The Democratic Presidential Candidates’ “Gay Debate” | The Visible Vote ‘08: A Presidential Forum. Analysis And Commentary.

Editor’s Note: This is the second of a three-part series on gay politics in America today. Part One, an introduction and overview before the debate, posted yesterday, and Part Three, “The Mainstreaming of Gay America” will post Monday.

Last night’s Democratic Presidential Candidates’ “Gay Debate,” was really more of a “getting to know you.” The six Democratic presidential candidates who attended, one at a time (none were allowed to be on stage at the same time – choose your own answers,) spoke for fifteen to twenty minutes with moderator Margaret Carlson, and the panel of three distinguished guests: Jonathan Capehart, Melissa Etheridge, and Joe Solmonese. The winner: Barack Obama, but tied with Hillary Clinton. The loser: Bill Richardson. Winner of the “I love you all” award: Dennis Kuchinich and Mike Gravel. Oh, and John Edwards was there.

Top Ten List of Best Quotes From The Debate:

1. “I’m a hope monger.” (Obama) (Best. line. ever.)
2. “I just want to say how incredibly humbled and honored I am to be here. I’m not a professional politician, I’m not even a journalist, I’m an incredibly privileged rock star.” (Etheridge)
3. “They told me not to fawn over you, but it’s kind of hard not to.” (Ethreridge, to Kuchinich.)
4. “I love all of you.” (Kuchinich, to audience.)
5. “Marriage preceded all forms of religion in civilization.” (Gravel, on religion co-opting the term marriage.)
6. “Marriage is a commitment of human beings in love, and if there’s anything we need in this world it’s more love.” (Gravel)
7. “I don’t want those votes.” (Gravel, on votes he is losing because he supports gay marriage.)
8. “A good politician can tell you to go to hell, and make you look forward to the trip.” (Gravel, on the politicians who do not support gay marriage.)
9. “Come out of the closet, please.” (Gravel, to those who aren’t, but could.)
10. “Somebody sticks a microphone in front of you, and you think, well, that’s pretty good.” (Clinton, about her initial response to General Pace’s categorization of homosexuality as a sin, discussing her journey from internal self-congratulatory back-patting to moving into ‘whoops,’ and acknowledging – almost – for the first time ever that she made a mistake.)

Highlights:

Barack Obama: “We should try to disentangle what has historically been the issue of the word ‘marriage,’ which has religious connotations to some people, from the civil rights that are given to couples.”

Focused on ensuring legal, equal rights for all, semantics notwithstanding. Obama repeatedly reminded the audience of his support for LGBT rights, since the beginning of his political career. “Can we appeal to what Lincoln called ‘The better angels of our nature’?”

Capehart challenged Obama on homophobia issues in the black community. Obama, on gay marriage and black churches, recounting a conversation with black ministers: “If there’s any pastor here who can point out a marriage that has been broken up as a consequence of seeing two men or two women holding hands, then you should tell me, because I haven’t seen any evidence of it.”

John Edwards: Etheridge brought up the reported quote that Edwards had supposedly said he was not comfortable around gay people. He denied saying it, responding, “I’m perfectly comfortable.” On Ann Coulter’s commentary: “the worst kind of public discourse.” Overall, Edwards was as prepared as he could stand to be. You have to give him credit for two things. First, on his using his religion to support his stand against gay marriage in the YouTube/CNN debate: “I shouldn’t have said that.” Not an easy admission to make. Second, on looking the audience straight in the eye and and telling them he does not believe gay marriage is “right,” and would not support it. “And I think you deserve to know the truth, and the truth is that my position on same-sex marriage has not changed.”

Dennis Kucinich: “People who love each other must have the opportunity to be able to express that love … the state should not be intervening against people, the state should be there on behalf of people.” Also quoted the Constitution. On (illegal) drugs: “We need to look at it more as a medical and a health issue, than as a criminal justice issue.” Has a plan that would “totally cover” catastrophic medical care, and is co-author of a “Medicaid for all” bill. Kuchinich is the little engine that might. He’s the kid you’re swinging for, and you know he’s right, but you know he can’t win, and you’re afraid if he does. “Prime Minister Brown, President Putin, may I introduce the President of the United States, Dennis Kuchinich. You have to ask the question: Is he capable of dealing on a level playing field with world leaders?

Mike Gravel: Thanked his ”friends,“ the Harvey Milk Club, and ”the gays in New York and San Francisco.“ ”Five years from now, the marriage issue will be a non-issue in the next presidential campaign.“ Questioned why, when he and Kuchinich ”move the ball down the court, – that benefits the gay community – … I find it ironic that we see the gay community supporting people like Hillary, Obama, Edwards.“ Decriminalize hard drugs. ”Two million three hundred thousand people in jail, half of them shouldn’t be there.“ Gravel is your enlightened grandfather. You love his message, you salute his courage, you wonder why he is so … odd. But in a good way.

Bill Richardson: Homosexuality is a choice. Specifically:

Etheridge: ”Do you think homosexuality is a choice, or is it biological?

Richardson: “It’s a choice.”

Etheridge: “I don’t know if you understand the question, do you think a homosexual is born that way, or do you think that around seventh grade we go, ‘Ooh, I want to be gay?’?”

Richardson: “You know, I — I’m not a scientist.”

This, from a man who was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and the Chairman of the 2004 Democratic National Convention. At the very least, he walked in unprepared.

Believes that full and equal rights are achievable. Would repeal DOMA. He is definitely a strategist, wants to move the country along, believes we are on a “path.” Apologized for using the word “maricone.” Believes in one step at a time. He is only willing to do what is “achievable,” and has tied his own hands because of his limiting beliefs.

Hillary Clinton: Came out like a rock star, recognizing people in the audience. Hit Bush in the first sentence. Credible, smart, strategic. One of the first times she seemed like a human being. You watch her inner-mind working. You can see the gears turning. You think, wow. And you wonder: Can she really make the world a better place? Or is she, unfair as it is to think, is she too much a part of the political machine to lead with whatever idealism she might have left?

Overall, only Kuchinich and Gravel support gay marriage. Clinton, Obama, Edwards, and Richardson all support same-sex civil unions. And as much as I like Joe Biden, I don’t think I can forgive him for choosing to appear on Charlie Rose over attending this event. And to Connecticut’s Chris Dodd, who withdrew his agreement to appear last night, well, time to pull out.

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