Edwards Announces Backing of Gay Supporters; CBC Institute Sticks With Fox-Backed Debate

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

Edwards Announces Backing of Gay Supporters; CBC Institute Sticks With Fox-Backed Debate
04-10-2007 7:20 PM
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (Associated Press) -- Democrat John Edwards is touting prominent gay supporters who have signed on to his presidential campaign, including a former adviser to President Clinton.

Businessman David Mixner is one of 25 people listed on a news release that the Edwards campaign distributed Tuesday, along with a statement from the candidate saying he is honored to have the backing of so many respected gay leaders.

"They work hard every day to make our country a better place and I am proud to join with them to fight for equal rights for all Americans," Edwards said.

Edwards is making a push for gay support in the competitive Democratic presidential primary. In February, he came out in support of legislation that would end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that prevents people who are openly gay from serving in the military.

Read more: http://omaha.cox.net/cci/newsnational/national?_mode=view&_state=maximized&view=article&id=D8OE2K5O1&_action=validatearticle

[kirby]

1. CBC endorses Don Imus as debate moderator...

Why not? If Faux News is fine, why not Imus?

[pinto]

2. Thank you Mr. Edwards:

"They work hard every day to make our country a better place and I am proud to join with them to fight for equal rights for all Americans," Edwards said.

:thumbsup:

[David Zephyr]

3. John Edwards. Leadership.

Kudos to John Edwards!!

[salin]

5. While still undecided per primary preference...

I am starting to edge a bit towards Edwards.

[David Zephyr]

8. Today's new polls having him crush the GOP contenders.

Plus he's running really strong in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada against Hillary.

He and Obama have my eye now that it is apparent (to me) that Wes Clark is not going to run and will sadly probably endorse Hillary. I've hung on long enough to that idea more than enough time.

I'll either go with Obama or Edwards. I love them both.

[plgoldsmith]

4. Alright!!!

I was prepared to back Edwards on the economic issues alone, but this makes my heart glad!

Not only that, but this is good for the campaign in general. Dems need to start embracing their base and the culture war in general, or we're going to get another thumping. We need to win BIG in order to take office.

[Erika]

10. We didn't get a thumping in either 2000 or 2004 -

Where are you coming from?

[0rganism]

6. if the CBC had a debate and no one came, wouldn't that be... uncomfortable?

The CBC needs to get its collective shit together on this one. I don't see why they've hitched their debate wagon to Fox on this day, but this is turning into a fiasco, and reflecting badly on everyone involved -- not just Fox.

[LiberalFighter]

17. Yes... I'm wondering who is making the decision about this

or better yet... WHY they are hitching their wagons to these scums!!

[0rganism]

19. my gut feeling is it's Donna Brazile

I have nothing whatsoever to back this up, but it seems like the kind of mess she'd have a hand in.

[waiting for hope]

7. Edwards is a class act -

He will bring dignity and grace back to Washington - and it's long overdue.

[benny05]

9. This is good of you, Omaha Steve

You are trying to promote all of our good candidates.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. I'm yearning to see Edwards surge in the polls

With so many big states moving to February 5th, he might not have time to build momentum and buzz in time.

But I'm trying to be hopeful. Unless Gore enters, which seems unlikely, Edwards is the best choice.

[benny05]

12. Here's the list of endorsers

* Skip Paul, Corporate Executive
* Darren Star, TV Producer
* Julie Johnson, Human Rights Campaign Public Policy Committee Co-Chair
* Eric Stern, Former National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director; Former Democratic National Committee LGBT Outreach Director
* David Mixner, Former Bill Clinton for President Adviser; LGBT activist, fundraiser, author www.davidmixner.com
* Dennis Erdman, TV Producer/ Director
* Mary Snider, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Executive Committee Member
* David Tseng, Kerry-Edwards 2004 National LGBT Advisory Committee Co-Chair; Former Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National Executive Director
* David Mariner, Former Out for Howard Dean Co-Chair; Founder, www.outfordemocracy.org
* James Duff, TV Producer
* Ramon Gardenhire, National Stonewall Democrats Black Caucus Co-Chair; Former DNC LGBT Deputy Outreach Director
* Scott Benson, Majority Leader Minneapolis City Council
* Shane Larson, AFL-CIO Pride @ Work National Executive Board Member; Association of Flight Attendants (AFA)-Communications Workers of America (CWA) Government Affairs Director
* Scott Wiener, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Member; San Francisco Democratic Party Chair* (for identification purposes only)
* Jeff Gardner, Garden State Equality Vice Chair; New Jersey for Democracy Co-Chair
* Lynne Wiggins, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National Leadership Council Member; Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors Member
* Ken Keechl, Broward County Commissioner; Former Dolphin Democrats President
* Linda Elliott, Human Rights Committee Board of Directors Member
* Dave Garrity, Former Democratic National Committee Member
* Mark Periello, Former Human Rights Campaign staff member; Democratic strategist
* Ron Ginsburg, LGBT Community Activist; business owner
* Randall Kelly, LGBT Community Activist; attorney
* Stephanie Kornegay, LGBT Community Activist; business owner
* Robert D. Horvath, Mautner Project Board of Directors Member
* Patrick J. Lyden, LGBT Community Activist; Homeland Security Advisor

[TechBear_Seattle]

13. Since when is Bill Clinton a gay supporter?

That bit of well used toilet paper signed both DOMA and DADT. If he is what passes for support, we are all royally screwed.

Further, if Edwards' views on my human rights is the same as Clinton's... forget about me EVER voting for him. When people are out to destroy everything I believe in, I would rather they do it openly and not by disguising their knife in a handshake.

[brentspeak]

14. What does your opinion of Bill Clinton have to do with John Edwards?

[TechBear_Seattle]

16. Well, err... you see...

I misread "including a former adviser to President Clinton" as "including former President Clinton." :blush:

Nevermind.

[fidgeting wildly]

15. Good for Edwards.

I am still undecided/hoping for Gore, but every time Edwards takes a leadership role on one of these important issues, I edge closer to supporting him. DADT has got to go.

[IndianaGreen]

18. Hillary always meets in private with LGBT groups, only gay press present

It is as if frontrunner Hillary is fearful of being seen as "gay friendly," which may explain the several hours delay in Team Hillary's press release condemning General Pace's homophobic comments. It only took John Edwards one second to condemn Pace when asked the question if he agreed with the general that homosexuals are immoral.

I have warmed up to Edwards ever since. LGBTs should support our real friends, not the phony ones that will sell our rights to pander to the right, and give us DOMA and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."