Holy shit! Did anyone see Meet the Press this a.m. (Sunday, June 29) - with just minutes to go, Russert showed the cover of next week's Newsweek, which addresses the issue of gay marriage. He pointedly asked what role gays might play in the next election. Carville and Matalin's responses totally took me aback.

Matalin not only addressed gay marriage, she also mentioned adoption (!!!). She actually recommended that gays need a visible leader with vision (well, duh...but then again, WHERE IS OUR LEADER?) and that we need to get our issues into the political process, not just in the judicial system. Wow. (She also mentioned that there are some Republicans who "are not against" gay marriage...which isn't exactly FOR, but, hey...). Finally, Matalin incisively noted how Howard Dean, who she said was left of left, has danced around issues of gay marriage when pressed.

Carville for his contribution, hardly mentioned gay marriage. At all! He focused on "opportunity for everyone" and said gay marriage wouldn't be an issue that drives the election. I understood what he said, but compared to Matalin's response, Carville really appeared to waffle.

Anyone else see it? Wondering how others interpreted the comments.


[Thread title modified to correct case. - Outsports moderator]

[ June 29, 2003, 10:59 AM: Message edited by: m1 ]

I love listening to Matalin and Carville. I'm fairly certain that Mary Matalin, despite her ties to the GOP, has long been pro gay rights and has has serious disagreements with her party over the issue. Now, if Carville could just get her over to his side of the aisle.

I do think there are some in the Republican party who want this to be an issue. As it will motovate their core to get to the polls. I just wonder how mwny LGBT will go out and vote. I read once a year or so ago ( can not remember where) that as a group we had one of the lower turn outs :mad:

As I have posted before, this next Presidential election is so very important for gay men and women, its not even funny. We have had a monumental decision this past week, with the Supreme Court ruling, and we must continue to move forward, and not back. We cannot let apathy rule, everyone of us has so much riding on this next years elections, and there is no excuse for us as a valid minority to just sit back and let other people decide the outcomes for us!

I can't believe I'm saying this, but Mary Matalin has always seemed more on target regarding gay issues than James Carville, but she has a more difficult path to walk. Working for Dick Cheney--whose wife, the dragon lady, is a warrior on the other side of the "culture wars"--cannot be easy. Even his own daughter hasn't been able to steer him towards the light. I do believe Matalin is an advocate for an inclusive Republican Party but that party has many constituents--and elected officials (Santorum, et al)--who would tar & feather us to yet be viewed as welcoming. As a good and true liberal Democrat, I am somewhat disgusted at how my party seems to take my vote for granted & believe the only way to prevent this is to make my voice heard & only support those candidates who, in turn, support me. We have to hold their stupid feet to the fire.

~Adam

Sorry, OT, but I was just reminded of "Bob Dole" on The Simpsons: "And I say, we must move forward, not backward! Upward, not forward! And always twirling, twirling, twirling toward freedom!"

I didn't catch "Meet the Press" this morning, but I can't wait to read a transcript of the show later on today.

I may be mistaken about this, but I think both Carville and Matalin are members of the Unity Coalition, a group of gay and straight people pushing for gay rights within the GOP. Perhaps it's just Matalin who belongs to this group, and as far as I know, she's always found a way to be supportive of gay and lesbian people.

Probably just Matalin since Carville is a partisan liberal Democrat.

I thought Matalin sounded forthright on this issue, though she did mischaracterize Dean as "left of the left," which as we've said on here before is going to be the Right's mantra. Once they get the talking points they turn into Stepford Wives, so now that Frist has broached the new Constitutional amendment, I'm sure others will hop right on the float.

Equality for everyone, in every aspect of life, is the way to go.