Despite all the talk of the economy, there are other issues of concern in this presidential race. Let's take a side-by-side look at where Obama and McCain stand on gay rights, Identity-based hate crimes, civil unions, and the like.
McCain on Hate Crime Legislation:
While in the US Senate, McCain voted NO on expanding the definition of hate crimes to include crimes based on sexual orientation, and voted NO on prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill would have caused the definition of "hate crime" to encompass acts committed because of a victim's disability or sexual orientation and would have permitted the federal government to assist in state prosecutions of hate crimes.
Obama on Hate Crime Legislation:
In "In His Own Words, " author Lisa Rogak notes that Obama shows his support for the Employment Non Discrimination Act, and added that hate crime legislation SHOULD be expanded to include sexual orientation, and even that the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy of the US military should be repealed.
McCain on Same-Sex Marriage:
Senator McCain supports California Proposition 8 (CA Prop. 8), a one-man-one-woman marriage ballot measure, about which he said "I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona" (Los Angeles Times Jul 2, 2008).
McCain voted YES on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which argued that even if one state authorizes same-sex marriage, that marriage need not be recognized by any other state. It was designed to make clear that the federal government sees marriage as man-woman only.
Obama on Same-Sex Marriage:
Obama called California's Prop 8 "divisive and discriminatory," and praised the idea that all Americans, irrespective of their relationships, should be fully recognized and protected under the law (Los Angeles Times Jul 2, 2008).
Obama has not yet endorsed gay marriage, arguing rather that civil unions are sufficient to protect partner and family rights. He has advocated separating the terms "marriage" and "union" to reflect the difference between religious and state ceremonies.
He voted NO on the constitutional same-sex marriage ban, indicating that it was essentially discriminatory.
Because of these two disparate stances, the candidates have been rated quite differently by two key organizations. The ACLU gives Obama an 80% rating, indicating a pro-civil rights voting record, while McCain's rating currently stands at a mere 17%.
The NAACP, which bases their scorecard rating on whether a candidate is pro- or anti-affirmative action, lists Obama's rating at 100%, McCain's at 7%.
If we translate these numbers into something more palatable, using the gold-standard teacher's averages translated into grades, we have this:
When it comes to gay rights, civil rights, and equal rights for humans of all types:
McCain earns a 12%, a giant "F" from the teacher.
Obama earns a 90%, or a base-line "A."
I think it's safe to say that even the economists fretting over the de-value of the dollar, calculating the latest trends and bailout figures, could reasonably interpret these numbers to find the fairest, most pro-human guy for the job.
This week OffTheBus is publishing a variety of stories that cover the policy differences between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. If you have a policy expertise and would like to participate, please see Calling All Policy Gurus.
Right. I WONDER what John McCain was thinking when he picked her. I WONDER how anyone can possibly think she is capable of being VP. I WONDER when she will actually start answering reporter's questions. I WONDER why she is trying to stall the Troopergate investigation. I am full of WONDERS- I guess that does make Sarah Palin womderful.
Equal RIGHTS for ALL!!! 2 consenting adults have the RIGHT to marry hetero or gay! If the people in that state don't like it too bad, am sure some of them are peeved women and minorities vote.
GAYS pay taxes like everyone else and should have the RIGHTS like EVERYONE else PERIOD!
Things like partnership rights cannot be a state-issue, or we will have a defacto segregation wherein same sex couples are relegated to only those states where their lives are deemed as valuable as everyone else's.
President Bush had to call to ask Obama to participate !!!! Our tax money pays him to work (as a Senator) - we don't pay him to campaign.....
From now on they need to put through a law that doesn't allow a Senator to campaign for president while serving - they need to be forced to give up their Senate seat first.........
What better way for the American people to judge *each* candidate on his merits than to have them both take their funded planes from DC to Ole Miss on Friday and place those ideas before the American public so that we all know what each man hopes to do about the economy.
McCain himself said that he only hoped the legislation needed would be ready by "Monday when the markets open." The way I see it, then, Congress can step up to the plate and work over the weekend, as so many of us do when things need tending-to, and vote on Sunday if need be, but allow the two men vying for the spot of top-dog to lay out their differences and similarities about the economy in a real, transparent forum.
Such transparency would be new to the electorate, a true gift from the current, cloistered administration, and allow the people to gather a well-formed idea of what each man brings to the table.
Instead, in business as usual, McCain wants to hide from the cameras and questions alongside his running mate.
There's a fascinating (and hilarious) mockumentary about the concept of "Equality For All" and it's called "COMING SOON." You can see it for free at http://www.comingsoon.cz.
Highly, highly recommended!!!
I just wish "conservatives" would "conserve" some energy to battle the real foes, not waste their time on things that should be a no-brainer like this.
Who do YOU want to run the country for the next 4-8 years? I'd rather choose Obama-Biden than sink lower into financial and social oblivion under Palin (who has a 85% chance of becoming President should McCain die in office).
I don't think there were any surprises here.