Feingold Would Legalize Same-Sex Marriages

[LiberalGuy000]

By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 5, 2006; Page A09

Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), a prospective 2008 presidential candidate, said yesterday that he thinks bans on same-sex marriages have no place in the nation's laws.

Feingold said in an interview that he was motivated to state his position on one of the most divisive social issues in the country after being asked at a town hall meeting Sunday about a pending amendment to the Wisconsin state constitution to ban same-sex marriages.

Feingold called the amendment "a mean-spirited attempt" to single out gays and lesbians for discrimination and said he would vote against it. But he went further, announcing he favors legalizing same-sex marriages as well.

That puts him at odds with many prominent Democratic politicians who support gay rights but not same-sex marriage. Should Feingold decide to run for the party's presidential nomination in 2008, his position would put him to the left of many likely rivals.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/04/AR2006040401624.html

[LiberalGuy000]

1. more

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=63538

[stephinrome]

21. don't forget to support russ

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=842669&mesg_id=842669

[boobooday]

2. "a mean-spirited attempt" to single out gays and lesbians

It's at least mean-spirited. Their campaigns against gays and now academics are cynical and hypocritical, not to mention disgusting and vile.

And un-Democratic.

[rodeodance]

5. its the Repug WI legislature that is going this crap.

Feingold said in an interview that he was motivated to state his position on one of the most divisive social issues in the country after being asked at a town hall meeting Sunday about a pending amendment to the Wisconsin state constitution to ban same-sex marriages.

[boobooday]

7. Yeah, I'm sure in Wisconsin

The biggest problem is people wanting to make loving commitments to each other.

I love Russ! It sounds so nice and natural to say that (it's my hubby's name too).

[rodeodance]

11. our biggest problem is Sensenbrenner!

[badgervan]

12. Doyle Our Safeguard

Senator Russ is my senator, and I trust him implicitly. We do have a socially liberal dem as governor, Jim Doyle. He would veto any repub effort to "republicanize" us too much. I do believe that a state wide referendum on marraige being between a man and woman only will be on the ballot in November, but I have faith in my fellow Wisconsinites to vote for tolerance. The hate-based republican party of 2006 just might be in for some big surprises come November. I think that the country has just about had enough of this crap.

[rodeodance]

3. te he--says it puts him add odds with other Dems!

That puts him at odds with many prominent Democratic politicians who support gay rights but not same-sex marriage. Should Feingold decide to run for the party's presidential nomination in 2008, his position would put him to the left of many likely rivals.

[LiberalGuy000]

4. yeah, like Hillary (n/t)

[rodeodance]

6. and he says his from Sensenbrenner land!

[rodeodance]

8. also says he wants to defeat the Federal constitutuon amendment

"Obviously, it's a very difficult issue and evokes a lot of emotions," Feingold said in a telephone interview yesterday. "I think it's something ultimately that people throughout the country will accept, but it's not an easy issue." He accused the Bush White House and the Republican Party of using same-sex marriage as a wedge issue "to hurt Democrats who are against discrimination."

The Wisconsin senator said he is prepared to work with supporters of same-sex marriage to assure they are legal in the future.

"Further steps would be appropriate," he said, noting that his first priorities are to defeat the proposed Wisconsin amendment as well as a federal constitutional amendment that is expected to come to a vote in the Senate later this spring.

[rodeodance]

10. Fed. amendment will be Senate vote later this spring. This is news to me.

......"Further steps would be appropriate," he said, noting that his first priorities are to defeat the proposed Wisconsin amendment as well as a federal constitutional amendment that is expected to come to a vote in the Senate later this spring.

[midnight]

9. Who has time for all this judgment?

If someone wants to marry another women or man why is that such a hysterical matter for some to accept. Even if one was concerned about God condemning one for not shaming or blaming the same-sex marriage folks, can't they use a loop hole? Can't those God fearing folks rest, knowing that God does not want us to judge unless we want to be judged as well. It goes something like that.

[booley]

13. That's It!

I know he doesn't have a chance in hell, I am soooo voting for this guy!

[cboy4]

14. "his position would put him to the left of many likely rivals."

Good. Maybe we'll get to hear some valid reasons (not any of the bible bullshit) why exactly those "rivals" are against same sex marriage -- something that does not affect any straight person in this country.

Thanks Russ. You've really shined over the past few weeks! :applause:

[Robeson]

15. Amazing how the Republicans were able to make this a wedge issue....

...honestly, most Americans never thought of who could marry whom, before the Republicans made this an issue. Then, it became one.

They simply played on the homophobia of a segment of Americans, then said, "Oh my God, what if "X" happens?"

How sad that people can't see through this.

[Catfight]

16. He's smart, he's making this an open issue and uniting the good

in people. I have to say, it's a breath of fresh air, but let's see how much resolve he has left after the hateful 'christians' and 'moral' bigots get through with him. They won't stand for tolerance, they want some crosses to burn and dammit, the gays are a great target for hate.

[LeftHander]

17. GOP won't mention it though....only more tax cuts...

THey are running on Tax Cuts again...but along with it come the dark side of bigotry.

[dusty64]

18. Good for him,

I am liking this guy even more lately.........

[Laelth]

19. Good for him!

My more cautious (wimpy Dem.) nature tells me he can't win this way, and that he just committed political suicide.

On the other hand, it's past time for progressives to stop being ashamed of their (our) beliefs. We're in the right, after all, and we need to stand for something. Otherwise, we're just Repuke lite. At least Feingold is taking a courageous, progressive, and ethical stand.

-Laelth

[bunkerbuster1]

20. The more ordinary Americans actually think this through

and the more elected officials like Russ who have the courage to stand up and speak their minds on this, the more accepted gay marriage will become.

I sincerely believe it will be a matter of no more than ten years before millions of people will be denying that they ever actually voted for the hateful "God Hates Fags" referenda of 2004.

Maybe I'm a cockeyed optimist, or maybe I'm just a stupid middle-aged hetero male who doesn't know better, but I'll wager cash money I'm right.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

23. Have you seen polls on this issue?

Acceptance of gay marriage and homosexuality in general is skyrocketing. Despite GOP attempts to scapegoat them, more and more people are realizing that equal rights for everyone means exactly that; for everyone.

[bunkerbuster1]

24. Yes, I have.

Using this as a wedge issue is, probably, already backfiring. I think in their heart of hearts, most Americans know that it's flat-out wrong to deny civil rights to their fellow citizens who happen to be gay. And until the Goopers started screaming GAY MARRIAGE! it's not something a lot of folks really had to think about.

Some months ago, a RW co-worker who leans libertarian was telling me that gay people really already had all the rights they needed, outside of marriage. I replied, "you mean the right to work? to live where they choose? to raise a family? they have none of these things in many parts of the US."

He had to stop and think about that, and acknowledge I was right. Still doesn't "believe in gay marriage," but I think that's just a matter of time now.

[Strathos]

22. I know it's shallow, but I LOVE him

Just for standing up, I LOVE HIM!!!

He'll have my support.

[zann725]

25. What a guy! What a true Dem! If he DOES run, he's sure lookin' good.

He DEFINITELY talks "Truth to Authority," and does NOT back down.

What a guy! Go Russ!