May 6, 2005
SO HE IS RUNNING AGAIN:
Democrats' platform shouldn't back gay marriage, Kerry says (Rick Klein, May 6, 2005, Boston Globe)
US Senator John F. Kerry said yesterday that he believes it's a mistake for the Massachusetts Democratic Party to include a plank in its official platform in support of same-sex marriage, saying that such a statement does not conform with the broad views of party members.Kerry, who opposes same-sex marriage but supports civil unions, said in an interview with the Globe that he would prefer that the party not mention gay marriage in its platform, because Democrats continue to disagree on how to handle the issue.
''I'm opposed to it being in a platform. I think it's a mistake," Kerry said shortly after hosting a forum on his universal children's healthcare bill in Baton Rouge. ''I think it's the wrong thing, and I'm not sure it reflects the broad view of the Democratic Party in our state."
Some analysts believe that the same-sex marriage issue contributed to Kerry's loss to President Bush in last year's presidential campaign. Kerry's position puts him at odds with the state Democratic Party chairman and his fellow Bay State senator, Edward M. Kennedy, who is scheduled to address the party convention next weekend.
Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that Hillary Clinton will be smart enough to oppose it too in her campaign for the presidency. Isn't the Left entitled to a candidate who actually shares its beliefs? Posted by Orrin Judd at May 6, 2005 8:45 AM
"he would prefer that the party not mention gay marriage in its platform, because Democrats continue to disagree on how to handle the issue."
Yes, but it is a procedural issue. Say the right things to swing voters to get elected but nominate judges who will implement it.
Posted by: Rick T. at May 6, 2005 9:25 AMRick T. hits the nail on the head. The poltics of stealth through the courts is the agenda. The people can't be trusted with making the decision.
Reactionary rubes.
The "Left" doesn't deserve its own party anymore than the Paleocons opposing Bush deserves its own party.
This insistence that the Democratic Party should split is just another of these OJ fantasies - like how Kerry should drop from the Senate during the campaign. While I understand why this would benefit the GOP, it has no benefit for any of their opponents and hence likewise won't happen.
Posted by: Chris Durnell at May 6, 2005 11:51 AM" Isn't the Left entitled to a candidate who actually shares its beliefs?"
Are you saying Dennis Kucinich won't be running again?
Posted by: obc at May 6, 2005 9:06 PMKerry should have picked Barney Frank as his running mate. Holding his hand would have been, well, more provocative. A bold step, as it were. Andrew would have been pleased, and could have offered his solid endorsement.
And there wouldn't have been any Mary Cheney slurs.
Posted by: jim hamlen at May 7, 2005 9:39 AMKerry does share the beliefs of the Left--except for repealing his wife's tax write-offs--including SSM. He's merely unwilling to be honest about it. Which is one more reason why Rule-by-Judge is so poisonous.
Posted by: Noel at May 7, 2005 4:35 PM