The booing of gay soldier Stephen Hill at Thursday night’s presidential debate has been an important topic the past two days. What has each of the GOP/Republican/Tea Party candidates said about the offensive boos from the audience?
Hill, via YouTube, had asked, “My question is, under one of your presidencies, do you intend to circumvent the progress that’s been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?”
There were nine candidates on stage.
But first, one point I believe no one has made: What about the Fox News moderators? Don’t they bear responsibility for controlling the audience as well? In other debates, moderators often are forced to remind the audience to not applaud, or to quiet down. Why is Fox not taking a hit for this outrage either?
Here’s where all nine candidates stand on the booing:
Rick Santorum: Santorum, to whom Stephen Hill’s question was directed, claims he didn’t hear the booing. Earlier, we gave him the benefit of the doubt. But others don’t. Like Markos Moulitsas, who says Santorum clearly paused when the booing began. Or like GOP candidate John Huntsman — who, like Santorum, was on stage.
READ: For Santorum Gays In The Military Reveals Commander In Chief Inadequacy
Santorum ignored the booing, and did not rebuke the Republican audience for booing a gay soldier. If that soldier had not been gay, the candidates would have jumped over each other to defend him.
Santorum delivered a dishonest and offensive response to Hall on Thursday. On Friday, to Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, Santorum finally said, “I condemn the people who booed that gay soldier.” But hours later — hours! — Santorum essentially retracted his condemnation.
Friday, Part One:
“I condemn the people who booed that gay soldier. That soldier is serving our country. I thank him for his service to our country. I’m sure he is doing an excellent job. I hope he is safe. I hope he returns safely, and does his mission well. I have to admit I seriously did not hear those boos. Had I heard them, I certainly would have commented on them.”
Friday, Part Two:
“I heard the question and answered the question, so I’ve heard subsequently that happened. I’ve heard varied reports about whether they were booing the soldier or the policy.”
“I don’t know what they were booing,” he said. “If you can go out and find the people who were booing and find out if they were booing because a man was gay or because of a policy they don’t agree with.”
“You find out why they booed, and I’ll respond to your question.”
Pitiful.
Jon Huntsman: The Former Utah Governor called it “totally unfortunate and unnecessary when someone in uniform asks a question of a panelist in this case, the first response should be thanking the soldier for his or her service.”
“We all wear the same uniform in America. We all salute the same flag I have two boys starting their journey in the U.S military. We should take more time to thank them for their services as opposed to finding differences based on background or orientation,” said Huntsman, according to ABC.
Gary Johnson: “That’s not the Republican Party that I belong to. I’m embarrassed by someone who serves in the military and can’t express their sexuality. I am representing the Republican Party that is tolerant. And to me that shows an intolerance that I’m not a part of in any way whatsoever. ”
Johnson also said, “I’ve been excluded from these debates and I’m feeling a little bit like I’m walking on eggshells. I shouldn’t have done that. If I have one regret from last evening, it’s that I didn’t stand up and say, you’re booing a U.S. servicemen who is denied being able to express his sexual preference, that’s not right. And there is something very, very wrong with that. And when it came to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, I think we should have repealed that a long time ago.”
Only Johnson and Huntsman responded — after the fact — with any degree of appropriateness. Which begs the question: How can anyone who say they “support the troops” be elected president if they don’t support the troops when the troops need support?
Herman Cain: “If you don’t have time to explain your whole position on that, you can very easily be taken out of context so I don’t even want to comment on that.”
Michele Bachmann: Rep. Michele Bachmann’s spokeswoman Alice Stewart said in an email to ABC News, “There was booing and cheering throughout the debate – Michele didn’t comment on any of it.”
Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Rick Perry have all declined or have not responded to reporters questions.
The Advocate adds,
Openly gay presidential candidate Fred Karger was not allowed into the debate but did react to the incident via Twitter: “Booing a U.S. soldier is despicable, un-American and should be condemned,” he wrote.
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Here's a side-by-side comparison of what all 13 presidential candidates plan for DADT, equal pay for military personnel, DOMA, and related issues: http://www.marriageequality.org/Election2012
Sadly this is all true. These candidates are really this extreme. These candidates are the absolute bottom of the barrel and people will actually give them the power over their children's futures. Reinstate DADT, Hand "the ponzi scheme" that is Social Security over to wall street?? Defund public schools that teach evolution? Turn gays straight? Push mistrust of all American Muslims and anyone with darker skin that doesnt carry ID? Push private prisons for profit??? Let em die if they get sick?
Like I said… Disgusting…Absolutely Disgusting
Fox news. When they keep repeating the same phrase "The viewer is supposed to determine what is fact" its as if they are almost laughing in their viewers faces as they take glee in riling up the misspelled sign carriers.
Its funny to watch but when you realize how much damage and how many people they are projecting their rage and hatred on the funny ends.
At this point I think their cheers for execution, booing gays actually serving and let em die if they are poor attitude have outed who Fox watchers really are.
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