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Edwards flaunts gay supporters
11/04/2007 07:28 - (SA)
Washington - US presidential candidate John Edwards is touting prominent gay supporters who have signed on to the Democrat's presidential campaign, including a former adviser to President Bill Clinton.
Blogger David Mixner is one of 25 people listed on a news release the Edwards campaign distributed on Tuesday, along with a statement from the candidate saying he is honoured to have the support 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 - senator Barack Obama's campaign has also said he is opposed to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," as has senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign. She also told the Human Rights Campaign last month she wants a partnership with gays if elected president.
Clinton's husband 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 later was 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 did not respond to an e-mail requesting comment on the Edwards endorsement.
- AP
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