American Republic Online

During a recent meeting of the “Human Rights Campaign forum” (read gay rights activist fund raiser for democrats), Democrat presidential candidates were asked some tough questions. Not your typical soft balls here.

It was actually quite hilarious (or painful depending on your perspective) to watch as candidates did their best to pander to the activist fringe of the gay community without saying anything that would offend - well basically anyone else. For instance this little gem:

Melissa Etheridge (the moderator to Sen Clinton): “…Why not be the leader now?”

MRS. CLINTON: Well, I think… I think I am a… I — I think I am a leader now. If I were sitting where you’re sitting with all you have…gone through in the last 14 years, ummm, I’m sure I would feel exactly the same way, because, you know, not only did you bravely come out, but you’ve had health challenges and so much else, and so time can’t go by slowly. You want things to move as quickly as possible, which I… you know, understand and, um, wish could happen as well.

Awe inspiring. But amidst the tip-toeing statements came a swift blunt one - followed by the largest pass I have seen given in a looong time:

ETHERIDGE (to candidate Bill Richardson): Do you think homosexuality is a choice or is it biological?

RICHARDSON: It’s a choice.

ETHERIDGE: I don’t know if you understand the question. Do you think a homosexual is born that way, or do you think that around seventh grade we go, “Oooh, I want to be gay”?

RICHARDSON: I’m not a scientist. I don’t see this as an issue of science or definition. I see gays and lesbians as people, as a matter of human decency.

An obvious do-over that has Richardson stumbling to find something non-offensive to everyone. But now that you’ve seen the transcript you can see the spin in the short AP story the following day.

• AP: Richardson skirts question at gay forum