The right-wing rationalization

Comments

1. Hawyer on Jun 15, 2008 10:59:42 PM:

   "[John McCain] has the right stands, in my opinion, on abortion and the sanctity of marriage."

   Translation: (a) He will appoint far-right ideologues to the Supreme Court who will place Roe v. Wade in serious jeopardy; and (b) he will kowtow if required to the party fringe who would love to see a constitutional amendment enshrining gays as second class citizens.

   The Faustian bargain between the corporatists and the religious fundies seems still intact. One wonders for how long?

1. Charles J. Mueller on Jun 18, 2008 1:41:16 AM:

   Jebus, my tang gets tungled just trying to read that tortured commentary by Stephen Strang.

   So two wrongs make a right, do they?

1. Charles J. Mueller on Jun 18, 2008 1:43:49 AM:

   Jebus, my tang gets tungled just trying to read that tortured commentary by Stephen Strang.

   So two wrongs make a right, do they?

1. Pomo on Jun 19, 2008 3:11:03 AM:

   I'm a gay Republican. I don't know if I will vote for McCain or not but I don't vote for my candidates strictly on their stance on gay issues. I would vote for him because his economic policies and national defense views are more closely alligned to my own.

   Do you have a problem with a gay person voting for McCain?

   I hope not considering his stance on gay marriage is nearly identical to Obamas. Both support civil unions. Neither support marriage. Although I am sure Oabama will use his amazing oratory skills to make gay people support him.

1. Chris on Jun 19, 2008 11:09:31 AM:

   Pomo, you ask the $64,000 question. My short answer would be that it depends on the importance of the race, the difference of the candidates on gay issues, and the difference of the candidates on non-gay issues. As my co-blogger Kevin points out, we have months to analyze those points with regard to McCain and Obama.

   But let's be very clear about one thing: It is not at all correct to say that their positions on gay marriage are "nearly identical" and "both support civil unions." The only thing they have in common is opposition to gay marriage in principle (really a non-issue at the federal level), and opposition to a federal marriage amendment that isn't happening regardless of their views. Plus, as noted below, McCain has of late conditioned his opposition in major ways. Let's break it down:

   McCain:
   * OPPOSES repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of valid state same-sex marriages, and allows anti-gay states to refuse recognition of gay marriages from other states;
   * OPPOSES civil unions and even domestic partnerships;
   * OPPOSES federal recognition of civil unions or DPs;
   * FAVORS state constitutional amendments banning gays from marrying and recognizing gay marriages from other states;
   * FAVORS state constitutional amendments banning civil unions and domestic partnerships;
   * FAVORS state constitutional amendments that ban public agencies, universities, hospitals, etc from even offering D.P. benefits;
   * OPPOSES judicial authority to strike down state laws that ban gays from marrying;
   * opposes a federal marriage amendment but has said he would change his mind on that if some very open criteria are met.

   Obama:
   * FAVORS civil unions issued by states AND federal recognition of those civil unions the same as marriages;
   * FAVORS full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act;
   * OPPOSES state constitutional amendments blocking gay marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships or DP benefits;
   * SUPPORTS judicial authority to strike down state laws that ban gays from marrying;
   * OPPOSES a federal marriage amendment under any circumstances.

   As you can see, the differences between these two candidates on marriages and civil unions is HUGE.