9/20/07
I was going to write something else entirely until I saw the video CP kindly linked in yesterday's comments. I never thought I would find myself sobbing on the couch at 1am because of an awkward speech given by a Republican.
When he looks up in the middle, either to his daughter, or to a member of his staff in question, you see the smile of someone whose sun has just come out between the clouds. Simply wonderful.
Ian, I had the same reaction and linked it on my blog today too. This is a rare moment of self-realization and just a beautiful thing to watch.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who had the tearful response to this. I was worried it was a sign of one of those hormonal days! It was so moving and heartfelt. If all politicians could speak from a place of honesty and feeling I think more Americans could get behind them. I think Bill was good at being real (even if it was put on) but Hilary - not so much. When she seems real and not so polished and "spun" I feel like I could support her, otherwise Obama always seems a lot more "honest".
I sure hope he is not lambasted by the right for this especially after putting himself out there so raw like that.
Powerful. Real. Non ironic and uncynical. Genuinely moving. This sounds like a fake movie review, but I mean every word.
Thank you for posting this, Ian.
I hadn't seen this until now, and I'm sitting here in tears watching it. Thank you for making my day by posting it.
a "real" moment in politics. rare. and wonderful. his daughter must be so very proud. thanks for posting.
I'm with Neva. If all politicians could just be real, I wouldn't hold such antipathy for the political process.
Love that. I wonder if Dick Cheney feels the same way. Of course he'd never have the nads to say so, even if he did. Sad.
If his daughter is a lesbian, why couldn't he have supported this initiative in the first place. It's great that he came out with this tearful epiphany, but after admitting his daughter and staffers were gay, I wonder why it was something that took more than a moment's thought to "do the right thing." Compared to the seemingly heartless Cheney, he looks like a champ, but I'd be a little miffed if I was his daughter and it took all this time for the dad to get to this point.
Thanks, Ian! That was amazing.
"I wonder if Dick Cheney feels the same way. Of course he'd never have the nads to say so, even if he did. Sad."
how "sadly" uninformed.....
10:51 a.m. ET Aug 25, 2004
DAVENPORT, Iowa - At a campaign rally in this Mississippi River town, Cheney spoke supportively about gay relationships, saying “freedom means freedom for everyone,” when asked about his stand on gay marriage.“Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so it’s an issue our family is very familiar with,” Cheney told an audience that included his daughter. “With the respect to the question of relationships, my general view is freedom means freedom for everyone. ... People ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to.
“The question that comes up with the issue of marriage is what kind of official sanction or approval is going to be granted by government? Historically, that’s been a relationship that has been handled by the states. The states have made that fundamental decision of what constitutes a marriage,” he said.
if you'd like to get more informed read stephen hayes' "cheney". then you can make an informed decision.
I cried too. He put politics behind him to do what he finally realized was right.
I wonder how our military would work if "the deciders" were putting their children's lives on the line. I'm with Sally Field on this one!
Obviously Cheney could have influenced the debate about gay marriage (quite heavily, I would think) had he spoken out publicly in support of it. Even if he does not support gay marriage in particular, he could have gone a LOT farther lending his support to gay people and causes. However I do give him one point for being supportive of his daughter on one public occasion in Iowa in 2004. By the way, I don't see that not knowing about this apparently isolated incident makes Sean uninformed. It is plain to anyone living that Cheney has not used his power or influence to support gay people or issues.
Thank you, Ian, for spreading GOOD news today!
To be clear: Cheney acknowledges having a gay daughter above but passes the buck to the states on the question of gay marriage. He does not state his own personal opinion about whether or not the government should sanction gay relationships.
how great to see this - especially days after the highest court in maryland squashed a challenge to the state's marriage law (saying marriage is between a man and a woman).
i hope i am still alive the day that this country can look at this issue as an embarrassing part of its past.
to circle back to yesterday's post, good call on the t-shirt. Busted Tees was on it...
This is obviously one of those YouTube fake videos... probably drummed up by some college students with an iMac.
At least... I find that easier to believe than a politician who gives a crap about real people.
Thanks to those who basically already said it, but I was well aware of Cheney's public statement back in the day supporting his daighter and relationships in general...my point was specifically about his public support for gay marriage.
Beautiful.
Am I a complete sadist, or is it okay that I could giggle til bedtime about the 'Don't tase me bro' t-shirt? Annie, am I ethically inept? That idge was a twubble-maker, no? And John Kerry a/o my own run-ins/personal opinion of campus cops... Dont' get me started.
Big Moment in that clip if you ask me, but like others have said, if only this type of contrition and empathy could have already been shown by the likes of the V.ery P.otent Dick. I wonder where Gov. AhRnold will come down in Cali. on this line? He sure seems like a real sellout from this East Coast POV. Alas,.. and remaining glass half full for more moments and awakenings like these in San Diego to come elsewhere.
Ian - thank you for sharing that wonderful piece of awakening!
Regarding Cheney - the state's rights argument is a bunch of bullshit. We've always had a federal marriage reciprocity law that requires each state to recognized marriages from other states. Until the last five years, anyway.