Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Monday, May 09, 2005

Kerry: Early Campaign Bird Is A Worm

Kicking off what may be the earliest campaign in the nation's history, Sen. John Kerry has already stumbled out of the gate by offending gay voters and their allies. On an unofficial campaign stop in Louisiana, Kerry scolded the Massachusetts Democratic Party for its anticipated approval of a party platform plank supporting the freedom to marry.

"I think it's a mistake. I think it's the wrong thing, and I'm not sure it reflects the broad view of the Democratic Party in our state," said Kerry.

Actually, a mistake was choosing a war hero as the Democratic nominee who inexplicably allowed his Republican opponents to paint him as a war zero who didn't earn his medals. But that is a story for another day.

Fortunately, chairman of the Massachusetts Democrats, Philip W. Johnston, rebuked Kerry's stance.

"I have great affection and respect for John, but I disagree on this issue," Johnston said. "It is important that the state Democratic Party support civil rights. We need to take a stand."

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said he supports the inclusive platform language.

Apparently, so do people in Massachusetts. A poll recently taken by the Boston Globe highlights strong statewide support for the freedom to marry, with 56 percent in favor and only 37 percent of residents in opposition. The poll also found that 71 percent of Democrats, 53 percent of Independents, and 35 percent of Republicans all support marriage equality.

One reason John Kerry lost the election is because people viewed him as a waffling flip-flopper who would choose the politically expedient over what was moral and just. One of Bush's biggest applause lines was when he said that you might not agree with him, but at least you knew where he stood.

Kerry should have stolen a page from Bush's playbook and supported same sex marriage. He could have used it to his advantage by saying, "I've always made tough choices, because that is what leadership is about. It was unpopular when I spoke out against the Vietnam War, after I returned home from service. And it might not be politically popular today, but I support the freedom to marry because it is the right thing to do."

Instead of such a bold statement, Kerry equivocated on the issue and played right into the hands of the Bush campaign. Kerry claimed that he did not support a Constitutional Amendment to the federal Constitution barring same-sex marriage. Yet, he expressed support for a Constitutional ban in Massachusetts. This politically calculated stance didn't fool anyone. Kerry looked like a flip flopping political opportunist. His position on same-sex marriage helped solidify the public's view of him as untrustworthy.

When people said that "moral values" were important, they were not just talking about opposition to homosexuality and abortion. They were speaking of integrity, honesty and having the spine to do the right thing. Kerry clearly hasn't learned the lessons of 2004, as he prematurely lurches towards 2008.

With nearly four years until Election Day, Kerry has already lost my vote. In this case, the early bird turned out to be a worm. Kerry can be a leader or a loser, and unfortunately, he chose the latter.

5 Comments:

That Kerry can't be trusted. Because of his stance on gay rights, I stayed home this election and didn't vote. I can't stand Bush, but Kerry - I just did not see him as a trustworthy option.

Mort
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