On Civil Rights And Gay Rights, McCain Flunks The Test

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be expanded to include sexual orientation, and even that the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy of the US military should be repealed.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.

Comments

[GloriaWEA1]

"A wonderful Palin"
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.

[KELLI2L]

Gays Rights is such a Federal Government non-issue today. Each state should decide this issue BASED ON THEIR VOTERS PREFERENCE AND DECISION...... This way the majority rules for each state......

[LeaveArtieAlone]

NO!!!

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!

[Susan Kelley-Stamerra - Huffpost Blogger]

You would be on to something except that the way McCain sees it, it might be alright to marry in Massachusetts, but you'd better hope that your spouse isn't offered a great job a few years later in Colorado, because you will have essentially "undone" your marriage vows by merely trying to do what's best for your family.
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.

[cactusphil]

you know, it's good to be reminded how dangerous mccain truly is. not just because he clearly believes that the status quo is a bit too tolerant, but moreso because he will have the opportunity to appoint two, maybe three, supreme court justices who just might like nothing more than to shove my partner and i, along with my other brethren "unconventional" americans, into the ovens. he isn't better than this. WE ARE. in clear contrast, obama's views, convictions and stance reflect a level of nuance and (self) deliberation that are necessary in forming opinions, and more importantly, policies that affect all americans, especially those who find themselves outside the majority. there is room at my table for everyone. obama's table, it seems, is as roomy and welcoming as my own. by comparison, mccain's is a tv tray. gObama2008! and nice read, sue!

[KELLI2L]

I find it curious that you don't see why some people think Obama is truly dangerous for America. And he just doesn't seem to get what being president is all about. It's not about putting a debate before a monetary crisis - shame on him..... And he mentioned - 3 times, that it was HIS idea - in his conversation yesterday about McCain suspending his campaigning to oversee the Stock Market bailout - - Barack, do you even know how to tell the truth? !!!!!!
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.........

[Susan Kelley-Stamerra - Huffpost Blogger]

Are youo kidding? Please tell me this is tongue-in-cheek. (Although I agree, McCain should have given up his senate seat, but let's not go there.)
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.

[PristineLady]

Unfortunately, flunking the test for us, is a great badge of honor in the American "Heartland." :-(((((

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!!!

[MagisterLudi]

Same product link from PristineLady in all her comments. Spam er deluxe. Do NOT click on link! Mark as abusive.

[martymartymarty]

I think this speaks to the generational differences between the candidates as well. McCain has an equally abysmal record with women's rights. I attribute it more to his age than his party, he has the mindset from a previous world and rejects expanding that view of life (similar to how he is with war). Obama is also typical of his generation, knowing that rights should never be legislated *away* though he does maintain a heterosexual conceit about gay relationships. People forget, too, that a civil union speaks of legalities while dubbing it "marriage" brings in all sorts of religious associations.

[SeKelley]

I'm not so sure about some of what you say. Certainly the issue of same-sex marriage is newer, but my suffragette great-grandmother. suffrage-enjoying grandmother, and dual-degree working mother would argue that it is far past the time when guys like McCain recognize (at least) the role of women.
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.

[KELLI2L]

McCain is SO against womens rights that he chose a woman for his running mate!!!! Get Real.

[LeaveArtieAlone]

A woman who feels that if you are raped the woman has no choice. Yep HE is against women! When asked why women don't make as much as men, he actually said that maybe they need more education! Choosing THIS woman doesn't make you pro-woman, choosing the RIGHT woman does. Palin IS NOT the right woman for women!

[SouthJerseySteve]

When you look at the facts, bigots support John McCain and big business supports John McCain.
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).

[SeKelley]

I bellieve that, shouold McCain die in office, she has a 100% chance of becoming president unless, of course, she dies first, in which case Speaker Pelosi would become the president. But then again, I don't want to encourage any behavior that would, if the McPalin ticket enters office, encourage any outward behavior that would hasten such an ascendancy. ;-)

[KELLI2L]

Let see, do I want a seaoned McCain and a wonderful Palin or do I want Obama and his cronies like Reverend Wright, Mr. & Mrs. Ayers, Mr. Rezko (felon), Louis Farakan, Black Panthers and on and on to run our country? I choose McCain / Palin any day !!!!!

[USALover]

Both candidates represent their party well.

I don't think there were any surprises here.