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Agschmid

(28,749 posts)
50. All our candidates evolved on this issue.
Tue Oct 27, 2015, 01:26 AM
Oct 2015
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders likes to describe himself as a longtime supporter of marriage equality—in sharp contrast to his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who’s still striving to convince her base that she’s on board with LGBT rights. In May, Sanders famously told New York Times columnist Gail Collins that “I’m not evolving when it comes to gay rights. I was there!” Liberal outlets consistently describe Sanders as a pioneer for marriage equality. As proof of his pro-LGBT credentials, Sanders frequently touts his opposition in 1996 to the Defense of Marriage Act, which barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages.
Mark Joseph Stern Mark Joseph Stern

But Sanders is not quite the gay rights visionary his defenders would like us to believe. Sanders did oppose DOMA—but purely on states’ rights grounds. And as recently as 2006, Sanders opposed marriage equality for his adopted home state of Vermont. The senator may have evolved earlier than his primary opponents. But the fact remains that, in the critical early days of the modern marriage equality movement, Sanders was neutral at best and hostile at worst.


Source.

Yes he is better than Hillary here, I agree. But the record isn't blemish free.

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None of our candidates explicitly supported marriage in that decade. Agschmid Oct 2015 #1
Bernie supported us in everything we fought for in the 1990's. And the 1980's... 70's... 60's...etc Fearless Oct 2015 #6
I expected this article to pop up, didn't expect it from you. Agschmid Oct 2015 #11
Again, he supported EVERYTHING WE FOUGHT FOR in those years. Fearless Oct 2015 #15
Ha well I guess some of us were fighting for marriage a bit longer the some? Agschmid Oct 2015 #20
You're making things up. Fearless Oct 2015 #27
I'm absolutely not. Agschmid Oct 2015 #37
No, he did not. Chitown Kev Oct 2015 #23
Again, he supported EVERYTHIGN WE FOUGHT FOR in those years. Fearless Oct 2015 #28
He never opposed SSM though jfern Oct 2015 #48
All our candidates evolved on this issue. Agschmid Oct 2015 #50
It's a lie that he was a SSM opponent in 2006 jfern Oct 2015 #52
And what exactly was he waiting for? Agschmid Oct 2015 #53
There were lots of politicians who hadn't bothered to formally take a position on SSM jfern Oct 2015 #55
Oh so he was so for it, that he forgot to mention it. Got it. Agschmid Oct 2015 #56
If you made the claim that he opposed it you have to back it up. beam me up scottie Oct 2015 #57
It's not my job to do anything... Agschmid Oct 2015 #58
Got it! You made the claim that he opposed same sex marriage and can't back it up. beam me up scottie Oct 2015 #64
I backed it up just fine. Agschmid Oct 2015 #66
Where? I must have missed it. Did you read the transcript? beam me up scottie Oct 2015 #69
I did. And's its odd, I don't see the word marriage equality anywhere. Agschmid Oct 2015 #70
What's even more weird is that he never said he opposed it. beam me up scottie Oct 2015 #71
Usually leaders lead. n/t Agschmid Oct 2015 #72
So you just *know*. Have you always been omniscient? beam me up scottie Oct 2015 #73
The other night it seemed as if you were done with me? Agschmid Oct 2015 #74
No, I challenge lies about Bernie when I can. beam me up scottie Oct 2015 #75
Oh boy... Agschmid Oct 2015 #76
I'm agreeing with you about Hillary. beam me up scottie Oct 2015 #77
I know, thanks. Agschmid Oct 2015 #78
There were lots of other politicians who hadn't taken a position jfern Oct 2015 #59
Yes, and I fault them for that as well. Agschmid Oct 2015 #60
My point is that it's a lie that Bernie oopossed SSM in 2006 jfern Oct 2015 #61
It's not a lie. Agschmid Oct 2015 #63
It is a lie. Where did he say he opposed it?: beam me up scottie Oct 2015 #65
He didn't have to say he was in favor to not oppose SSM jfern Oct 2015 #67
Look so if Sanders is such a strong leader why didn't he lead? Agschmid Oct 2015 #68
That's a different question, but he saying he opposed SSM in 2006 because of that debate is bogus jfern Oct 2015 #79
Very true, we can choose to move on to the future or remain in the past, I like today much better. Thinkingabout Oct 2015 #8
Yup. Agschmid Oct 2015 #13
Know who else changed since the 90's? Elizabeth Warren. "Evolving" is not a bad word, if context Fred Sanders Oct 2015 #2
Change the subject much? Fearless Oct 2015 #3
Same subject, better perspective. Fred Sanders Oct 2015 #4
Different subject. And you're still wrong. Fearless Oct 2015 #7
But the Clintons fought marriage equality only in order to MannyGoldstein Oct 2015 #5
You must really hate Obama. nt LexVegas Oct 2015 #9
I vehemently disagree with his "personal evolution" on LGBT rights. Yes. Emphatically. Fearless Oct 2015 #10
I salute your consistency. nt LexVegas Oct 2015 #16
Grow up firebrand80 Oct 2015 #12
Wow! Just wow! Fearless Oct 2015 #19
"Politicians sometimes take positions based on the prevailing winds. " tblue Oct 2015 #30
Then you're likely to always be "holding your nose" firebrand80 Oct 2015 #31
She's a flip flopper! pinebox Oct 2015 #14
On this issues they have all evolved. Agschmid Oct 2015 #22
One of Sanders greates legislative accomplishments was.... NCTraveler Oct 2015 #17
Thanks for the history lesson. onehandle Oct 2015 #18
One thing that makes me happy is the LGBT vote is far from monolithic LettuceSea Oct 2015 #21
Worthless revision of history on HRC's part angrychair Oct 2015 #24
In the 1990's I didn't support marriage equality. I do now and Arkansas Granny Oct 2015 #25
You were not in a position of power in the 1990's. What you believed doesn't impact this nation. Fearless Oct 2015 #29
And what Hillary believes now will have more impact on the nation Arkansas Granny Oct 2015 #32
You're missing the point of the OP. Fearless Oct 2015 #33
The point of the OP, as I read it, is that 25 years ago Arkansas Granny Oct 2015 #36
A position of power in this nation is attained by treestar Oct 2015 #35
In the face of partisan districting, I disagree fundamentally. Fearless Oct 2015 #44
That was very dismissive. Agschmid Oct 2015 #42
False logic. It was off topic. Fearless Oct 2015 #45
It was about marriage equality... Agschmid Oct 2015 #46
It was not about the Clintons or DOMA. Fearless Oct 2015 #47
Just a reminder... Agschmid Oct 2015 #49
If you bother to read the post, you'll see what the main idea is. Fearless Oct 2015 #51
Nah, thanks though. Agschmid Oct 2015 #54
I appreciate you sharing that. Agschmid Oct 2015 #43
Neither did I. I am an old geezer and grew up in an age that was much different than todays's in justhanginon Oct 2015 #26
Puts finger out UglyGreed Oct 2015 #34
memory lane Truprogressive85 Oct 2015 #38
Unfortunately, politicians are followers more than leaders. polichick Oct 2015 #39
Gay Activists Unhappy with Clinton remarks on DOMA Laughing Mirror Oct 2015 #40
Neither did President Obama... brooklynite Oct 2015 #41
well...in the 90's Chitown Kev Oct 2015 #62
I will say that I was disappointed in Clinton's description of what happened around the time of DOMA BlueCheese Oct 2015 #80
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