New Hampshire High School Student to McCain: “I Came Here Looking to See a Leader. I Don’t”
By Chris Johnson
Cross-posted at HRC Backstory
On Thursday, ABC News’ Bret Hovell and Matt Stuart Report posted on Political Radar a “testy” exchange between Sen. John McCain and a Concord, NH high school student who questioned the senator on his stance on gay rights. Of course, McCain reiterated his opposition to repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and legally recognizing gay and lesbian couples.
Here’s a bit of the faceoff:
William Sleaster, a student at Concord High School rose to ask McCain a question about gay rights and, ultimately dissatisfied by the answer he received from McCain, told the Republican presidential contender that he’d come looking to see a leader and didn’t.
McCain first answered the high school student by talking about his support for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the military’s policy regarding gays, and about his belief in the sanctity of marriage.
“Discrimination in any form is unacceptable in America today,” McCain said.
“I understand the controversy that continues to swirl around this issue,” McCain said. “That debate needs to be continued.”
Sleaster pressed on. “Do you support civil unions or gay marriage?”
“I do not,” McCain answered. “I think that they impinge on the status and the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.”
“So you believe in taking away someone’s rights because you believe it’s wrong?”
“I wouldn’t put that interpretation on my position, but I understand yours,” McCain said diplomatically.
…
“I came here looking to see a leader,” Sleaster said. “I don’t.”
I can’t help but wonder if William Sleaster’s opinion changed at all after watching McCain’s convention speech last night. Not surprisingly, nothing in McCain’s speech addressed any of the LGBT issues raised by the student….
September 8th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I wish the press had as much guts to ask the hard questions as this student did. I want to hear McCain and Palin explain why I cannot get spouse or survivors benefits based on my partners earnings just as any other couple.
September 8th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
This is from a year ago, not from this week. It still shows McCain at his ignorant worst, though.