doesn't play with the masses. I just don't think it is a political chess move.

If I had read further I would have seen that Time For Change said it for me.

[Smarmie Doofus]

59. It plays well with DEM primary voters, who are more liberal ( and a higher percentage of whom

are GLBT) than the general electorate.

The trick is seeming to back GLBTs in the primary and seeming NOT back them in the general. It's a fine art.

[lligrd]

8. What? You Don't Care If People Learn Something And

change their mind? What is the point then?

[Smarmie Doofus]

11. Depends on what she's learned and when she learned it.

And... *why* she learned it.

[JerseygirlCT]

32. Oh I disagree

I'm happy whenever someone publicly supports gay marriage. I'd like to hear our new president change his position and say the same, for instance. I wouldn't knock him for coming late to it - just glad to have him or anyone seeing the light.

[Smarmie Doofus]

44. This is a game pols in NY play.

Bloomberg said he was for marriage equality... then ordered city lawyers to argue against it in court.

Paterson said he was for it... then said he wasn't for it just now; maybe in a couple of years. It's a good issue politically in the *primaries*; becomes burdensome in the general elections.

I'm kinda tired of the song and dance. I want someone who's real on this issue. Not someone who's using it.

Sounds like Caroline's using it.

[JerseygirlCT]

57. Since she hasn't had a public position on it as far as I know until now

what leads you to believe she's using it?

[Smarmie Doofus]

67. The very fact that she hasn't had a public position on it.....

... or much of anything else, for that matter ( oops, I forgot, she's for "privacy rights")....leads me to suspect that she's using it. Usually people that are outraged by some injustice or other will tip their hand somewhere along the line.

Caroline is 51 years old. She's been around a looooonnnng time. Come on.

[No Elephants]

63. On what are you basing that assumption?

[ColbertWatcher]

49. I think her lack of political "history" is the same reason why some reporters don't vote.

So they can be nonpartisan.

She lead all those charitable groups and had to appeal to every political persuasion.

So, I don't think she was being wishy-washy, but nonpartisan.

[davidinalameda]

2. thank you!

someone who respects my rights

how refreshing

[Trajan]

4. I already loved and admired Caroline ....

Amazing how so many DUers so hate her without any real cause .... other than her name ...

Stephanie ? ... I haven't forgotten about your awesome PNAC threads ....

Nice to see you ....

[Skittles]

12. I am with you there

there's always been a quiet dignity about Caroline I have always adored - I get sick of DUers talking about her life of privilege, not understanding what exactly that life has cost her

[Stephanie]

13. Thanks!

Nice to see you. I'm happy to be able to post good news for a change. Go Caroline!

[Pastiche423]

22. OT

Stephanie - do you still have the links to your and Eloriel's PNAC threads? I've been searching for them as the links I once had are dead now.

You did a bang up job on them and I admire you greatly for the hard work and research you put into them.

Not OT -

Put me in the Senator Caroline Kennedy crowd!

[Stephanie]

23. I have this one bookmarked:

I think Eloriel's stuff is in there >

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Pastiche423]

25. THANK YOU!

That is what I have been looking for.

[Cha]

33. Yay!

"Put me in the Senator Caroline Kennedy crowd!"

Who knows if Gov Paterson will appoint her or not but I'm really liking for starters that she wants to pursue the chance to serve New York as our Senator. We'll see where this goes.

[lligrd]

5. Delete - Reply in wrong place

[Stephanie]

6. ok

thanks -

[lligrd]

9. Sorry - lol

[otohara]

7. Ahhhh.....A Real Liberal

Thank you Caroline

[yowzayowzayowza]

16. Most excellent!!! n/t

[Omaha Steve]

17. The family has always been on the left and in the lead of our party

No surprise here. I was 11 years old when I went door to door for Bobby. His Nebraska May primary win was considered an upset. It was thought at the time to be a step he needed to rise to the Presidency. My friend David Macklin was at the party in the Ambassador that night in 68. We lost so much in BOTH assassinations. We lost as much when MLK was taken away too. Add in John Lennon and that will tell you how I feel about hand guns laws in the US.

K&R!

[No Elephants]

65. You went door to door for Democrats at age 11? I know you're grown now, but how adorable is that?

[Faygo Kid]

18. Sounds good to me. Can't get more direct than that.

I have mixed emotions about the whole thing, but still - a little inspiration is a good thing.

Would drive the reich wing nuts, too, which is always pleasing.

[Libertyfirst]

42. That picture knocked the breath out of me. And now I am weeping. n/t

[Faygo Kid]

69. Wow. Not my intent, but it is a picture of lost innocence.

All the best.

[Bluenorthwest]

21. Caroline comes out as a Kennedy!

And how refreshing it is to hear a Democrat speak like a Democrat!

[customerserviceguy]

24. Is it just me

or does this whole "Caroline thinks..." thing sound like words put into her mouth by a handler?

One thing that JFK, RFK, and Teddy could do is to give a rousing speech that inspires people to action. That's a leadership quality that I have yet to see Caroline display. Sending forth a spokesperson to deliver your remarks is just phoning it in at this point.

I don't dislike her, but I feel that there are people whose political and practical experience should have their names in the running as well. Andrew Cuomo is just one of a number of people that statement applies to.

[No Elephants]

64. If I lived in NY, I would SO pass on Mr. Andrew Shuckin' and Jivin' Cuomo.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

74. nope. 20,000,000 are simply incapable of being senator.

only a Kennedy is entitled.

