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Elizabeth Edwards Slams GOP For Playing 'The Gay Card'

by 365gay.com (repost)
The wife of Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards said Monday that Republican criticism of Sen. John Kerry for mentioning Mary Cheney's sexual orientation was a distraction from more pressing issues.
Elizabeth Edwards Slams GOP For Playing 'The Gay Card'
by: Steven K. Paulson The Associated Press

Posted: October 18 2004 5:03 pm ET

(Denver, Colorado) The wife of Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards said Monday that Republican criticism of Sen. John Kerry for mentioning Mary Cheney's sexual orientation was a distraction from more pressing issues.

Campaigning in Denver, Elizabeth Edwards also argued that President Bush has tried to politicize the issue of gay rights in pressing for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

"I believe the president has tried to use the constitutional amendment as a wedge issue, instead of addressing things like health care or real reform and attention to our veterans' issues," Edwards said.

Mrs. Edwards also said she was upset with the GOP complaints about Kerry's comments in his debate last week with Bush. Republicans have called Kerry remarks inappropriate, and in an interview with The Associated Press Monday, Bush said the statement was "over the line."

"I'm distressed that what it did was distract from what should have been a dialogue over issues that should have been raised during the third debate — domestic policy issues like health care and jobs and education," Edwards said.

In the final debate with Bush last week, Kerry referred to Mary Cheney when asked whether homosexuality is a choice. (story)

"We're all God's children," he said. "And I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney's daughter, who is a lesbian, she would tell you that she's being who she was. She's being who she was born as. I think if you talk to anybody, it's not a choice."

Cheney and his wife, Lynne, accused Kerry of using their daughter for political gain, with Mrs. Cheney saying Kerry's statements amounted to a "cheap and tawdry political trick." (story)

That prompted Edwards to say last week that while Mrs. Cheney has been "a wonderful advocate" for her daughter, she also might be ashamed of her.

"She's overreacted to this and treated it as if it's shameful to have this discussion. I think that's a very sad state of affairs," she told ABC radio. "I think that it indicates a certain amount of shame with respect to her daughter's sexual preferences."

During his debate with the vice president, John Edwards said he respected the Cheneys because they are willing to acknowledge they have a lesbian daughter and are willing to embrace her. Cheney thanked Edwards for his comments.

Mary Cheney, 35, has lived for years in Conifer, Colo., just west of Denver and runs operations in her father's campaign office. Prior to that, she worked as a gay and lesbian outreach coordinator for Golden-based Coors Brewing Co.

©Associated Press 2004
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