1 post tagged “bill richardson”

Sean says...

Stef and I intently watched the historic debate last night where nearly all the Democratic candidates for President attended.  All your majors were there: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich, and Mike Gravel.  Christopher Dodd and Joe Biden did not attend. Each addressed questions separately by moderator Margaret Carlson, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Joe Solmonese, Washington Post editorial page writer Jonathan Capehart, and musician/activist Melissa Etheridge (waits for the double take on this choice... tick tick tick...check out link to editorial about her inclusion). Although not strong questions, it was GREAT to see candidates take on gay and lesbian issues directly. ALL the Republican candidates were invited but did not attend.

Stef and my initial take was the following in terms in who did the best to satisfy us:

1. Edwards

2. Clinton

3. Kucinich/Obama

The LARGEST disappointment was Bill Richardson. When asked by panelist (yes you read right) Melissa E. the question "Do you believe homosexuality to be a choice?" he answered the following way (courtesy YouTube) which was followed by the biggest GASP by gay people I think ever recorded on TV that wasn't a planned acting event:

Really disappointing!  Bill Richardson had a lot of things going for him in my mind and this comment despite the explanation on his website just really deflated at least my balloon. This man is overqualified for the job with a resume that includes congressman (minority whip), Energy Secretary, UN Ambassador, and Governor of New Mexico. But his interviews and debate appearances have truly disappointed me in the last 2 months. The man is great at getting things done apparantly in the past but he can't verbalize why his vision is the best. Ted Kennedy had the same issue when he was deciding to challenge Jimmy Carter in 1980 - "Why I want to be president?" And now one of the big issues on my political checklist (and Stef's too) has a bad mark for him.

You be your own judge here on this and tell us what you think.