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VP Debate: Gay Marriage

It was kind of surprising that both parties are 100% against gay marriage. But then again neither really delved into the nuances of what they do and do not want legal. Anybody know either party's stance in more detail? Like are they both for "civil unions" at least???

 

Re: VP Debate: Gay Marriage

  • I don't think either party has an official stance on the issue other than that they're against it. ?The civil union distinction is more of a personal thing as opposed to a party platform.
  • I think its ridiculous that neither are for gay marriage.  Confused

    Obama is in favor of civil unions, and McCain believes it's a states issue.

    They both oppose a federal marriage amendment.

    My minister has expressed (one-on-one, not in a sermon) that this is a generational issue, and as my generation grows stronger, gay rights will come.  It was in reference to a church related issue, but yeah, I think he's right in general as well.

  • I feel the same as you MD. But I also feel like its so unpopular with older generations, that even if all the candidates where for it personally, they don't feel like they would win any brownie points saying that publicly, kwim?? Basically I feel like a whole lot more people are for it than they are willing to admit.

     

  • imagezoegirlTX:

    wait wait...am I confused!?!?

    I understand they are both against "marriage" I know OBC is for civil unions & I thought the official republican party was AGASINT civil unions??

    Aren't the Dems/libearls for equal rights & equal protections, but the Republicans are against that, right??

    Hahaha, against equal rights?  Well that's an interesting way to put it.

    I don't know what the party line is, but I can assure you John McCain is against the banning of gay marriage, has promised to veto a federal marriage amendment banning gay marriage, and has voted no on the proposed amendment in the past.  Hence why he was endorsed by the Log Cabin Republicans (who didn't endorse Bush in 2004, btw).

  • I wasn't surprised by Biden's harsh stance. Obama/Biden have to be against gay "marriage" if they want any hope of getting elected.
  • imageMarquisDoll:

    I think its ridiculous that neither are for gay marriage.  Confused

    Agreed. Obama/Biden are for civil unions, though, which is a step ahead of McCain/Palin. McCain's website says:

    As president, John McCain would nominate judges who understand that the role of the Court is not to subvert the rights of the people by legislating from the bench. Critical to Constitutional balance is ensuring that, where state and local governments do act to preserve the traditional family, the Courts must not overstep their authority and thwart the Constitutional right of the people to decide this question.

    I honestly don't understand that. When courts rule that gay marriage bans violate a state constitution (and maybe someday the federal...we can hope), they are saying that the legislation violates the Constitution. They are interpreting the Constitution and applying it to a statute. I'm so sick of the "legislating from the bench" line. I don't understand how ruling that a statute which limits the rights of gays is somehow taking away the Constitutional right of people.

    The idea that this should be left to the states is simply not workable in the long run. Civil unions or gay marriage need to be recognized federally because there are so many issues affected by it that cross state lines, such as taxes and child custody. Currently, same-sex couples who would benefit from filing their federal income taxes jointly can't do that because it's a "state issue." Shouldn't the federal government take a stand on the application of its tax code to same-sex couples who marry in states that permit it?

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  • I thought that question was a mess.  Biden started off so strongly, and then totally backed off.  Palin was all over the place.

    The question is just a land mine. 

    I get the political calculation of drawing a distinction since it's trying to walk the narrow line of looking like you are not discriminating against gay people, but still appealing to the people freaked out by them.  At some point, somebody is going to have to take the plunge.  I think with each passing day, the risk becomes smaller and smaller.  It's just a matter of time.

    I would be shocked if they are still playing this game in the next election.  Four years from now, the dems will be in support of marriage.  I'd put money on it.

  • Both parties are afraid to take a strong stand on gay marriage either way. They ended up with a disingenuous "we agree on this issue" but that's not the case-- but both are afraid to piss off the homophobes out there so get away with vagueries.
  • I, too, was kind of surprised at how that section went down... I haven't heard commentary yet on that section.

    But the question is: did Palin flub or is that the new MPC stance on gay rights?

    image
    Adam & Shoshie 10-21-07: "My family is big and loud and everybody's in each other's lives and business. ... but wherever I go, they will always be there." * My Blog: Tales of a Hopeful Jewish Mom to Be * BabyFruit Ticker
  • Yeah, DH and I cringed when Biden adamantly opposed same sex unions...I mean CA is poised to make history with our same sex union initiative. Someday, very soon, that answer will look woefully inadequate, dated, and misguided, and it will be a black mark on Biden's record.
  • imageEastSideFluffy:

    I thought that question was a mess.? Biden started off so strongly, and then totally backed off.? Palin was all over the place.

    Yeah, it seemed like Biden said 2 completely opposite things. I'm not in love with Obama/Biden to begin with, and this is one issue where they deeply disappoint. Perhaps it's because I live in a lefty liberal city and have lots of gay friends, acquaintances and neighbors. I can't believe it's the year 2008 and people are still for denying marriage rights to couples based on their sexual orientation. I don't see at all how it's different than denying equal marriage rights to interracial couples. How do people explain a difference between the two?

  • imageEastSideFluffy:

    I would be shocked if they are still playing this game in the next election.  Four years from now, the dems will be in support of marriage.  I'd put money on it.

     

    i hope so! 

     

  • I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by Biden's answer to the question.  Obama has been consistently opposed to "gay marriage".  How could he have answered any other way?
  • I am surprised only because as a CA resident, his very forceful opposition is diametrically opposed with CA's stance on gay marriage and the fact that the ban on gay marriage here is probably going to fail. It's not as if CA is some po-dunk state in the middle of nowhere. We have a huge population and lots of campaign cash. I ddin't think that Biden was going to outright support gay marriage, but I didn't think his opposition would be so adamant.
  • That's the part of the debate that had me yelling at the television. I am so irritated that it's political suicide to support gay marriage. For crying out loud. I sure do hope your optimists are right about this being the last election where this will be a major issue.
    BabyFruit Ticker
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