Kerry Defends His Reference to Cheney's Lesbian Daughter

NYTIMES ^ | 10/16/04 | JODI WILGOREN

[Pikamax]

October 16, 2004 Kerry Defends His Reference to Cheney's Lesbian Daughter By JODI WILGOREN

enator John Kerry said yesterday that his reference to Vice President Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter Mary in this week's debate was made "constructively and respectfully," even as the White House press secretary said the president did "not believe it was appropriate."

The controversy over Mr. Kerry's comment, which echoed one his running mate, John Edwards, made the week before in a debate with Mr. Cheney, reverberated for a second day on cable television and talk radio. Democrats accused Republicans of focusing on the fuss to distract from larger issues, while gay rights groups marveled at the attention.

Mary Cheney, who has a prominent role in her father's re-election effort and previously coordinated gay outreach for the Coors beer company, remained quiet on the question. Her sister, Liz, said on CNN that the Democrats seemed to be trying to "exploit her" by bringing "her up in a situation where they're clearly trying to make some kind of political point."

Mr. Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee, noted in an interview with CNN that the Cheneys had discussed their daughter's sexuality publicly, and he said the point he was trying to make was that "they've embraced her and they love her."

"It was meant as a very constructive comment, in a positive way," Mr. Kerry said of his response to a question over whether homosexuality was a choice. "I respect their love for their daughter and I respect who she is, as they do." He added: "I think it was a way of saying, 'Look, she's who she is.' I have great respect for her, great respect for them. It was meant constructively in terms of their love and affection for a person who is who she is."

Mr. Kerry's aides said they had not discussed the merits of mentioning Ms. Cheney in preparing him for questions about same-sex marriage, and denied that having both men on their ticket raise her sexuality in the debate was intended either to unsettle the opposition or alienate the Republicans' conservative base.

"There was no goal and there was no strategy beyond, I think, complimenting the Cheneys for being good parents," said Joe Lockhart, a senor Kerry spokesman who was involved in debate preparations. "There were dozens and dozens of hours about how to discuss Social Security, Iraq and other issues. There was no discussion of this."

But Matthew Dowd, Mr. Bush's chief campaign strategist, said the comment seemed calculated.

"This is an insight into him, that he'd bring people's children into the debate to try to get a benefit from it," Mr. Dowd said of Mr. Kerry. "We think this is something that he shouldn't have done, and they think it's fine to have done, and that's the difference. We wouldn't have brought up John Kerry's children or Elizabeth Edwards's children."

Leaders of gay groups said they were surprised at the subject's staying power and argued that the Republicans' reaction showed they think homosexuality remained something to be hidden. They doubted the incident would affect the outcome of the race, because voters who were likely to be moved in either direction by gay rights were already firmly planted because of President Bush's support for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

"He didn't say she was an ax murderer, he didn't say she did anything wrong, he just said she was gay, which is a fact of life, like her hair color," said Cheryl Jacques, president of the Human Rights Campaign, the leading national gay political group. "If he had said something about Liz being married with three kids, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

[2Fro]

Horse pucky!

[sockmonkey]

I heard him on televison. He sounded ill. He sounds and looks ill a lot. Even if he wasn't a total jerk, I don't think he is physically well enough to handle the demands of the Presidency.

[Westlander]

One word comment. Pig.

[Conservative Texan Mom]

Mr. Kerry, I saw and heard the way you said it! It was vindictive!

[TYVets]

"This is an insight into him, that he'd bring people's children into the debate to try to get a benefit from it," Mr. Dowd said of Mr. Kerry

He was hoping for votes, it cost him votes.

[Lijahsbubbe]

He didn't say she was an ax murderer, he didn't say she did anything wrong, he just said she was gay, which is a fact of life, like her hair color,"

Well Cheryl obviously you're a little thick. Kerry didn't just mention that Mary was gay. He fantasized about what he thought Mary might say and didn't answer the question about what he thought himself. Not to mention the fact that rule is you don't drag family members into political campaigns, much less Presidential Debates.

[JLS]

This is great. The more Kerry defends this:

1. The more we know it is hurting him.

2. The worse he is making himself look.

3. The more he is reminding voters of his classlessness.

[freestyle]

"Republicans' reaction showed they think homosexuality remained something to be hidden"

That is such crap revere spin BS! The point is (that no one gets) is that Kerry **U S E D** the name of a gay person HE DOES NOT KNOW (and who does not support him) to make his point about how he "thinks" she feels. That is ridiculous. And why bring the other candidates children into the debate to make **ANY** point?

There was obvious MOTIVE behind what Kerry did and whether it was consious or unconsious it is a low class move. Either way he was wrong, and not presidential.

[DrDavid]

I'm torn.

Do we give Kerry more rope or a shovel?

[goldstategop]

He has to defend his lack of class! Wow, talk about the Wellstone Memorial Rally all over again. The Democrats still don't get it.

[Keith in Iowa]

Apparently, Kerry does not know the rule of holes - When you're in one, quit diggin'.

[goldstategop]

It couldn't be worse than justifying turning a memorial service into a political rally. <sarcasm

[PeterOmaha]

yes .... god has a reason for everything .....

[valkyrieanne]

The point is (that no one gets) is that Kerry **U S E D** the name of a gay person HE DOES NOT KNOW (and who does not support him) to make his point about how he "thinks" she feels.

Oh, well, of *course* Kerry knows how Cheney's daughter feels - after all, as a gay woman, she *obviously* must support Kerry, right? Aren't all gay people liberal Democrats? However, the ploy failed miserably.

[tallhappy]

In debate 4 on an alternative planet:

Shaffer: Mr Resident, our nation has an epidemic of obesity and being overweight. Should obese people be stopped from eating junk food for their own health?

A: Well, the wife of the vice-Presidential candidate, Mrs Tedwards, is quite overweight, and ask her. She'll tell you she wants her Arby's. She wants her junk food. And who are we, or the government, to tell her how to live her life?

---

---

---

---

How do you think THAT would go over in the mainstream media?

Would it be fair game?

If they complained would it be fair to say, "they're just ashamed that she's so fat"?

[NewMediaFan]

[Question Liberal Authority]

Let me constructively and respectfully say that after seeing Kerry's daughter at Cannes, she would make an above average stripper.

If that is her choice.

[Question Liberal Authority]

It couldn't be worse than justifying turning a memorial service into a political rally.

Or using the occassion of a crippled man's death to attack the president for not spending more money on unproven research.

[Inyokern]

Apparently, Kerry does not know the rule of holes - When you're in one, quit diggin'.

He is getting advice from Dan Rather.