Kerry aims to keep peace with gays

[Quetzal]

Kerry aims to keep peace with gays

WASHINGTON -- Senator John F. Kerry met privately yesterday with gay-rights groups to fortify a tenuous peace between his presidential campaign, which is seeking to neutralize gay marriage as a political wedge issue, and gay leaders who share feelings of anger and resignation toward Kerry for opposing the marriages that will begin in his home state Monday.

Kerry, who plans to spend Monday at a civil-rights celebration in Kansas and then a rally in Oregon, asked for yesterday's meeting with leaders of major gay-rights organizations to underscore his support for most of their agenda, such as AIDS/HIV funding, hate-crimes protections, and antibias measures in employment, education, and health care. His campaign also wanted to affirm the gay political community's support for Kerry should an outcry arise over his opposition to gay marriage.

Kerry reminded the leaders that he has one of the most supportive voting records on gay-related legislation in the Senate and that he would champion their causes as president, Kerry aides and gay leaders said yesterday.

Gay marriage has proved a sensitive and complicated issue for the presumed Democratic nominee, and his advisers are divided about whether these unions -- and the mix of controversy and celebration they are likely to engender -- present political dangers, or opportunities, for a Democratic presidential nominee from Massachusetts.

more...

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/05/15/kerry_aims_to_keep_peace_with_gays/

[orthogonal]

1. Don't draft the Gays!

What?!

"Kerry aims to keep peace with gays"???

Look, I'm for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as much the next man, and we've all sung "In the Navy", but it's a bit much for Kerry to think he can start drafting gay people and make them secure the Pax Americana around the globe when they don't even have the right to marry!

What? Oh....never mind.

This is Roseann Roseanna Danna, saying good night and good news.

[DaveSZ]

2. I saw a poll in the WP:

Kerry would lose big time if he openly supported gay marriage.

This gay marriage thing happened at a really bad time, and I wish it had happened after Kerry was elected.

I have no problem with gay marriage though in any way.

Remember though, it's all about the US Supreme Court.

We can't let Shrub appoint any justices if we want to uphold civil rights in this country. It will be like Jerry Falwell ruling from the bench for another 40 years.

[dsc]

3. This is exhibit A as to why his position on this issue was politically

stupid. All Kerry had to do was say "I don't think this is worth amending any constitution over." That removes discussion off the merits where we do likely lose, keeps LGBT voters happy without pandering, and does no harm with swing voters.

Instead, in every state in which one of these amendments are on the ballot Kerry will be asked to take a position. They will likely not only ban gay marriage but also ban civil unions. Now what does he do? If he endorses those, he pisses off the local LGBT community. If he doesn't he then has to distinguish between what he did endorse and what he didn't. That means a discussion about the merits of gay unions.

[ACK]

4. This is good constructive criticism

Instead of just attacking Kerry you point out a (IMO) big flaw in his position.

I hope you have emailed the Kerry camp.

Sure, he could keep spouting that states have the rights to do what they to do with their constitution as long as it does not trump the Constitution of the US.

But then if he really wants to let people he cares about the gay community he could couch this response with your very astute position of, "I personally, however, do not believe this is worth amending any constitution for."

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. I agree, if Kerry had chosen his reason for political reasons, it would be

stupid. Actually there is no political position that wouldn't be stupid. Kerry is wrong on gay marriage - it's as simple as that. I don't think we need to take it a step farther and without evidence accuse him of some inept attempt to pander.