Liveblogging the LGBT Democratic Presidential Forum

Well, the live blog is now over. Here at the Linn County Obama for America office the reviews are mixed.

The format was well received as were Hillary Clinton’s color-coordinated jacket and beads. Many felt the candidates came across as more human and there was a real sense of getting to hear substance and not just quick soundbytes.

The feeling is that John Edwards and Bill Richardson danced around issues — that maybe Clinton and Richardson were defensive. Barack Obama, of course, was one of the room favorites.

My opinion is the big story is not who did well, because most did, but who was really horrible. While credit should be given to each candidate for coming, speaking and placing themselves “out there,” I’m wondering if Gov. Bill Richardson might have been better served by staying at home.7:50 p.m. — I’ve arrived at the Linn County Obama for America office and we’re roughly 15 minutes away from the start of the LGBT Presidential Forum. People are still filing into the office, grabbing a slice of pizza and settling in for the show.

It was previously announced that Sen. Joe Biden would not be in attendance at this forum. Rumors are circulating around the room that Sen. Chris Dodd, who was previously confirmed, has also taken a pass. I guess we’ll know for sure once the event gets underway.

As always your comments during the blogging are welcome.

8:00 p.m. and we are underway.

Interesting set-up… we have the panelists sitting on a sofa with the moderator. Not sure if it is going to stay that way.

Candidates will appear in the order they confirmed.

8:05 p.m. — Sen. Barack Obama enters the arena to a standing ovation.

Thanks to HRC and Logo for setting this up, he says. Glad to be here and glad to be the first who committed to be here.

Joe Solmonese asks the first question — What place does the church have in government-sanctioned civil unions?

Belief, he says, that government has to treat all equal. Wants to make sure rights conferred by the state are equal to all people. Supporter of a strong version of civil unions. I don’t think the church should be making these determinations when it comes to legal rights conferred by the state.

Q: How is what you say any different than separate but equal?

A: When my parents were married… discusses the correlations between interracial marriage and gay marriage. “Not for me to suggest you shouldn’t be troubled by this. My job as president is to determine that the rights of couples across the country are recognized by my administration across the country.”

Q: Why does religion own the word marriage?

A: Semantics may be important to some, but I need to see that those rights are available to everyone. All people need civil rights under the law.

Q: (from Melissa Etheridge) First says how honored she is to be at this debate and representing the community. You have this reputation of being an incredible orator — you touch many of us, she says — If elected president, what will you do to bring the country back together?

A: Part of the reason LGBT issues are important to me is because I got into politics because I didn’t like some people looking down on other people. There is a hopefulness within him, he says, and also within most Americans. Key question for next president is if we can tap back into that core? We need to acknowledge the reality of what people live with every day.

8:15 p.m. — continuing with Obama…

Melissa says she grew up believing in this country and believing in our documents. She believes all people are equal. She also encourages Obama to lead and not be afraid.

Jonathan Capehart, a journalist with the WaPo, wants to know how Obama is going to speak with the black community about their homophobia.

I already have, says Obama. He did it when he was discussing AIDS… he did it while in Tennessee. “Discussed how the notion of gay marriages has been used in black churches to divide.” Asked minister to show him an instance of how a traditional marriage has been broken up as a result of two men or two women being together, they should show him.

Q: You are running as a candidate of change, but how can that be when your stances are “old school”?

A: “Oh come on now!” I’ve got a track record of working with the LGBT community. I will focus on the rights provided by the federal, state and local governments are the ones that are provided to everyone. I don’t make promises I can’t keep, he says.

Q: Would you put the fight for gays and lesbians for civil rights on par with those of African-Americans?

A: I worry about getting into comparisons of victimology, he says. The situation is different, but there are similarities. I’m going to be more sympathetic not because I’m black, but because this has been the cause of my life.

8:20 p.m. — Obama is given a summary statement. He says all candidates are going to be terrific on this issue and that’s a good thing. He wants people to know he doesn’t talk about these issues when it is only convenient.

8:22 p.m. — John Edwards is up, also a standing ovation. The local folks here at the Obama office are announcing Barack Obama will be hosting a conference call shortly for those who want more information.

