Conservative columnist Bob Novak is trying to stir up trouble
for John Kerry in his Aug. 7 column when he writes:
John Kerry's official Web site last week deleted his advocacy of homosexuals in the military after the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported on this disclosure of the Democratic presidential candidate's position.
Before the language was eliminated, the Web site said bringing gays into the military was one of Sen. Kerry's "priorities." The page on homosexual issues had gone on to say: "John Kerry opposed the Clinton administration's Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy. He was one of the few senators to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee and call on the president to rescind the ban on gay and lesbian service members."
Kerry does not mention the issue in his speeches, and the party platform is mute on gays in the military.
Novak is no friend of gays and his motive is to embarrass the Kerry/Edwards campaign. Nevertheless, it's more evidence of Kerry's tendency to buckle under and abandon us at the first sign of opposition. No doubt, he believes he has little to fear by taking the gay vote for granted -- which is largely true, because gay political groups have given him a green light to do just that. But if Kerry doesn't make a case for revoking government discrimination now, he clearly won't be able to claim a mandate to do so once in office.
I'm not suggesting that Bush is "better." But if we want the
Democrats to give us something, then gay "leaders" must
stop being partisan sycophants
and at least hint that the gay vote could stay home on election day
(or vote for Nader or the Libertarian candidate).
Fear of losing customers is what motivates good service. The
same is true in politics. The religious right understands this, and
its leaders constantly tell Karl Rove they'll stay home if Bush
takes them for granted. If only gay leaders would show as much
spine.
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