Kerry's Answer in the 3rd debate

[jamesfus]

The following link is to an article about the reaction to fact that John Kerry actually answered a question that was asked of him, “Do you believe homosexuality is a choice

Comments

[nospinchris]

My problem with what Kerry said is the very fact that he has gay Americans that he actually knows, personally. Take Barney Frank, the first openly gay congressman and a fellow Massachusetts Democrat. Take Governor Jim McGreevy or Dick Gephardt's daughter. Why couldn't Senator Kerry make his point using someone he knows, instead of the daughter of the opposing vice-presidential nominee

Agreed

[mike_sieg]

I had been thinking the same thing as you on this issue. The fact that he chose Cheney is that it is obviously a sensitive issue with him. I have no doubt that he loves his daughter but her situation sometimes puts him in a difficult position. John Kerry strayed from politics and went into personal matters. Personal matters should usually never be brought into politics espicially in this case because it involves an 'innocent', Mary Cheney. Like you pointed out, he should have used other people who are gay or have gay family members as examples and not gone personal. Also, why isn't Kerry getting any flak for saying 'God's children'. If Bush had brought that up the media whould have had a s*** fit.

[onefnjeep]

Applause for Kerry answering the question because when the question was first asked to Bush he talked about gay marriage. If the question had actually been about gay marriage then he would have done a good job, but it wasn't and it fits the mold of the way Bush communicates: answer the question you want to answer. As far as calling out Cheney's daughter, I thought it was brilliant. He is attacking Bush by dividing the Republican ticket. If you are for gay rights should you support Bush eventhough Cheney holds an opposing stance? We read in Jameson that by dividing a party helps the cause of the opposition and I think that is exactly what Kerry was trying to do.

[csa945]

Bush DID answer the question. The first words out of his mouth were "I don't know [if people chose to be homosexual or not]." I wouldn't describe Kerry painting himself into a corner and appearing cold, indifferent and manipulating would be described as "brilliant." When a focus group of independent voters was polled about the candidates' performances during the debate, Kerry's numbers went through the floor when he brought up Mary Cheney. It was a very bad move on his part, and will do very little in the end to drive evangelicals away from Bush. Cheney isn't running for president and he doesn't make policy. Everyone understands this. I would say that for every voter Kerry turned off to Bush with that remark, he turned off ten from himself.

[waltonme]

In hindsight Kerry's comment was a bad move, but personally I don't think it had that much premeditated political motivation or malicious intent. I think Kerry genuinely believed what he said and was actually paying the Cheney's a compliment, in their acceptance of who Mary is. He could have chosen other examples, true, but very few would know who he was talking about. Just by her last name everyone knows who Mary is, so I suppose that using her over someone else was political, but Kerry made the statement not so much as an attack on Bush's party, but as a thorough touching explanation of his views on the issue. He was reaching out to the Cheney's. Unfortunately most of the public disagrees and he's been getting backlash from all corners.

Yes, Bush did answer the question, but only with that brief "I don't know". He then avoided elaborating on this real answer by moving onto the slightly different, if connected, issue of gay rights. He's good at that sort of evasion.