Melissa welcomes Edwards to the stage. She says she and Elizabeth Edwards share their suffering with cancer and their ability to afford the best health care. Segways into a question about health care/insurance rights for gay couples.

Edwards first thanks everyone and begins touting his health care plan as universal and available for everyone. Says he met a group of young people at the LA Gay and Lesbian Center who were homeless because they told their parents they were gay. Says he’s shocked that anyone in America would consider throwing young people out just because they were gay.

Melissa says — heard you said you feel uncomfortable around gay people. Are you comfortable now?

Edwards — “Can I just tell you that’s not true… what you just said.”

Melissa — apologizes. Should schools teach about gay families?

Edwards — yes. Children need to understand these are American families just as all other families. We have thousands of children in foster care who could benefit from a gay or lesbian family — they need a family.

What grade or age would you introduce?

Good question, but I haven’t thought about it enough to answer.

Jonathan asks: Why should gay community think it will be protect this time around by you when many feel you let them down in 2004?

Edwards — we cannot let this hate foster anymore. I was very proud of my wife, Elizabeth, for taking on Ann Coulter. If we let hate stand, more people will use it. We have to stand up for what’s right and fair and we have to do it with passion and strength.

8:30 p.m. — continuing with Edwards. Says he believes what Ann Coulter does goes to the lowest common denominator of people.

Q: If a member of your staff comes to you and tells you they are transgender and thinking of transitioning… also who in your life has influenced this thinking?

A: We need powerful employment non-discrimination laws in this county. Says he would support the employee. (This is really soft-ball question — how could he give any other answer?)

Q: What is it within your religion that leads to oppose same-sex marriage?

A: I should not have said that… my campaign is about equality. It makes perfect sense to me now how people could view gay marriage vs. civil unions as separate but equal. Says what he believes as far a religion is not something he should press on the American people.

He adds that Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell is wrong and was wrong from the beginning. Says he still doesn’t not agree with gay marriage, but will support same-sex unions.

Q: Missed the full text, but it has to do with Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

A: Says he’s firmly committed to eliminating Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

In Summary — “America owes you a debt of gratitude. If we believe in having one America we have a lot of work to do and no one knows that better than the people in this room. … We are better than this. We and all of you are important in bringing about the change that is necessary to this country. The real change and the real movements in the oval office. They began in the communities and places just like this.”

8:41 p.m. — Here comes Dennis Kucinich

“We really like you here on the left coast.”
Imagine that equal sign behind us inside a heart. What we are really talking about here is human love. People who love it each other must have a way to express that in a way that is meaningful.

Are you saying Edwards and Obama are wrong or playing politics?

“I’m saying I stand for real equality.” (Good for Dennis for not taking the bait.)

8:45 p.m. — continuing with Kucinich…

“The greatest commandment is love,” he says. “Love has a transformative power.”

“Dennis, you are so evolved for a member of Congress.”

Have you felt this way all your life?

To me it really doesn’t matter who is gay… didn’t matter when he was Mayor, he says.

“We can lift up the nation in a wide variety of ways — in peace, in equality.”

Q from Melissa: I hope you always run for President until you are elected.

Dennis says it took him 5 times to be elected to Congress.

Q: Many people with health problems have benefited from legalized marijuana. Should it be legal for the whole country?

A: Many years ago when there were raids in congress, I objected to that. This should be between the doctor and patient. As president I would make sure that our justice dept. was mindful of taking a compassionate approach.

Drugs in society should be looked at as a medical and health issue in lieu of a criminal issue, he says.

Says he’s the only person in the campaign standing for a single-payer, non-profit health care plan.

8:50 p.m. — Kucinich is still on stage.

How are you going to get elected President?

I am the candidate in the center of America’s hopes and dreams. No other candidate stood up against the march to war in Iraq. I took a stand when it was really unpopular to do so. Being president means that you have to do the right thing the first time.

My candidacy is not only transforming the race, but will transform the nation… my heart is clean… I cannot be bought… I see the world as one.

Viewer-generated question: Living with AIDS and speak regularly to students in high school. No longer funded — will you fix this?

