DIGINITY OF THE WHITE HOUSE

New York Post ^ | October 15, 2004 | Editorial

[OESY]

...Both the veep and his wife, Lynne, reacted angrily to John Kerry's having pointedly noted in Wednesday's debate that their daughter Mary — who works for the campaign but keeps a low profile — is gay.

The suspicion is that Kerry meant to damage the Republican ticket in the eyes of any voters who have a problem with Mary Cheney's sexuality — that is, in the eyes of people that Kerry considers to be bigots.

Recall that Kerry's running-mate, John Edwards, also gratuitously brought up the subject....

Yesterday, Mrs. Cheney reacted furiously to Kerry's tactic, calling it "a cheap and tawdry political trick."

Which brought an outrageously over-the-top response from Edwards' wife, Elizabeth — who charged that the Cheneys are ashamed of their daughter.

"She's overreacted to this," said Mrs. Edwards on ABC Radio, referring to the veep's wife. "I think it indicates a certain degree of shame with respect to her daughter's sexual preferences . . . It makes me really sad that that's Lynne's response."

That's truly loathsome.

Was Mrs. Edwards not listening to her husband when he said, "You can't have anything but respect for the fact that [the Cheneys] are willing to talk about the fact that they have a gay daughter"?....

Kerry's campaign manager, Mary Beth Cahill, arrogantly dismissed any suggestion that her candidates were out of line, calling it "fair game" because the Cheneys' daughter is "a major figure in the campaign."

Actually, she's nothing of the kind: Though she's appeared with her parents, she doesn't give speeches and prefers to avoid the limelight....

Clearly, he has no respect for Mary Cheney; has he none as well for the dignity of the office he seeks?

The two candidates — and Elizabeth Edwards — owe Dick and Lynne Cheney a public apology.

Mary Cheney, too.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Add the NYTimes to the list of those who are using Mary Cheney for political purposes.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I mean the NYPost.

[smiley]

This is a low blow for the DNC and because they have been so vicious and arrogant throughout this campaign, no apology will ever be made. Kerry could have just as well pointed out Barney Franks, from his own home state of Massachuetts, to talk about the homosexual issue, but Kerry and Edwards both decided to throw a punch below the belt. Like Lynn Cheney stated in response to Kerry's vicious comment, "this is not a good man." I hope and pray the American people see through that as well. God Bless the troops and this administration.

[Coop]

but what's the thinking (if there is any) behind this?

The Left likely wants conservatives - especially religious ones - to stay home because the Vice President has a [gasp!} homosexual in his family!!! :-)

[Alia]

Liz Edward's comment is soooo 1970s; when sex/race activists were using psychologic guiltings against genuine diversity dissenters. What's good for the goose is good for the gander:

That comment by Mrs Edwards could only have come from someone who is themselves latently lesbian and possibly screaming from her closet, her own wish to be as "free" as Mary Cheney.

If Mary Cheney had been mentally retarded, would Kedwards and Lizzie found a way to use that too? How about had she been adopted? Point is, it was a low-ball in the debate. It was uncivil, and completely out of whack with the entire dialogue of the debate -- meaning, it came outta nowwhere -- kinda like the Red Socks comment. Kerry's "Mary Cheney" comment was intended to "divide", to cause dissension.

Yo! Lizzie Edwards: How long have you been unhappily married to this man, John, wishing instead that he were "joan"?

[TNCMAXQ]

Here's a thought. Anyone near the sites where Edwards will be appearing soon? How about having a bunch of protestors show up with crutches, or in wheelchairs, and beg Edwards to heal them!? I think the media would take notice. :)

[bootyist-monk]

Hmmm... what kind of parents let their 16 year-old son drive in the middle of the night to the family beach house (where he proceeds to fall asleep at the wheel, roll over his Jeep on the interstate, and is killed instantly)? Oh please, Mrs. Edwards, in between mouthfuls of cheeseburgers, tell us what real parenting is all about.