I’ve spent a good part of the day watching the Kay Hagan-Jim Neal debate. The video of the entire debate, which does feature fellow Senate candidates Marcus Williams and Howard Staley, is squirrely (my computer is a admittedly a bit slow, too) plus I don’t see where you can replay and fast forward. Help me if I’m missing something.
YouTube clips help. The most interesting exchange took place during the discussion of the gay rights issue. The question revolved around the military’s ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy. Neal, who is openly gay, said he did not favor the policy and then launched into the 1967 Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court decision overuling anti-miscegenation laws. Neal then turned to Williams, who is African-American, and made this very interesting statement:
“In all due deference to Mr. Williams, it wasn’t until 1967 that you would have been able to marry a white person.”
Then watch Hagan’s response and please tell me if she even answered the question.
Bonus observation: Neal described “don’t ask don’t tell” as “legislation,” and Staley reminded him that it was military policy. Williams noted that Neal’s Loving v. Virginia reference is a false analogy, because it certainly is unconstitutional to prevent a man and a woman of different races to marry. Supporters of gay marriage often use that analogy.
As for Hagan’s response, she did say that our country had “an all-volunteer army, and it should be open to all volunteers.” Good blanket statement, but she still never addressed the issue directly, quickly moving on to the problem of soldiers who speak Arabic getting discharged while felons are allowed to serve. Hagan then finished up with a quick note saying she’d support hate crimes legislation.
