Kennedy Endorses Gay Marriage

Newsmax ^ | 3-7-04

[SJackson]

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., said Sunday that he supports the right of gays and lesbians to get married, adding that he backs a court ruling that could legalize same sex marriages in his own state.

Asked if he wanted to last year's gay marriage ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court to survive legal challenges, Kennedy told CNN's "Late Edition, "I've strongly fought discrimination and prejudice my whole life in the United States Senate and I've supported the Massachusetts ruling."

"Late Edition" host Wolf Blitzer then pressed Kennedy - a key backer of likely Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry - asking, "But you personally, you're a good Catholic, do you support gay marriage?"

"Yes," Kennedy responded without a moments hesitation. "I support the Massachusetts Supreme Court."

"The Massachusetts Supreme Court decision does not require any sacramental aspect, [and it] does not require the Catholic Church to perform a sacramental marriage," the liberal Democrat insisted. "[It doesn't require] a Protestant Church, a Mosque or a Temple to perform that."

"We're basically talking about civil marriages or civil unions," Kennedy explained, before slamming President Bush's proposal for a constitutional ban against same-sex marriage.

"For this president, this administration, to offer a constitutional amendment which will write discrimination and prejudice into the Constitution, I find enormously offensive," he told CNN.

Kennedy has taken an influential role in Sen. Kerry's presidential bid, repeatedly appearing at campaign stops to introduce his fellow Bay Stater.

Kerry maintains that he's opposed to gay marriage, but he told a San Francisco fund-raiser last week that he wanted to extend over 1,000 federal marital benefits to same sex couples.

His wife Teresa Heinz predicted at the same event that Americans will get used to gay marriage.

[SJackson]

Everyone see Ted's new car?

[ditto h]

I have one question..what would Mary do?

[Peach]

He strongly support murder when it's convenient too.

[Semper Paratus]

Maybe Walter Conkrite wants to make Ted a proposal now?

[Bismarck]

Those who embrace gay marriages should be forced to gay-marry, especially if they are heterosexual.

[Warlord David]

If Sen. Kennedy likes it. He should marry a gay, to show is support.

[goldstategop]

Uncle Ted's principled. Is Kerry going to affirm or deny this stand or come down both sides at once?

[Ronin]

Methinks Kennedy is acting to give Kerry some cover on this issue. By staking out a position that is further to the left and further out of the mainstream than Kerry, Kennedy makes him appear slightly more moderate in comparison.

Now that the nomination battle is over and Kerry needs to appear more mainstream to attract centrist voters, this kind of cover will be valuable to him.

Which, of course, is another reason we need to hammer him on his issues and his votes -- along with his "so-called" heroism in Vietnam. There is no reason to let him "escape" to the center and we shouldn't let him do it.

[Paul Atreides]

RE: Tubby Kennedy

No comment, as I value my membership on FR.

[Paul Atreides]

I find enormously offensive," he told CNN.

...as he was looking in the mirror.

[Maria S]

"But you personally, you're a good Catholic..."

That is an ASTONISHING assumption to make...in my opinion...given Ted Kennedy's history!

[JIM O]

Bishop O'Mally should without question excommunicate this guy. Today!

[White Eagle]

How long will it be before a Fat Teddy staffer makes a claim that Mary Jo Kopecnke would be in favor a homosexual marriage? "The Senator is just looking out for her best interest..."

The entire Sodom & Gomorrah factor (Michael Jackson, Janet's wardrobe malfunction, Brides with Beards) is going to be the determining factor in this election cycle. Every normal person has an amount of strange stuff that they can tolerate, but the left-wing lunatic fringe is pushing the envelope this year. Perfect timing.

[E=MC²]

"I've strongly fought discrimination and prejudice my whole life in the United States Senate...

Unless the ones being discriminated against or prejudged were decent, conservative, Christian, or moral.

[Joee]

You have added facts to the statement that the Democrat Party is totally without morality. It, in itself, a basic danger to the existance of our Nation. I would not be surprised, if at some future time, that Party didn't try to forment armed rebellion against our Constitutional Government, if they can't do it via the election process..

[paguch]

Kennedy has the nerve to mention the Catholic Church. I would like to hear if there are any Catholics left in Boston. Kennedy tried to throw the Vatican out of the UN. He has banned Catholics from the SupremeCourt. He is an avid proponent of abortion. He is very anti Catholic, as is Kerry. Massachusetts is a "Catholic" state.

Europe has gone secular, is Massachusetts gone the same way? Are there any Catholics in that state?

[isthisnickcool]

Mary Jo never had the opportunity to get married. To anyone.

Kennedy left her there. In the dark. Probably terified. Running out of air.

John Kerry's good friend, Ted Kennedy. What about him? He admits killing unarmed people in Vietnam. Birds of a feather....

[JoJo Gunn]

We all know how the regressive animals of the Left had thrown the Catholics and the scandals in our faces.

How are they going to be able to reconcile this?

As with the "Reverend" Sharpton, can you really and truly trust someone who will turn their backs on their core beliefs just to pander to sphincter chasers?

[Condor51]

Gee Teddy, I wonder if Mary Jo Kopechne would've ever gotten married - had children and grand-children? But we'll never know will we Teddy!!
(Do you have nightmares 'Senator'?)

[Quix]

Given Scuba Teddy's great support [/sar] of heterosexual marriage . . . and his obvious selfishness . . .

it's not that surprising he's getting on this hedonistic bandwagon.