Posted on 03/06/2007 6:42:52 AM PST by DCJeanGrey
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D.-N.Y.) casts herself as a moderate on gay marriage before mainstream audiences, but in a Saturday address to a pro-gay lobby group she promised that if elected President in 2008 she would secure a range of gay rights victories, including adoption for same-sex couples.
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender civil rights organization, hosted the event and posted a video of Hillary’s address online although Clinton’s staff kept the stop off her public schedule.
In the past, Hillary has dodged explaining her position on gay marriage. In June 2006 she voted for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but enacted a personal policy of "don't tell" in talking about her vote.
In her speech, she called the Federal Marriage Amendment that failed the Senate last year to strictly define marriage as an act between a man and a woman “wedge politics at its worst.”
“It [FMA] was mean-spirited,” she told activists. “It was against the entire forward movement of American history.”
Hillary vowed to promote what many consider to be the most radical component of the gay agenda: adoption rights for same-sex couples.
"I have long supported civil unions," she said. "We're going to make sure that nothing stands in the way of loving couples, gay or straight, to adopt children.”
She also said she would work to secure employer benefits for same-sex couples.
"We're going to reach out and work with our allies in Congress both to change laws and change hearts,” she said. “We want to make sure that all Americans in committed relationships have equal benefits from health insurance and life insurance and Social Security and property rights and more."
"These are fundamental rights," she emphasized.
She said this would come through passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that would “criminalize discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation.”
“It is inconceivable to me that in the year 2007 people can still be fired because of who they love. It is unfair, it is un-American and we are going to put a stop to it once and for all.”
She also called for an end to the military’s “failed policy” of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that was created by her husband President Bill Clinton.
“This policy just doesn’t hurt gays and lesbians. It hurts all of our troops and this, to me, is a matter of national security and we’re going to fix it because we know our nation is stronger when our nation’s men and women are permitted to serve if that is the choice they want to make.”
Finally, Hillary pledged to expand federal hate crime legislation. She said, “Hate crimes are an affront to the core values that bind us to one another and we should marshal our best resources to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
Twice in her address, Hillary noted that she shared the same initials as the Human Rights Campaign.
“Did you ever notice that?” she joked. At the end of her speech she said coyly, “We can accomplish these goals because we have the same determination, the same can-do attitude and the same initials."
While introducing the senator, HRC President Joe Solmonese mentioned at least three strategy meetings in which Clinton had convened with the Human Rights Campaign on Capitol Hill to defeat FMA.
He said that he and Hillary had a “storied past” that began when he was working with Emily’s List, the pro-abortion group that raises money for Democrat candidates.
“It was Senator Clinton who first summoned me to the Hill to talk about our strategy for defeating the federal marriage amendment,” he said.
He said she asked him: “How are we going to make sure the messaging is united, the Senate is united, the community is united and we are going to kill it [the federal marriage amendment] dead?”
“She brought us the Senate to brief people on how to get this done,” Solmonese recalled. “She convened the meeting and she made sure everyone was in line.”
Hillary thanked Solmonese for remembering these meetings and assured listeners, “I want you to know this is exactly the kind of partnership we will have when I am President."
Hillary moderates her position on gay marriage in front of conservative audiences by saying that she is “personally opposed” to gay marriage and speaking of her support for the Defense of Marriage Act that her husband signed in 1996.
DOMA mandated that no state need recognize a same-sex marriage formed in another state and that the federal government need not recognize same-sex marriage for any purpose.
This isn’t the first time Hillary has met with gay rights groups underneath the radar of the national media. While campaigning through midterm elections, Hillary secretly met with a coalition group of New York-based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender leaders and said she believes in "full-benefits, nothing left out" for same-sex couples.
The only media to cover the event was the New York-based Gay City News.
At that meeting activists told the media that Hillary said that she publicly supported DOMA as a “strategic decision” to put off passage of a constitutional amendment, like FMA, to ban gay marriage outright.
"...including adoption for same-sex couples."
If there is no choice when it comes to sexual orientation, why would a gay couple have an inate desire to raise children. If their natural state denies them the capability to procreate, why is there such a desire to procreate or adopt? Could it be that they are chosing to not adhere to their natural state?
Got your asbestos underwear on? LOL!
She sounds more like Hugo Chavez. She's not only going to steal private industries profits to spend herself, she's going to dictate to private industry who they have to hire.
In America, a business shouldn't have to hire based on what type of kinky sex a interviewer engages in. That's just ridiculous. If a homo comes in for an interview and is totally disgusting, he shouldn't get the job. Other people would be forced to work near him.
