I congratulate Mr. Sleaster for being bold enough to question a presidential candidate. As others have stated, it is our duty to question candidates with fervor. Those persons who step into the public arena, whether it be for public service or fame or future riches, they do so knowing that they will be questioned and scrutinized exhaustively. It may be wrong in some instances but they do so knowingly.

And, finally, if McCain believes in the sanctity of marriage, why is he divorced? And, why does he and every other divorced Republican candidate (but for Romney) not advocate a bill to truly protect the sanctity of marriage by outlawing divorce but for cases of physical abuse????

At least someone had the guts to say it. Too bad it's a high school student and not a regular-Joe voter. And why shouldn't gay marriage be legal? Just because someone's outdated and skewed interpretation of the Bible says it shouldn't? Equal rights for all, period.

Whatever happened to Renegade Mccain..

Oh wait...he pandered to George Bush and the Bob Jones University types.

That high school kid had every right to question the validity of Mccain's campaign.

Ahh, the "desperation that homophobic bigots are experiencing". That's the typical smear tactic used by those who so boldly believe in their own enlightened position that they don't deign to actually engage in debate. Mr. Sleaster is someone who came to this meeting with an agenda and managed to highlight the blissful ignorance of a generation enamored with it's own psuedo intelligence. More and more Americans are not becoming supportive of the gay and lesbian "plight" but the media and academia are getting more and more up front and vocal about their support of the issue. There are few voices in the "mainstream" media that oppose "gay marriage". But outside of those concentrated blue zones on the opposite coasts most Americans are pretty disgusted by the idea. But then again, the rest of America is not nearly as enlightened as those inhabiting those cities. Homosexuality, like prostitution, drug abuse, murder, rape and various other social cancers has and always will be with us. We accept it as part of life. Just don't try and force feed us the politically correct, moral equivalency garbage that makes up your socialistic, nihilistic philosophy. FYI, I'm no supporter of McCain.

"There are few voices in the "mainstream" media that oppose "gay marriage". But outside of those concentrated blue zones on the opposite coasts most Americans are pretty disgusted by the idea."

how do you know that? who are you to speak for most americans? why does your opinion matter more than anyone else's?

i think what that kid did to mccain was awesome. and who cares that he's only in high school, and that he probably isn't able to vote in the next election anyway? the point is, this kid had the courage to stand up to a potential american president and didn't back down for one second.

what were mccain's intentions in speaking to a high school crowd anyway, but to gauge how his talking points go over with the younger generation? was he hoping to get canned applause from students he thought didn't know any better? well, there's your answer mccain, even though you knew it all along.

so get over it, move on and be a part of the country's forward momentum -- or peacefully step back and make room for somebody who really does get it.

"Homosexuality, like prostitution, drug abuse, murder, rape and various other social cancers has and always will be with us."

I can't believe you just grouped homosexuality with rape and prostitution. People like you are the reason our country is bass-ackwards as far as civil rights go. Who cares if you think it's disgusting? You don't have to get married to a same-sex partner. Let ALL of our citizens have equal rights, it doesn't have to be about the Bible, it should be about equality and what our country used (and should still) to stand for.

I agree with poster Rocknation. Opposing discrimination while supporting Don't Ask Don't Tell and being anti-gay marriage contradict each other and put McCain's credibility--and by extension, his leadership skills--into question.

congrtats to this High Schooler. it's a shame when a person in High School is the only one to know the difference between double-speak rhetoric and BS. Too bad more adults aren't up to speed with what credentials a real leader needs.

btw: he was no way disrespectful, in fact McCain was, for not answering the question.

"how do you know that? who are you to speak for most americans? why does your opinion matter more than anyone else's?"

"somebody who really does get it."
See above mention of enlightened psuedo intellectuals who truly believe they have acheived some sort of special insight into what society is supposed to be.

