Reply #27: Edwards: "You don't have to believe in God to be moral."

[PurityOfEssence]

Okay, this is not a "major speech", but I'm just looking quickly and on the fly. He is, head and shoulders, WAY OUT IN FRONT ON THE SUBJECT OF KEEPING RELIGION OUT OF THE POLITICAL FORUM. He's more forward-leaning on this than ANYONE else, including Kucinich. Not only does he deserve great credit for this, it should be seen as an extension of his deep belief in fairness. Please read the Daily Kos link below.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/6/13936/85325

He has been way out in front on keeping religion out of the debate, and this exchange from the Logo forum shows that fairly clearly, and also puts the gay marriage issue into context.

SOLMONESE:
And finally, Senator, you've expressed your opposition to same sex marriage, and you've raised your faith as part of the reason for your opposition. I'm
wondering if you could talk a little bit about what is it within your religion that's leading you to this position?
EDWARDS:
Well, you know, I have to tell you I shouldn't have said that, because first of all, I believe to my core in equality. My campaign for the presidency is about
equality across the board.
And I listened to your discussion with Senator Obama a few minutes ago. I was backstage, and I was able to hear what you were saying and what anyone
here was saying. And it makes perfect sense to me that gay and lesbian couples would say, "Civil unions -- great; 1,100 federal benefits -- great; you know, give
us these rights. We deserve these rights." And they're absolutely right about that. But it stops short of real equality.
It makes perfect sense to me that people would feel that way. I totally can understand it. It makes sense. And the only thing I would say about the faith
question is I think from my perspective it is wrong, because we have seen a president in the last six-plus years who tries to impose his faith on the American
people. And I think it is a mistake, and I will not impose my faith belief on the American people. I don't believe any president of the United States should do that.
I believe in the separation of church and state.
And these things that we have talked about -- all these substantive issues of equality, which is really what the discussion has been about, these are part of my
heart soul and core. And they are not just issues that I will answer when I am in front of you. They are things that I will fight for every day, both in the
presidential campaign and as president of the United States, because I think America desperately needs it, and I believe in it deeply.

CAN YOU IMAGINE HILLARY CLINTON SAYING THAT? Not bloodly likely; her very heart and soul is devoted to AVOIDING anything truly controversial.