Gay Baiting

If you've been reading this blog awhile, you'll know that I'm no big fan of the Gay Lobby (see the post below "Having A Gay Old Time"). However, in the last two debates Edwards and Kerry decided to declare war on Dick Cheney's daughter, Mary, who is gay.

Both Edwards and Kerry brought her up by name in their debates in what was obviously an attempt to smear the Bush/Cheney ticket in the eyes of conservative religious voters who have Bible-based concerns about homosexuality. You'll notice that when Kerry referred to her, he did not use the word "gay", but used the work "lesbian" (the question referred to gay marriage). Why? Undoubtedly "lesbian" got a much more negative reaction from the focus group they used than "gay".

It was, in the words of Lynne Cheney, a "cheap, tawdry political stunt".

It was also a big mistake. Ask any mom how she would react if her child was attacked in such a manner, and you'll find out why you should never find yourself between a mother and her cubs. Moms (and Dads) were outraged by this Dem tactic, and it's starting to show up in the polls. Bush has gained 5 points in Zogby since Friday night, and I think you can assign some of that increase to Kerry's underhanded remark.

Kerry and the mainstream media are now desperately trying to spin the comment into a compliment, but it won't work. Ask yourself how you felt when you heard it, and take comfort that your revulsion at the tactic was not alone. Kerry will pay a price for attacking a candidate's child.

Of course, had a Republican tried a stunt like this, the media would have run him out of the country, and every gay organization in the world would be camped out on his doorstep. This won't happen with Kerry - after all, he can make the lame walk (according to Edwards). Maybe he can cure homosexuality while he's at it.