A: I’m the co-author of the bill that creates Medicare for all. This is a very serious health issue. A president must help our country and our children do the things to be healthy — including sex education. We also need a president who is ready to embrace people with AIDS.

Q from Joe: Thanks for being outspoken your entire time in Congress. How can we get things done like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act?

A: We need to acknowledge the role Barney Frank has played. I worked with HRC in the past, he says, and look forward to do so more in the future.

9:00 p.m. — a note that all Republican candidates were invited to take part in a similar forum, but all declined.

Now we are taking a quick break. (My fingers are so happy!)

8:58 p.m. — Closing statement for Kucinich

“I send you great love. I want you to know that the love of the country, the love of equality, is something that everyone of us embodies, but we need a President to exemplify that. I cannot imagine what it would have been to have met the love of my life and then been told I couldn’t be married. That would be devastating. Because I understand that, I’m ready to be your next president.”

9:04 p.m. — We’re back with Mike Gravel (looks like he left his YouTube rock at home)

Q from Melissa: “You are unusual from your generation of straight white men” How do you speak to your generation?

A: First, he wants to thank his friends for getting him to the debate. Says he was originally “cut out of the pack.”

Says public sentiment is turning in relation to gay issues.

Melissa wants to know if there are many gay folks in Alaska.

Gravel says yes and lists a few of his friends.

Q: Do you think it is changing enough that you can put gay marriage up for a vote and have it win?

A: Yes, I think so.

9:08 p.m. — Gravel continued…

Marriage is a commitment between two human beings in love, says Gravel, not a religious establishment. “If there is anything we need more of in this world it is more love,” he says.

(I’m feeling all gushy and flighty with all this talk of love.)

Q from Jonathan: Can’t understand why people are supporting Obama, Edwards, Clinton over you?

A: People are playing it safe. They don’t care — they are playing a game in order to gain votes. This stance isn’t bringing me votes… it’s costing me votes.

Q: Did we go for marriage too soon?

A: I don’t think so. By telling people that you can’t use the word marriage — which has been misappropriated by religion — what you have to do is recognize that when people are telling you that you can’t be married is them telling you that you are second-class citizens.

In too many areas of our society we are adolescents. We haven’t had much leadership in the past 50 years to help us mature.

Q from Joe: Take a look back and tell us what you have done to advance rights that you are most proud of?

A: First piece of legislation in Alaska… I used political capital… it was the Human Rights Commission of Alaska. That was my first accomplishment and I felt it deeply. I’m not afraid of this issue… it shows the competition to be very weak. (Excellent point!)

9:15 p.m. — continuing with Gravel

Q: How help people with AIDS?

A: We have to do better with health care. We have to address the whole drug issue — no difference between marijuana and booze. It is the same of this country that we have so many millions of people in prison — prohibition failed in the 20s and here we go again.

The drug war.. not the drugs… is ravaging the inner cities.

Closing statement —

“For me it is justice and it’s human rights — it’s not just gay rights. You’ve got to assert your rights. No one is going to give you anything from on high. You have to step forward and I’ll stand up with you. I’ll do more for your cause than any other human being that walks the planet as your president.”

9:20 p.m. — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has entered the room.

Q from Jonathan — A the CNN YouTube debate you said you’d focus less on marriage and more on what’s achievable?

A: The nation is on a path to full inclusion. What is achievable is civil unions with full marriage rights with domestic partnership. We also need to redress some of the gross imbalances in the past.

We should get rid of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell. If you are asking someone to die, you don’t need to be giving them a lecture on sexual orientation.

9:25 p.m. — Richardson continued…

“You need to bring the public along — build public support.”

Q: You were asked by Imus if a staff member was a Spanish word that translates to “faggot” — do you regret taking part in this exchange and using that word?

A: I meant no harm when I said that on Imus. I was caught off guard. I apologize. You should look at my actions and not my words.

I’ve made mistakes and said things I regret. Richardson lists off things he’s done for the gay community in New Mexico. “Fully funded HIV/AIDS initiatives across the state.”

“Governor, I think everyone gets one mistake on Imus.”

