Posted on 10/14/2004 3:11:58 PM PDT by Nachum
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Vice President Dick Cheney called himself "a pretty angry father" on Thursday after Sen. John Kerry mentioned their gay daughter during the final presidential debate - comments Kerry said were meant to be positive about families with gay children.
The vice president's wife, Lynne Cheney, called Kerry "not a good man" and his remarks about daughter Mary Cheney "a cheap and tawdry political trick." Meanwhile, Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of vice presidential candidate John Edwards, suggested in a radio interview that Mrs. Cheney might feel "a certain degree of shame" because her daughter is a lesbian.
Mary Cheney, one of two Cheney daughters, is openly gay and an official in the Bush-Cheney campaign. The vice president has spoken at length about his daughter's sexuality and his view of gay relationships, even disagreeing with the president about the need for a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriages.
Asked Wednesday night by debate moderator Bob Schieffer whether homosexuality is a choice, Kerry said: "We're all God's children, Bob, and I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney's daughter, who is a lesbian, she would tell you that she's being who she was. She's being who she was born as. I think if you talk to anybody, it's not a choice."
Kerry issued a statement Thursday after the Cheneys had expressed anger over his remarks: "I love my daughters. They love their daughter. I was trying to say something positive about the way strong families deal with this issue."
Cheney told supporters at a rally Thursday in Fort Myers, "You saw a man who will do and say anything to get elected, and I am not just speaking as a father here, although I am a pretty angry father." He made no other reference to Kerry's remarks about his daughter.
Mrs. Cheney, introducing her husband in a post-debate appearance Wednesday night in Coraopolis, Pa., also avoided a specific reference to her daughter's sexuality when she made clear she thought Kerry had crossed a line into family privacy.
"Now, you know, I did have a chance to assess John Kerry once more and now the only thing I could conclude: This is not a good man," Mrs. Cheney said. "Of course, I am speaking as a mom, and a pretty indignant mom. This is not a good man. What a cheap and tawdry political trick."
In an interview Thursday with ABC Radio, Elizabeth Edwards said of Mrs. Cheney: "She's overreacted to this and treated it as if it's shameful to have this discussion. I think that's a very sad state of affairs. ... I think that it indicates a certain degree of shame with respect to her daughter's sexual preferences. ... It makes me really sad that that's Lynne's response."
Cheney expressed no objection when Edwards brought up Mary Cheney during their debate. Edwards expressed "respect for the fact that they're willing to talk about the fact that they have a gay daughter, the fact that they embrace her. It's a wonderful thing."
Cheney thanked his opponent for the "kind words he said about my family and our daughter. I appreciate that very much."
Bush said in their debate he does not know whether homosexuality is a choice or fate. He and Kerry spoke of their belief that marriage is the union of man and woman, but the president supports a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and the Democrat does not. Kerry supports giving gay couples many of the civil rights that come with marriage, while stopping short of conferring that status on same-sex couples.
In an interview in the Oct. 26 issue of the gay magazine The Advocate, Kerry said gay Americans should support his candidacy because he will appoint Supreme Court justices who will fight for equality and a fair interpretation of the equal protection clause and due process. He said he pays a political price for opposing attempts at "gay bashing" in the Senate.
"The difference between me and George Bush will be the difference to gay and lesbian couples and individuals across this country - whether rights are afforded them or whether or not they are discriminated against," Kerry said. He added, "If people take a walk on those things, life's going to be worse."
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Associated Press Writer Joe Mandak in Coraopolis, Pa., contributed to this report.
Insert burger.
A year later, Wade, then 16, died when the Jeep he was driving swerved out of control. Fierce crosswinds "swept my boy off the road," Edwards wrote in his book, "Four Trials."
This says that the son was driving.
Someone who lies about his faith. Now you see the modern liberal.
SELFISH HEDONIST! I'M-A CALLING DOWN THE FIRE OF GOD ON HER!
Kerry is picking and choosing parts of scripture that fit his given need at the time. He is not unlike many professing Christians who believe only certain parts of the bible that suit their given position or to justify their sinful lifestyles, i.e. practicing homosexuals who claim Christ. In his case he'll stand by anything that will help him get elected. He is abusing the Holy scriptures to gain office. He is one scary individual and I hope the majority of America will see it by election day.
"You can put lipstick on a pig and it's still a pig". Hmmm, did Cheney make a funny about Elizabeth?
Ah, Okay.. Thanks for clearing that up.
If Kerry is election, will he bring him back?
election = elected...
Sheese.. sorry about that.
ping
Yep the Edwards and Kerry families are fair game but you know what? I think the Bushes and Cheneys have more class and wouldn't stoop to the same low that the WT have.
He was a brand new driver of 16 and was driving an Explorer (I think) to the beach on I-40; they said a gust of wind pushed it off the road.
He was the driver; he was not buckled in.
I know I'm bad but I had to laugh.
I'm just sure stem cell research will bring back his son.
Or, if not, he can channel him.
Very well said. Only a liberal could state that the President discriminates against blacks with a straight face
And don't forget -- he was an altar boy.
And don't forget he was a hunter too.
Hey, anyone check Mass. records for Kerry's hunting license applications? Would they be on file?
I agree.. Maybe they can ramp up cloning. Goodness sakes, imagine all the ills of the world that could be eradicated with Queen Kerry on the throne. With a wave of his tax wand, no mo hunger. Another wave or fifty over Tarayza's head, and mental illness would be cured. 90 million waves over Lizzy 'Con Carne' Edwards, and Kerry would have a tricep... (gotcha!)
Kerry's remarks about the Cheney's daughter is only one in a long line of cheap political tricks. He had no right to call out Ms. Cheney.
I wonder what she'd say if people started questioning her son's death -- and his driving skills. Or how she'd respond if asked how her older daughter is dealing with the fact that after her older brother died, her parents rushed to be become middle-aged parents -- as if she wasn't enough for them...
Or maybe Kerry himself should shut his stupid mouth about Cheney's kids and start addressing his daughters' bizarre sexual acting out: one wears a see-through dress at Cannes, and the other publicly announces (at their convention) that she "knows every inch" of her father's body.
Frankly, I believe that families (especially kids) should be left out of this, but if they want to keep opening that door, they better gird themselves for blowback -- although the GOP is too classy to give them what they truly deserve.
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