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Dems Court Rainbow Vote

At Forum debate, Hillary's pink; Obama's on the brink; Edwards, Richardson stink

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 10, 2007 11:37 AM CDT
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(Newser) – All of the Democrats who appeared at last night’s gay rights forum touted their support of sponsor Human Rights Campaign—but it was Hillary Clinton who aced the tightrope test, according to Time’s Mark Halperin. Hillary managed to oppose gay marriage without playing defense, all the while supplying “major doses of Clintonesque eye contact.”

Barack Obama scored an ‘A-’ by comparing current laws on gay rights to 1960s anti-miscegenation statutes—but the former law professor spoke “conversationally, rather than passionately” on human rights. Bill Richardson made out worst, earning a 'C' for suggesting that being gay is a choice, while John Edwards obfuscated in trying to explain his apparently fungible positions.

Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton,D-NY, right, speaks to moderator Margaret Carlson and panelists from left Jonathan Capeheart of the Washington Post, singer Melissa Etheridge, and President of the Human Rights Campaign Joe Solmonese at the Visible Vote '08
Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton,D-NY, right, speaks to moderator Margaret Carlson and panelists from left Jonathan Capeheart of the Washington Post, singer Melissa Etheridge, and President...   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. says goodbye to panelists from left Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post, singer Melissa Etheridge, and President of the Human Rights Campaign Joe Solmonese are shown at the Visible Vote '08
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. says goodbye to panelists from left Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post, singer Melissa Etheridge, and President of the Human Rights Campaign Joe Solmonese...   (Associated Press)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., smiles during an appearance at a fundraiser Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, in Los Angeles after her speech at the Human Rights Campaign forum. (AP Photo/Anne Cusack, Pool)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., smiles during an appearance at a fundraiser Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, in Los Angeles after her speech at the Human Rights Campaign forum. (AP Photo/Anne Cusack, Pool)   (Associated Press)
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Panelist Melissa Etheridge had trouble not "fawning" over Dennis Kucinich
Los Angeles Times

Dems appeared in the order they'd accepted the invitation; Obama was first
The Advocate

Blogger: "Man, oh man, did Governor Bill Richardson stink or what?"
Queerty

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • gay rights • John Edwards • Bill Richardson • gay marriage • human rights • presidential campaign • Human Rights Campaign • miscegenation • Election 2008

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