[Linda]

I was very disappointed by the way the discussion of glbtq rights was handled in the recent vice-presidential debate.

Moderator Gwen Ifill introduced the topic by noting that Alaska provides benefits to same-sex domestic partners, which probably caused many viewers to think that Sarah Palin favors this policy. In fact, she does not; on the contrary, she has spoken publicly of her opposition to it. She did veto a bill that would have ended such benefits, but only because the state Attorney General advised her that abolishing the benefits, which she wanted to do, would be unconstitutional. Governor Palin is definitely not an ally.

Although Joe Biden spoke of his support for domestic partnerships, Ms. Ifill ended the discussion by stating that Senator Biden and Governor Palin agreed with each other. The only thing on which they agreed was the issue of marriage equality: neither supports same-sex marriage. Otherwise, the candidates are worlds apart in their views.

It is unfortunate that Senator Biden did not speak up to point out the very limited extent of their agreement. Nevertheless, his strong previous remarks made it clear that he and Senator Obama are supporters of glbtq rights (except for the marriage issue).

Governor Palin seemed befuddled by Senator Biden's reference to hospitals and the ability of one partner to have the legal authority to direct the care to be given to the other in an emergency, just as heterosexual married people can. "No one would ever propose, not in a McCain-Palin administration, to do anything to prohibit, say, visitations in a hospital," stated Governor Palin, missing the point entirely.

These two candidates are definitely not in agreement on issues of glbtq rights. I hope that their differences will be made clearer as the campaign continues.
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Linda

[JayJay]

Thanks, Linda, for pointing out the huge differences between Biden, who believes that glbtq couples are constitutionally protected, and Palin, who at best believes that we should be "tolerated."

Keith Olbermann had a wonderful segment that put side by side clips from Bush's debate with Gore in 2000 and clips from Palin's debate with Biden. She was parroting Bush word for word about being a reformer, an outsider in Washington, and nonpartisan. So much for being a breath of fresh air. They obviously prepared her for the debate by cramming her full of Bush-speak, thinking no one would notice. How ironic for a campaign that doesn't want to be running for Bush's third term.
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Jay

[gennee]

People need to know the issues for themselves. An informed public is something that both parties don't always bank on.

Gennee

[Linda]

I missed the piece by Keith Olbermann when it aired but found it on YouTube at:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c33rtjbNaDw&feature=related

As you observe, Jay, she is hardly the breath of fresh air or the candidate with the "fresh ideas" that she claims to be.
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Linda