[fed_up_mother]

78. Should have been written in Caroline's "voice."

Whoever is handling her is doing a piss poor job, imo.

[Diane R]

26. Good for Caroline! She will make a great senator.

[blue_onyx]

29. I'm really haven't cared too much about who gets appointed

I'm not a New Yorker and don't know anything about the other candidates. I figure let New York/Gov. Paterson figure out who should be picked. But I have to say...it would be nice for a candidate who openly supports gay marriage to be selected (Kennedy or not).

[Cha]

34. And, it's really good that she's coming

out with this now..who knows, Caroline could be one of the catalysts we need?

[JerseygirlCT]

31. Great to hear. Just say it. Now if some of our other politicians

could muster their courage...

[Cha]

36. To me it sounds like she's

just being totally straight forward and letting the chips fall where they may. Now, if more pols could "muster" that, as you say.

[JerseygirlCT]

40. Well, yes. I think in her case, she's somewhat

cushioned by who she is... there's already an expectation that one might find a leftie in a Kennedy, lol. But really - I don't get this whole game (CUs, but not marriage). Just say it!

[Danmel]

35. Paterson will choose someone who makes sense for HIM

Politically- either get Andrew Cuomo out of the running for the governor's seat in 2010 or pick an upstater who can solidify that area for him in that year. Caroline does nothing for him, does not have a constituency. Cuomo has paid his dues, won a STATEWIDE office and would more than hold his own against a Republican candidate like PEte King or Rudy Guiliani. And he has solid Dem Creds.

[disndat]

50. It will make sense for Paterson

to pick C.K. because Obama is for her and that will mean plenty of help for N.Y.S. She showed a lot of spine coming out for Gay marriage, after Obama chose Rick Warren and caused such a storm of disapproval among liberals. As for Andrew Cuomo, there may be a second chance for him when the liberals pick him over Schumer who won't be able to run for dog-catcher in New York State, after the disgraceful N. Y. Times article revealing his big role in the Wall Street meltdown.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

37. Some first-aid is being done I see nt

[floridablue]

38. I would vote for her no matter what she stands for.

[Libertyfirst]

41. Supporting Gay Marriage Won't Help Her in Upstate New York.

But glad to see her take that position and be open and direct. Whether she gets the Senate Seat or not she has taken a stand that all too few politicians are willing to take. In fact, I think it will hurt her chances, but I am proud of her. She has the Kennedy courage.

[Politicub]

43. This makes me happy

Especially in wake of the odious Warren getting the spotlight at the inauguration ceremonies.

[rurallib]

48. So, will some priest make a big show of denying her communion tomorrow?

[ColbertWatcher]

51. LOL! I'm sure there is at least one attention whore out there who will! n/t

[RCinBrooklyn]

52. If we learned anything in 2008, it is: "believe no politician when it comes to gay rights."

[Don Davis]

53. The Biggest Knock on Caroline's Candidacy

http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=5283

[Politicalboi]

54. She won't be visiting the

Pope anytime soon then.

[CatholicEdHead]

60. Expect the Bishops/Archbishops in NY to blast her publically sooner than later

[No Elephants]

66. Profile in Courage. She knows that;. She took the morally correct stand knowing it was not

politically expedient, either in her church or among many in the constitueny she hopes to serve. Brava, Caroline!

[Celeborn Skywalker]

55. Awesome!

Hopefully more of our milquetoast Dems will follow suit.

[EFerrari]

61. Kick

[ellie]

68. Go Caroline!

I hope she gets the seat. I have always liked her.

[HeraldSquare212]

70. CKS would be tombstoned on DU.

In the Q&A linked from politico, she refused to say whether or not she would support the Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York in the next election.

[Oak2004]

75. DU rules refer to promoting other candidates here

not to who you vote for -- or even campaign for elsewhere.

With occasional exceptions, I vote for Vermont Progressive Party candidates where they are on the ballot. I vote in the Prog primaries for local and state office. I've served on the Progressive Party Burlington City Committee, and if my health ever stabilizes, I'll run as a Prog.

There are others here who are active in the Green Party. All that's fine, as long as we don't use DU to promote our parties and candidates.

[dbackjon]

71. That's it. Caroline Kennedy for Senate, then President

[McLowery]

76. I hope she just sticks with being a senator.

I don't like to be negative about most things but I know for a fact, in the dark recesses of my mind, that if Caroline Kennedy were to announce a plan to make a run for the Presidency, she'd be cut down just like her father, her uncle and her brother were. There are people still breathing who were directly involved with JFK's murder and they have had very prosperous political careers since and they will never let someone in that bloodline near the oval office. She will make a great senator.

[burrowowl]

72. I'm for her, her law specialty is the Constitution

We need legislators who know the Constitution! And are GLBT friendly!

[Onlooker]

77. She's manipulating her groupies, who think "marriage rights" are the same as marriage

What does she mean by "marriage rights"? Does she support the right for gays to marry or simply the right for gays to have the rights as married couples, i.e. through civil union laws.

Also, does she support Rick Warren? She didn't answer that. Also, why didn't she say if she'd support the Democratic nominee for mayor of NYC? Or does she simiply prefer to support those in her social set, like multi-billionair mayor Bloomberg?

And her stand on Iraq was not as courageous as Obama's was earlier in the campaign when he promised a 16 month timetable. Instead, she gave a safe, simple answer that reveals nothing about her thinking process or lack thereof.

She did a good job at fooling the OP who thought her answers were direct and straigtforward.