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Howard Dean Switches on Gay Marriage
May 12, 2009 2:58 PM
ABC News' Teddy Davis reports:
Former Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean discussed his evolution on gay marriage Tuesday, telling ABC News' "Top Line" that he would have signed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Vermont if he had still been governor. The bill became law on April 7 when the state’s Democratic Legislature overrode the veto of Republican Gov. Jim Douglas.
"Sure," said Dean when asked if he would have signed the same-sex marriage bill. "Look, things have changed. There were a lot of things I didn't know. I was the first in the nation. I believe that equal right under the law is for everyone. Each state has the right to make up its mind about how they want to do equal rights under the law. We chose civil unions because we were the first state in the country. Marriage never would have passed. Even I wasn't really ready for that."
"But I thought the people of Vermont would get used to civil unions and they did," he added. "Now they want to move on."
Dean has always believed that the definition of marriage should remain in the hands of the 50 states. However, as recently as a March 2 interview with ABC News, he described himself as someone who does "not have a problem" with a state adopting same-sex marriage rather than as a supporter of allowing gays and lesbians to marry.
The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee would not say whether President Obama, who favors limiting a marriage to one man and one woman, would endorse same-sex marriage before he runs for re-election in 2012. Dean did say, however, that the ground seems to be shifting on this issue for both Democrats and Republicans.
"This is changing," said Dean. "You know, gay people are seen as people first and then as gay or lesbian later, that’s the way it should be. The same as African Americans. The same as Hispanics. The same as everybody who is a member of a minority group. We have to see our humanity first and then whatever category we fall into afterward."
Dean, a medical doctor, also used his appearance on ABC News' "Top Line" to offer his party advice on how to pay for health-care reform.
He said Democrats should pursue an energy tax to "serve two masters": reduce global warming while guaranteeing health-care coverage to every American, including the estimated 50 million who are currently uninsured.
"I think you ought to do a carbon tax," said Dean. "I think most people in this country would be happy to pay an increase in 10 cents to the gas tax if they knew they’d have health insurance no matter what happened."
Dean is wary about the prospect of limiting the tax exclusion for employer-provided health benefits, an idea which has been put on the table by Montana Sen. Max Baucus, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
"I'm not big on just taxing gold-plated anything for the sake of taxing gold-plated people," said Dean. "I actually think that this probably won't work. That the president got it right when he was on the campaign trail. And my guess is that this won’t pass. It has to be discussed. It's one of the options, the Republicans like it."
"But look," he added, "the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Baucus, is looking at lots of different things."
To watch the full interview with Dean, click here.
Also, per usual on Tuesdays, Republican strategist Kevin Madden spoke with ABC News' "Top Line." Today's talk with Madden focused on Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) entering the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Mel Martinez.
Watch the talk with Madden here.
ABC News' Elizabeth Gorman contributed to this report.
May 12, 2009 in Top Line | Permalink | Share | User Comments (13)
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Mr. Dean just outlined the plan to break down traditional beliefs about gay "rights". One little piece of breakdown and now he says things have changed. Things are the same as they always were. Acceptance has advanced because given an inch people look to take a mile. Nothing is ever enough. As soon as we get used to polygamy we'll accept it as being the norm. Same thing with beastiality. Homosexuality is only the beginning of moral breakdown in the field of marriage. All in the interest of votes, also known as political correctness.
Posted by: mmonroeliveson | May 12, 2009 3:52:10 PM
Dean is back?! OMG!
Posted by: LongT | May 12, 2009 3:58:06 PM
I agree with one thing-Things have changed. A medical doctor that don't know his plumbing? Anyway, there is no change-The U.S. is a Nation that believes that there is no laws of life or nature that cannot be changed to suit if the price is right! We are not corrupt, we are realistic... After all, we have staed , for the record, that politics makes for strange bedfellows.
Posted by: Dave of Detroit | May 12, 2009 4:06:17 PM
Is that stupid dude still around?
Posted by: BikernAz12 | May 12, 2009 5:44:03 PM
Smells like ANOTHER stinkin' democrat's preparing for a run in 2012. By the time Obama and his cast of clowns get done trashing this country in every way possible, americans will be welcoming the GOP back with open arms! Any bets? Didn't think so.
Posted by: Machod | May 13, 2009 7:53:08 AM
The way that someone reacts to change tells alot about them. Change is inevitable and while some people are able to adapt, others just lash out with whatever they can and the amount of vitriol and fear-mongering is astonishing.
While many people (republicans lol) probably don't understand that peoples beliefs and opinions can evolve (they probably don't believe evolution anyways), people do change, and howard dean also has a right to. Some words or opinions expressed xx years ago may not be the same in the future
Posted by: michael | May 13, 2009 8:09:04 AM
why does anybody care what Howard Dean thinks...he has been exposed as a kook
Posted by: phillysmart | May 13, 2009 12:51:32 PM
Another politician selling out morals for votes. Just like the pageant. This woman was attacked for having her beliefs that have been aroung since the begining of time. It's to the point that if we believe what nature intended then we're attacked. When i've posted my opposition to this lifestyle i've been called names and attcked myself. I myself never attacked anyone. Politicians will sell out every time for votes. Dean will never have my vote for anything.
Posted by: Jack | May 13, 2009 4:35:44 PM
Why in the world does everyone have to be the same? How boring life would be.
The world is way too populated as it is. Thank Nature, she made some gay! Why be so critical of something that doesn't affect you? Or does it...come on out...
Posted by: otter4771 | May 13, 2009 6:10:42 PM
Almost none of the arguments here are worth the time it took to write them. There is a single legal fact that no one will get around - denying same sex marriage is a violation of the US Constitution. I've had this same discussion a dozen plus times right here and not one person has ever presented a legal argument against same sex marriage being legal.
Posted by: morethanpolite | May 13, 2009 8:34:30 PM
To all you gay marriage opponents out there -- does it make you feel better about yourself to put other people down? Young people simply don't see this issue the way you do, and in a few generations this issue will be settled on the side of equality. Why don't you all just give up the discrimination and join the party. We gays do through the best parties, ya know.
Posted by: GRX100 | May 17, 2009 7:37:42 AM
Yes, things do change. Times change. People change. Opinions change. Society changes. But guess what does NOT change? Right and wrong! Right is right and wrong is wrong. It will always be that way. Just because your opinions have "evolved" into thinking the sun rises in the west and sets in the east doesn't make it so.
Posted by: ernie5229 | May 23, 2009 10:05:50 PM
What has changed and continues to change everyday is demographics!
Young people know, on average, 1 in 10 of their friends, colleagues, schoolmates, fellow church members, fellow military service members is gay or lesbian AND THEY DON'T CARE!
The intolerant are dying and the tolerant young are reproducing! Welcome to the brave new world of equality!
Posted by: Artemis Eneldo | May 30, 2009 1:05:00 PM
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