Edwards announces backing of gays..by Nedra What A Pickle

[MalloyLiberal]

HEADLINE: Edwards announces backing of gay supporters; CBC Institute sticks with Fox-backed debate

BYLINE: By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

BODY:


Democrat John Edwards is touting prominent gay supporters who have signed on to his presidential campaign, including a former adviser to President Clinton.

Blogger David Mixner is one of 25 people listed on a news release that the Edwards campaign distributed Tuesday, along with a statement from the candidate saying he is honored to have the backing of so many respected gay leaders.

"They work hard every day to make our country a better place and I am proud to join with them to fight for equal rights for all Americans," Edwards said.

Edwards is making a push for gay support in the competitive Democratic presidential primary. In February, he came out in support of legislation that would end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prevents people who are openly gay from serving in the military.

But Edwards has competition for the gay community's support Barack Obama's campaign has also said he is opposed to "don't ask, don't tell," as has Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign. She also told the Human Rights Campaign last month that she wants a partnership with gays if elected president.

Clinton's husband, Bill, was president when the Pentagon instituted the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which says gays may serve in the military only if they keep their sexual orientation private. The policy was a compromise that Clinton was forced to accept.

"Don't ask, don't tell" created a rift between President Clinton and Mixner, who raised millions for him among gay and lesbian voters but was later arrested in front of the White House in a protest of the policy. The two later said they patched up their differences and agreed to disagree on the administration's policy.

Mixner said he's supporting Edwards because he agrees with his position against the Iraq war and believes he would bring the troops home quickly.

Mixner said the Democratic candidates are roughly equal on gay rights issues and he also likes Edwards' focus on poverty and his detailed policy positions.

"I have supported the Clintons in every race they have run in the last 33 years since Bill Clinton ran for Congress up to Hillary's two Senate campaigns," said Mixner, who lives in upstate New York. "But I am baffled and concerned and frustrated with her position on the war."

Mixner said he hadn't told Hillary Clinton that he was changing allegiances, but his position has been clear on his blog.

"One of the problems of that campaign is that it's very hard to gain access if you don't have a lot of money or aren't in the inner circle or I would have talked to her directly," he said.

The Clinton campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

On the Net:

http://www.davidmixner.com/

WASHINGTON (AP) A group affiliated with the Congressional Black Caucus vowed Tuesday to stick with its plan to co-sponsor a presidential debate with Fox News even though top Democrats have said they will not participate.

"We have extended invitations to all presidential candidates to participate, and we are hopeful that they will accept our invitation," the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute said in a statement.

The CBC Institute's alliance with Fox prompted an outcry from liberal activists who complained the cable news network is biased against Democrats and is racially insensitive in its coverage of black issues.

On Monday, Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton joined John Edwards in saying they would skip the debate.

The CBC Institute, which worked out deals with CNN and Fox News to broadcast four debates, on Tuesday sought to assure participants that it, not the networks, would "determine the format and select the panelists for the debates." Each network would be a cohost for a Republican presidential debate and a Democratic presidential debate.

"The debates will be a unique and rare opportunity for the candidates to present their message and ideas to millions of voters in a manner that is unfiltered by any political or news organization," the statement said.

On the Net:

http://www.johnedwards.com

LOAD-DATE: April 11, 2007