Obama and Edwards on DOMA: Just Say "No" and Just Say Nothing

The Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards presidential campaigns have (finally) detailed their positions on gay rights. Via the New York Blade, the candidates released their responses to the Human Rights Campaign equality questionnaire and their positions are almost exactly as expected. Almost.

Two surprises: Obama reneges on his opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act and Edwards says that he would work for its repeal. Read on.

“Barack Obama supports civil unions that give gay couples full rights, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits currently extended to traditional married couples and the same property rights as anyone else,” says a campaign document titled “Barack Obama’s Support for the Gay and Lesbian Community.” [...]

In their documents, neither Clinton nor Obama addressed the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Barack Obama did address DOMA ... back in 2004 when he campaigned for his current Senate seat: "I opposed DOMA [the Defense of Marriage Act] in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor."

Unlike the Obama and Clinton campaigns, John Edwards beat the holiday travel rush and released his HRC questionnaire on Thursday afternoon. Pam Spaulding uploaded the PDF and the most interesting revelation, besides from pledging to repeal DOMA, is that Edwards is also the only candidate to specifically address marriage equality: "“Gay marriage is an issue I feel internal conflict about and I continue to struggle with it,” he said in the document. “However, I believe the right president could lead the country toward consensus around equal rights and benefits for all couples in committed, long-term relationships.”

Edwards' response might not be the answer you want to hear. but keep this in mind: In declaring his opposition to DOMA, the former senator from North Carolina sets a new bar for the presidential candidates. Obama's strongest position on LGBT issues was his previous opposition to DOMA. With that no longer in play, Obama and Clinton have the exact same positions on LGBT issues.

Clinton, Edwards, Obama Outline Gay Stances [Blade]
Edwards Answers HRC Questionnaire [Pam's House Blend]
Obama on Marriage [Windy City Times]

Some Background ...

Clinton Names Prominent Gay Supporters [R20]
Obama Campaign Names Gay Supporters [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Memo to Mr. Geffen: Get Over It [R20]
Hillary Big Brother "Ad" [R20]
Obama Strategist Behind Hillary Big Brother Ad [R20]

 

Comments

[Andy in Seattle]

Fascinating. While Romney spins like a top and Giuliani flips like a pancake, Obama and Clinton remain silent (or back away quietly). Disturbing.

[cosmic]

Update. Mar. 20, 2008: Barack Obama is currently the only presidential candidate who wants DOMA repealed. Also there is an date error written above which has led some people to conclude that he was in the U.S. Senate "in 1996" when DOMA was passed. He actually entered the US Senate in 2004 as Representative for IL.