About Portman's switch...

[Are_grits_groceries]

Yes, he quickly changed positions when his son came out.

Truth be told that's what it takes for a lot of people to really understand some issues. As open and magnanimous as people on DU are and like to think they are, there are situations which some would have to experience to understand others.

Understanding any Southerner, liberal or otherwise, might help some come off of their knee jerk reaction to this region. When I read hateful posts, I would dearly love to have them visit me and let me show them around. It would include warts and all.

This isn't the only situation that might help. You don't have to agree with anybody. However, you might gain some insight into why they act as they do and what approach may help begin to change them. Granted, there are some people who wouldn't be worth the time because their ways are set in stone.

As for Portman, I don't expect wholesale change to other positions. It might just begin a process though.

Okay. Flame away. I expect it.

[cali]

1. I'm going to rec you not flame you

[graham4anything]

2. One million people died of AIDS until one of Ronald Reagan's personal friends died from it

then Ronnie woke up.

I guess better late than never.

Does this mean Portman is now 100% backing marriage for all?

and yes, the nation should come together and work together for everything instead of being
obstructionists, which is why I favor a grand bargain if that is what it takes to bring forward more great social issues and equality issues and amnesty and quick path to citizenship.

So, we shall see.

Remember, Cheney is a nice grandfather and father, but his political views still suck.

[Justice]

3. Margaret Carlson in 1997: "one-to-one conversions are no substitute for empathy"

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/04/14/time/carlson.html

Portman's switch reminds of this insightful Margaret Carlson piece from 1997.
Carlson lists Republicans who suddenly convert to support a particular issue, only because a family member is personally and directed affected. They remain unable to comprehend what others go through, but when they or a family member experience the difficulty, they immediately have a "public conversion" on the limited issue.

Basically, nothing moves a conservative unless it happens to a family member.

Examples in the article are:

..."Senator Pete Domenici, whose daughter has suffered from mental illness, expensively amended the Kennedy-Kassebaum health-care bill to cover such afflictions."

..."Senator Al D'Amato, whose top political strategist is homosexual, supports gays in the military."

..."Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio, whose daughter was tragically killed in an auto accident in 1993, opposed repeal of the federal 55-m.p.h. speed limit last year."

.."George Will, who derides mushy liberal programs, has written movingly in support of government programs that help his son, who has Down syndrome."

Laura Ingraham, "apologizing in a Washington Post article for her rabid intolerance of gays." (In college she called gays "sodomites" but suddenly realized how wrong she was when her gay brother cared for his partner who had AIDS.

So, Margaret should reissue this column and add Portman (and so many others to the list).

[michigandem58]

4. I'd add Christie to the list

No doubt his love of government bailouts in the event of natural disasters was quite the overnight evolution.

[MNBrewer]

11. So true. No empathy, no ability to put themselves in another person's place even theoretically

Anti same-sex marriage until it hit him personally. Good for changing, Sen. Portman, but the circumstances are illustrative of the well-known lack of empathy displayed by conservatives.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

15. Senator Kirk of Illinois. After his debilitating stroke, NOW he realizes the benefits...

... of physical rehabilitation therapy for Medicare/Medicaid patients.

Something along the lines of "I wouldn't be walking today if I didn't have good physical therapy treatment. Maybe we should increase funding" - Duh, asshole.

[michigandem58]

5. What does this have to do with the South?

I'm missing something.

[Bluenorthwest]

6. Southerners are not allowed to marry, apparently.

In 29 States a person can be fired or denied housing for being gay, legally and openly. Included in the 29 States, the entire South, every State of or near the South maintains laws which allow discrimination against LGBT people.
Facts can annoy.
http://www.upworthy.com/29-states-can-fire-you-for-being-gay-is-your-state-one-of-them

[michigandem58]

7. The South is generally more racist, without a doubt

And I know it's been a point of contention here. I just don't see why it came up in this case. Unless one considers Portmann to be from a somewhat southern state because of Appalachian Ohio?

[Firebrand Gary]

8. I loudly applaud Senator Portman.

How great it is that one more Gay person truly knows his parents stand behind his full equality. Additionally it comes just days before the Supreme Court oral arguments! Great, great news!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. "Quickly"? Nah. It took him two years. nt

[Bohunk68]

10. Thanks grioceries r grits

The other thread on this was just filled with self congratulatory people patting themselves on the back for being born with all the empathy in the world within them. Portman is such a baaaad guy for not being there until his son...... yada yada. Disgusting. What the hell has DU come to? Change takes many paths for many people.

[dsc]

19. I admit to be more than a little annoyed that he was all too willing

to take away rights from my father's son. Now that it is his son all of the sudden those rights matter. I am glad for his vote, but he doesn't get a medal.

[Wabbajack_]

12. Fuck Portman

He only cares about his son, no one else. Before he knew HIS precious son was gay he didn't give a fuck.

[Are_grits_groceries]

13. I used the South as an example because

it seems that every week someone bashes everyone and everything in this region.
I'm sure there are other examples.

As far as the empathy claim, I believe that. Those are the people who you would waste your time on if they have no capacity for caring. There are many people who are found wanting who are lumped in with the other hard hearts unfairly.

[KingFlorez]

14. It doesn't matter

Switching positions on policy because of your family is political hypocrisy. He was opposed to this for years, but once it becomes convenient for his family, his support for marriage equality is on and popping. That is not worthy of commendation, because it's the same old tired political game that is played constantly. He gets to look like a caring father and get some good press based just on that. Sounds like a purple state Republican stunt.

[MNBrewer]

16. But...

http://www.salon.com/2013/03/15/gop_senator_rob_portman_endorses_marriage_equality/

"Portman may have reversed his position on gay marriage, but he has stayed the course on other important gay rights legislation. The senator continues to oppose the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would make it illegal for an employer to fire someone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.

As he explained in an interview in June, the Ohio lawmaker believes such legislation “would make it difficult for employers to feel comfortable”

[pipi_k]

17. No

flaming from me.

I understand exactly what you're saying, and why Portman changed his stance.

It's absolutely true that many people do not understand an issue until/unless they are faced with it in their own lives.

Even here at DU.

I recall something that happened on DU2 a few years ago where I got jumped on and insulted by people who did not agree with/understand an action I had to take with my daughter nearly 30 years ago.

They weren't there. They had no idea of what was going on at the time. And I'd bet they never had to deal with the pain and fear involved in not knowing where their child had disappeared to, whether she was dead or alive.

People nearly always think they know what's best for others, and the ironic thing is, these people usually don't know shit about what it's like to be someone else.

I commend Portman for changing his opinion, for whatever reason.

[SHRED]

18. These assholes are self-centered

That has NOT changed.

It's all about when something affects them only. That is when the "change" occurs.

--

[Aerows]

20. I don't care why people change their minds

only that they do. One person at a time is how things change over time. He might not suddenly support other areas of LGBT legislation, but if he can change his mind on gay marriage, he can change his mind on other issues, too.

I could rant all day long about *why* he changed his mind, but in the end, that he changed it at all (and will vote accordingly) is what matters.