What's next? Those who do animals get to be first in line for a job if they donate more to the DNC?
Perhaps you could help me on PC.
Ann Coulter correctly infers one has to go to rehab if the word "faggot" is uttered. Now it's referred to as the "F-word" (although my grandmother and mother would rightly object).
My question concerns the word "lesbian". Is it the "L-word" or can we state it out loud, even proud (when applicable).
Do lesbians go absolutely ape-sh*t when they hear the word "lesbian" or is it somehow a more gentle L-word. How does one know the state of offense? Can we develop a color system that describes the offense, similar to the terrorist warnings?
Regards,
PC Ingnorant
during waning yrs. of klintoon admin. stories/rumors surfaced on web 'bout her homosexual affairs. Wonder when they'll resurface.
Interestingly, the same-sex advocacy and associations that make Hillary a champion to the left, serve as a source of scorn against Rudy- by the same left
I predict Rudy will inherit the burden of being the focus of those suffering Bush Derangement Syndrome
There is no level of pandering she will not stoop. There are no limits to the promises she will not make. This woman--Hillary Clinton (Mrs. Bill Clinton)--defines the corrupt, power mad politician.
They won't re-surface.
Hillary pretty much had unrestricted access to all the FBI files when she was the co-President and made good us eof it. Remember when her staff called her office "the war room"? I'm sure she is prepared to handle any pesky journalist, any staffer, any past associate and all their contacts, any opposition politico, or any of her "enemies" should they pose a threat of exposure.
Mizzzzz Clinton, as a reporter for MTV I'd like to ask you, is it Granny panties or thong?
"We're going to REACH OUT and work with our allies in Congress both to change laws AND CHANGE HEARTS,” she said.
***
Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
GEEZE, she's THAT omnipresent/powerful already...? someone: "say it isn't so."
As a Duncan Hunter supporter I am choosing not to engage in debate on this Rudy Giuliani thread on Free Republic. As a freeper I am disappointed that there are fans of a liberal presidential candidate trying to push socially liberal views on this socially conservative forum. In particular, I have noticed that the Rudy G fans do not answer posts questioning the qualitative substance of their candidate, or the posts are met merely with insults.
Duncan Hunter's campaign website
http://www.gohunter08.com/
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Video of Rudy Giuliani in his own words
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVBtPIrEleM
Transcript of video below.
Will the real Rudy show up at CPAC?
Culture of life:
ABC clip:
George Will: "Do you think Roe v Wade was good constitutional law?"
Rudy Giuliani: "Yes I believe, I believe it is."
Cnn Clip December 2, 1999:
Announcer: "Giuliani was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial birth abortions, something Bush strongly supports."
Rudy Giuliani : "No, I have not supported that, and I don't see my position on that changing."
Immigration
CNN clip:
Announcer: "Back in 1996, mayor Giuliani went to federal court to challenge new federal laws requiring the city to inform the federal government about illegal immigrants."
Rudy Giuliani: "There isn't a mayor or a public official in this country that's more strongly pro immigrant than I am. Including disagreeing with President Clinton when he signed an anti-immigration legislation about two or three years ago."
Gun control:
CNN clip
Rudy Giuliani: "I'm in favor of gun control"
Meet The Press:
Tim Russert: "How about registration of all handguns?"
Rudy Giuliani: "You know I'm in favor of that. I've been on your show many times."
Gay Rights:
CNN Clip:
Announcer: "As mayor he supported civil unions, and extending health and other benefits to gay couples."
ABC Clip: "I supported domestic partnership legislation and signed it"
Meet The Press:
Tim Russert: "So should gay people be openly allowed to serve?"
Rudy Giuliani: "I think people should be judged on the merits. And there should not be a specific focus on someone's sexual orientation."
First Amendment:
ABC Clip
Cokie Roberts: "Would you vote in the senate in favor of Mccain / Feingold?"
Rudy Giuliani: "Yes, I'm a big supporter of Mccain / Feingold. I have been for a long time."
Party Loyalty:
ABC Clip:
Rudy Giuliani: "Frankly George, I'd like to run on all the lines. I'd like to run on the liberal line, the conservative line, I'd like to run on the democratic line if I could figure out how to do it."
Conservative Values:
Meet The Press:
Tim Russert: "Whether it's gays in the military, gun control, campaign finance, late term abortion - you and Hillary Clinton are in sync on those issues."
Rudy Giuliani: "Well then maybe the other side should stop the 'He's part of the vast right wing conspiracy'."
Welcome To CPAC, Rudy!
End clip.
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