Kerry changes stance on same-sex marriage
Feb. 27th, 2004 08:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
judecorpBy DEBORAH ORIN
February 27, 2004 -- Democratic front-runner John Kerry yesterday came out for a Massachusetts constitutional ban on gay marriage and suggested that a law he once blasted as "gay-bashing" should remain the law of the land.
Kerry's shift in tone came as Rosie O'Donnell wed her longtime girlfriend and fueled the debate over same-sex marriages - at a time when a court in Kerry's home state of Massachusetts has ordered that they be legalized this spring.
"If the Massachusetts legislature crafts an appropriate amendment [to ban gay marriage] that provides for partnership and civil unions, then I would support it, and it would advance the goal of equal protection," Kerry told the Boston Globe.
Then last night, Kerry told a Los Angeles debate that he's against gay marriage and declined to reaffirm his opposition to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which restricted gay marriage and which he once called "gay-bashing."
When pressed on whether he'd vote to repeal DOMA, Kerry replied: "DOMA is the law of the land today . . . There are no votes to take it back."
DOMA lets one state refuse to recognize a gay marriage performed elsewhere and in 1996, Kerry said it's "unconstitutional" - because every state is legally required to recognize marriages from all other states.
Last night Kerry flip-flopped and said, "No state has to recognize something that is against their public policy," suggesting the basic principle in DOMA is correct.
He was one of just 14 senators to vote against it.
Kerry's chief Democratic rival, John Edwards, disagreed and pointedly said: "I would not support the DOMA today if there were a vote today."
Both Kerry and Edwards oppose President Bush's call for a nationwide constitutional ban on gay marriage.
On another hot-button issue, Kerry defended his opposition to the death penalty even in cases where a small child is murdered, saying: "The state should not engage in killing." Edwards supports the death penalty.
The CNN debate was the most informal and most pointed of the eight in 2004, with Kerry, Edwards, Al Sharpton and Rep. Dennis Kucinich sitting elbow-to-elbow.
Edwards looked at ease as he usually does at debates but had big trouble explaining his vote for the Iraq war in one of the final debates before next week's Super Tuesday vote in New York and nine other states.
Kerry looked uncomfortable explaining his vote for the war and was the victim of bad makeup that left him looking wrinkly - though it might validate his denial that he had Botox treatment.
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Date: 2004-02-27 01:34 pm (UTC)When pressed on whether he'd vote to repeal DOMA, Kerry replied: "DOMA is the law of the land today . . . There are no votes to take it back."
Basically, he's saying "everyone else is doing it, so me too!" G*ddamn, he is sketchy.
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Date: 2004-02-27 01:49 pm (UTC)Nader's support of gay marriage sets him apart
WASHINGTON — Liberal activists have urged allies on the left to ignore Ralph Nader’s bid for president to concentrate opposition to George W. Bush. But Nader favors gay marriage, an issue that energizes many liberals but is opposed by the leading Democratic contenders for president.
http://www.detnews.com/2004/politics/0402/24/a04-72847.htm
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Date: 2004-02-27 01:58 pm (UTC)It looks like "Anyone But Bush" isn't worth it for me this time.
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Date: 2004-02-27 02:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-27 02:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-27 02:17 pm (UTC)The two party system needs to go!
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Date: 2004-02-27 02:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-27 02:44 pm (UTC)Damn. Damn damn damn.
Date: 2004-02-27 03:18 pm (UTC)I was considering voting for Dean on Tuesday to symbolically remind Senator Kerry that some of us don't like the fact that he let himself get duped by the stupidest guy ever to sit in the oval office. I don't actually believe Kerry didn't know Prince George would invade Iraq, so there was something else going on.
I think I may have to switch to Edwards now. And actively campaign for him. I mean, I understand that a majority of people in this country don't have the strong opinion that people should not be denied the right to marry because they're the same sex, and Kerry doesn't want to lose the election on that issue, but he could've stayed with the "states' rights" line and been fine in that regard.
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Date: 2004-02-27 11:05 pm (UTC)DEAR GOD.
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Date: 2004-02-27 11:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-27 11:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-27 11:07 pm (UTC)I mean, I'm far from a one-issue voter, but what the heck am I going to do in a Bush-Kerry contest??!?
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Date: 2004-02-27 11:08 pm (UTC)Re: Damn. Damn damn damn.
Date: 2004-02-27 11:09 pm (UTC)Ugh.
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Date: 2004-02-28 09:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-02 03:13 am (UTC)