How many states have DOMA, he asks. New Mexico doesn’t. Says he should get credit for that.

If the New Mexico hands you a marriage amendment, would you sign it?

Richardson says he isn’t going to give “flowery speeches” like others tonight. Says he will do what is achievable.

The panel seems to be getting frustrated with Richardson who is avoiding answering the question of where his heart is.

9:30 p.m. — Richardson continued…

Do you think homosexuality is born or learned?

I’m not a scientist, he says. I don’t like to answer definitions like that, that might be grounded in science or other things I don’t understand.

“As a Hispanic I grew up with people thinking that because of my darker skin that I wasn’t equal. Across the board, I’ve always felt every human being deserves the same rights.”

Melissa says she’s lived in Santa Fe and wonders about the Bark Beetles. (???)

Is homosexuality something that is a lifestyle choice and can be cured?

I don’t think it is a matter of preferences, I think it is a matter of equality. I have not only spoken about these issues, he says, I’ve done it.

Richardson closing statement —

Melissa, admire your efforts with breast cancer and environment.

“I want to lead this country because I believe I have the most experience and because I represent change. I also believe that I’m electable. Look at my record as a congressman and governor and see what I’ve done. The issues here, I’ve delivered on them and I’ll do the same as president.”

9:35 p.m. — Hillary Rodham Clinton is here. The last candidate. Does that mean she was the last to confirm?

The folks in the room are wondering if we’re going to have to hear about her cleavage again all today tomorrow.

Q: What about Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell

A: First, thanks to all. Simple answer is that we didn’t have a chance to repeal it with a Republican Congress and a “very negative” president. I want to do it as President.

We are talking now about steps to make in the Congress once we have a change in the White House.

I came out against Don’t Ask, Don’t tell in 1999. It was done by my husband’s administration at a time when there was a witch hunt going on. Important to recall how much of an advance Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was at the time, she says, although it wasn’t implemented appropriately.

9:40 p.m. — Clinton continued…

She’s still talking about the history of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell — how it came about, why it isn’t working.

Ends by saying when she’s president something will be done.

Q: Why oppose same-sex marriage.

A: Prefer to say I’m very positive about same-sex unions. (Gets a laugh from the audience there and here.)

In favor of civil unions of full equality, she says. She also believes states should maintain their jurisdictions over marriage. Gives HRC credit for leadership in stopping the federal marriage amendment, says it gave the states breathing room to make their own decisions.

Q: Can you sympathize with the concern that it is a state’s rights issue — it seems to work against the gay community?

A: I do see that and I respect the advocacy the community is doing on behalf of marriage, she says. “This has not been a long-term struggle left,” she says. (What’s that? The gay community hasn’t suffered long enough?)

She says the Republicans and Karl Rove have tried to use marriage as a political tool — we should be grateful for the Defense of Marriage Act.

Q from Melissa: I came out publicly during Clinton’s inaugural week — in the years that follow, we were thrown under the bus. Promises were broken. I understand politics and how hard it is… what are you going to do to be different?

A: Obviously, I don’t see it quite the way you describe it… I think that we didn’t get as much done as I would have liked, but I believe there was a lot of honest effort going on. I remember marching in gay pride parade in New York City when I was running for Senate.

I think I am a gay leader now, she says in response to Melissa’s interruption question as to “why not be a leader now?”

“If I was sitting where you are sitting over the past 14 years, I think I’d feel the same way,” said Clinton.

As president she says she will have an opportunity to end the degrading not only of rights but of people as individuals.

9:50 p.m. — Why didn’t you respond to Pace immediately?

A: I did, she says. I went right at him on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Says she thought she did a good job, but then the phone started ringing and she realized that maybe she didn’t say enough or focused to heavily on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

(Clinton was asked about “I’m your girl” and she repeated it AGAIN!!!)

Closing statement —

“This country with all of its flaws has demonstrated a lot of resilience. As the years unfold we will see more. There are members who have suffered through a long period of suffering… I want to be a president who can clearly say to the American people that these are people we want to support as they live the best life they can. We won’t agree on everything, but I will be a president who will work for you. I hope we can be partners in trying to make our country a little bit better.”