Democratic candidates address gay rights

[rodeodance]

Source: ap

Democratic candidates address gay rights

By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer 18 minutes ago

NEW YORK - The gay-rights movement reaches a milestone Thursday when its agenda is the subject of a televised Democratic presidential forum. Yet many activists — craving bolder support for same-sex couples — view the unprecedented event with mixed emotions.


Though pleased that all the candidates of a major party are courting their votes and endorsing the bulk of their political wish-list, they are frustrated that none of the front-runners is calling for legalization of gay marriage.

The forum, to be held in Los Angeles, is co-sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, a gay-rights group that has become increasingly influential in Democratic politics, and by Logo, the gay-oriented cable channel that will provide a live telecast and Internet simulcast. Every Democratic candidate except Joe Biden, who cited a schedule conflict, plans to participate.

Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese will serve as a panelist, along with singer Melissa Etheridge and Washington Post editorial writer Jonathan Capehart.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070808/ap_on_re_us/politics_gays;_ylt=AkCl.TPiDnoEaP88YAzh1Tys0NUE

[JudyM]

1. Should be a good format: 15 minutes each should allow some depth on the subject

if the questioners are persistent. It'll be fun, if nothing else, to watch Melissa press them for answers.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. THIS I would love to see!

I want to see the major candidates bob and weave and spin and backtrack on the issue of gay marriage. Kucinich is the only one who will be able to look that panel in the eye and say unequivocally, "Yes, I believe in full rights for gay Americans and will work to make gay marriage legal". :)

[TankLV]

5. Maybe we can take notes so we can use it for other things...

One thing is certain - this should be VERY entertaining...

Might even get a new dance craze out of all the bobbing and weaving...

Of course, comparatively, the repukes - ALL of 'em - are jockeying to see who will be first round us up the quickest and then put us all in the gas chambers...

To put it all in perspective...

[David__77]

3. A leading candidate could really distinguish themselves by supporting marriage rights.

I kind of thought maybe Edwards would come out and endorse marriage rights, but so far, no leading candidates do. I know some of them probably "privately" do, but they still want to straddle the fence, which, from a tactical perspective, I cannot blame them for to some extent.

[deacon]

4. And repubicans will discuss Young Republican National Federation Chair Glenn Murphy's

rights.

[BlueIris]

6. Contrary to popular belief, this can go nowhere bad. Keep it up, Dems. nt