October 15, 2004
Something About Mary
Did you know Mary Cheney is a lesbian, wink wink?
There was notable debate fallout from Senator Kerry's remarks that included Mary Cheney, the Vice-President's openly lesbian daughter, including new remarks from the wife of Senator Edwards, and a kinda-apology from Senator Kerry.
There are those who would argue that there is no reason for outrage or concern over Senator Kerry's remarks. We tend to think that in all honesty, this is not an overt or even subverted purposeful attack by Kerry designed to undermine the President with the values-conscious part of his base - though it is extremely unwise to even mention Mary Cheney and use her as a policy wedge. But Mort Kondracke, editor of Roll Call and Fox News analyst, has been very consistent in seeing the invoking of her name as an underhanded attempt to code word the electorate. Some argue that there is nothing to be concerned with at all - Mary Beth Cahill of the Kerry campaign called Mary Cheney "fair game" - but this ignores two fundamental facts - first, there is a hard and fast political rule that you leave the families out of the discussion - especially children. Second - that there is a clear double-standard being applied that would not be tolerated, were the situation were reversed.
Indeed, if the situation was reversed - if Senator Kerry had a homosexual child, and Bush in the debate said "My opponent has a gay daughter, I'm sure he loves her very much", activists and partisans would peel the paint from the wall with shrill protest that Bush had only brought it up in order to use "code words" to inflame the electorate and play to bigotry and homophobia - and they'd have a point. My opponent has a gay daughter - wink wink Mr. Anti-Gay voter.
If in a southern Republican debate, Bush and McCain had been talking about race relations and Bush had remarked "My opponent has adopted a black baby, I'm sure he lovers her very much", the same band of activists and partisans would be howling about Bush's bigoted and racially insensitive remarks and attempt to play on Southern racism - and they'd have a point. My opponent has a black baby - wink wink Mr. Intolerant voter. (By the way, something akin to this actually happened).
Imagine if discussing marriage and values in the debate, Bush had said "I think marriage is important, divorce is hard on kids. My opponent annulled his marriage, I'm sure he knows how hard it is on kids." Again, outrage about a cheap shot and dragging the candidates kids into the mix - and they'd have a point. My opponent ditched his wife and broke up his family - wink wink Ms. Suburban Family Values voter.
Or imagine if discussing health care issues, Bush had said "I think we face serious health care issues in this country - such as obesity. Senator Edwards wife clearly struggles with this issue."
You simply do not bring into the discussion the family of the other candidate, unless it is a glowing, gushing, perfect pitch compliment. For all of her hoof-in-mouth outbursts, Bush nor Cheney has remarked about Teresa Heinz's public statements - because it violates the inviolable rule.
Today, John Kerry issued something of a heartfelt "gee, ya know, I guess, I, well" clarification - but not really an apology:
"I love my daughters. They love their daughter...I was trying to say something positive about the way strong families deal with the issue."
Bad advice - Kerry needs to just put this behind him. Here is how it should have sounded:
"I'm sorry."
Of course, if Kerry said it it'd take 75 words and three subordinate clauses - but nevertheless, this story is taking the air out of Kerry after a good series of debates for him. Kerry needs to come out, say he has only respect for the VP and his family, and that while he did not intend to, it is apparent that the VP and his family were hurt by his comments, and he offers his sincerest apology and warm regards.
Guess what? Issue over. But no...
Posted by MEC2 at October 15, 2004 08:18 AM