Comments on: Mary Cheney Sends a $1,000 Love Letter to Anti-Gay Rob Portman http://lawdork.net/2009/08/31/mary-cheney-sends-a-1000-love-letter-to-anti-gay-rob-portman/ Same dork, new year! Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:36:15 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Chris http://lawdork.net/2009/08/31/mary-cheney-sends-a-1000-love-letter-to-anti-gay-rob-portman/#comment-2627 Chris Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:33:03 +0000 http://lawdork.net/?p=3464#comment-2627 Yes, James, the two Democrats have less of a pro-gay record than Ted Kennedy. Most everyone in the country does. You've created a distinction that, for purposes of this post, is without a difference. Both candidates are on the record with completely pro-LGBT positions and their record in government gives no suggestion that they are anything less than genuine in holding those positions. Yes, there are questions to be asked about <em>how</em> the candidates will advance LGBT equality in the U.S. Senate (a discussion in which I have engaged and will engage again), but that doesn't take away from the reality of this race: The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Ohio is the most pro-gay primary election choice we've ever had in Ohio. And Mary Cheney is supporting the anti-gay Republican opponent of these two. Yes, James, the two Democrats have less of a pro-gay record than Ted Kennedy. Most everyone in the country does. You’ve created a distinction that, for purposes of this post, is without a difference. Both candidates are on the record with completely pro-LGBT positions and their record in government gives no suggestion that they are anything less than genuine in holding those positions.

Yes, there are questions to be asked about how the candidates will advance LGBT equality in the U.S. Senate (a discussion in which I have engaged and will engage again), but that doesn’t take away from the reality of this race: The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Ohio is the most pro-gay primary election choice we’ve ever had in Ohio.

And Mary Cheney is supporting the anti-gay Republican opponent of these two.

]]> By: Dannon http://lawdork.net/2009/08/31/mary-cheney-sends-a-1000-love-letter-to-anti-gay-rob-portman/#comment-2626 Dannon Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:26:30 +0000 http://lawdork.net/?p=3464#comment-2626 James, I don't think that Chris' characterization of Fisher and Brunner's records as "pro-gay" is necessarily a stretch. Both candidates have come out in support of gay marriage, Brunner especially. Even if you don't call their records "pro-gay" I don't feel it would be a stretch to call Portman's record "anti-gay," and it's disappointing that Mary Cheney would choose to support him. I do wish that I could get an explanation of Ms. Cheney's reason for donating to his campaign, with the hope that she might use her position to engage him in a discussion of LGBT equality. James, I don’t think that Chris’ characterization of Fisher and Brunner’s records as “pro-gay” is necessarily a stretch. Both candidates have come out in support of gay marriage, Brunner especially.
Even if you don’t call their records “pro-gay” I don’t feel it would be a stretch to call Portman’s record “anti-gay,” and it’s disappointing that Mary Cheney would choose to support him.
I do wish that I could get an explanation of Ms. Cheney’s reason for donating to his campaign, with the hope that she might use her position to engage him in a discussion of LGBT equality.

]]> By: James http://lawdork.net/2009/08/31/mary-cheney-sends-a-1000-love-letter-to-anti-gay-rob-portman/#comment-2625 James Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:09:07 +0000 http://lawdork.net/?p=3464#comment-2625 "[V]ery pro-gay records..."? What's the difference between a "very pro-gay record" and very pro-gay rhetoric? Ted Kennedy had a "very pro-ay record"... I would argue (and, I'm VERY much a fan of JB) that the two Democratic candidates for the Ohio Senate seat, have something less than that. To me, this isn't about semantics. It's about really giving credit where credit is due. Obviously, Fisher and Brunner would be more progressive on gay issues than Portman... but I just think it's a stretch to say they both have "very pro-gay records". Just my thoughts. Thanks for the post, Chris! “[V]ery pro-gay records…”? What’s the difference between a “very pro-gay record” and very pro-gay rhetoric? Ted Kennedy had a “very pro-ay record”… I would argue (and, I’m VERY much a fan of JB) that the two Democratic candidates for the Ohio Senate seat, have something less than that.
To me, this isn’t about semantics. It’s about really giving credit where credit is due. Obviously, Fisher and Brunner would be more progressive on gay issues than Portman… but I just think it’s a stretch to say they both have “very pro-gay records”. Just my thoughts. Thanks for the post, Chris!

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