I have as much right to speak for most Americans as any one else. I never said my opinion mattered more than any one else's. But that is the usual liberal retort. The fact is, that some opinions do matter more than others. Usually those opinions based on a review of facts. But then again, facts have never been one of the liberals (read utopian socialists) big concerns. It's all about feeling and "moving forward". Moving forward to what exactly? An amoral, godless commune like existence? Go and practice your utopian fantasies with the trees. The incovenient truth of the matter is that there are far too many of us "right wing, religious conspirators" to allow a couple of joint smoking, non bathing hippies to coopt this country and conform it to their image of one big do what you want woodstock. There are not equal rights for everyone nor should there ever be. That is called anarchy. Of course, I forget that that's exactly what a growing percentage of left wingers would like to achieve. So, for your edification here's just one recent poll.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Aug. 6-8, 2007. N=1,029 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

"Do you think marriages between homosexuals should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?"

8/6-8/07 .

Should Should Not Unsure
% % %
40 57 3

I support Barack Obama 100%. But I totally disagree with that student's behaviour.

Yes, he was very disrespectful and Yes, McCain was very diplomatic.

Shame to you, Sleaster or hwetevr your name is.

This young man is the nose under the tent: the old, hateful, bigoted and fearful geezers will soon die, and thoughtful, caring, loving and democratic people like our young high school student will be the majority. For anyone looking at the demographics: it's about 8 years now, and the Old Haters will be dead, and the Young Americans will be in charge. Bye-bye, haters, hello, young Americans!

What we'll find out soon, is that republicanism is a disease, likely viral, possibly inherited, and we'll know which direction to turn for a cure.

Meanwhile, the only response that makes sense: quarantine. If you find yourself in the same location as a republican, quickly get a surgical mask on, and leave the premises. Do not, do NOT attempt to engage the patient, this should only be undertaken by professionals. If you can, call former Senator Larry Craig for advice and logic.

The Senator was talking about "sanctity"? What the heck does THAT have to do with the question? He dodges a question about civil unions or gay marriages by babbling about "sanctity"? This guy is either nuts or stupid. The US government has no power to rule on the sanctity of anything.

"But then again, facts have never been one of the liberals (read utopian socialists) big concerns."

Wow, some jokes really do write themselves! It would take a joke like that to believe in this superstition about gays.

"Ironic the kid's name is Sleaster... McCain seems to have handled the situation in a very diplomatic way to a student who was quite disrespectful."

nope, that ain't irony, and mcvain already used up his lil jerk comeback. so solly please try again

I am a Gay American and I would not die for my country.

It has done nothing to provide me with equal rights. With foriegn countries recongnizing their gay citizens with the right to marry, they are surpassing the world's most powerful nation in humanity and respect.

I was born a second class citizen and hopefully, with the help of our next generation, I won't have to die one.

Bravo for questioning authority.

The student was correct. Sen. John McCain is not a leader. He is a follower. Following whatever the Right Wing Religious Organizations tell him to do. He is doing the work for Pat Robertson, James Dobson, and Gary Bauer.

Utopian Socialists? You mean, Communists? Wow, tellitlikeitis, you can use Wikipedia to string together words that you believe make you sound intelligent. We're all very impressed. But save the pseudo-intellectualism, and just call us Commies like you want to.

And precisely which "facts" are YOU so concerned with, tellitlikeitis? The "fact" that the universe is 5000 years old? The "fact" that dinosaurs and humans lived happily together as portrayed on The Flintstones? The "fact" that every animal on the planet today had an ancestor on a big wooden ark a few thousand years ago? Or is it the "fact" that God hates homosexuals and wants you to hate them too?

As for your poll, I'm sure you can find a poll from the 1950's that supported segregation. Do you support that, too? What's the difference? It's our responsibility as a society to protect and equate the rights of minorities among us. Especially when it's not the popular thing to do.

Have fun on your trip to the creationism museum, tellitlikeitis. Do lots of research.

Sorry, TILII, my comments were actually meant for Pete.

Bravo!!! Mr. Sleaster - my hat is off to you. Way to call it as you see it.

Regardless of whether other's agree with your or disagree with you - it is YOU who acted like a leader, by doing what your heart told you to do.

Those people on this board who are insulting you for speaking your mind -- THEY are the followers. I'd venture that those who have a problem with what you said are simply 'Right-Wing-Authoritarin-Followers.' They believe that it's your DUTY - as an American citizen - to shut up and keep from doing anything that undermines the authority of our glorious "leaders." Don't believe them.

Again, bravo for showing what TRUE leadership is all about.