Not that I was a big fan to begin with. But like many Democrats, I was willing to let things play out and see what happens. But today, during an interview with ABC News' Jack Tapper, she was asked about General Pace's comments on homosexuality being "immoral":
I also asked her about the comments by General Peter Pace that homosexulity is "immoral." Clinton has opposed the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, so I asked her if that law -- signed by her husband in 1993 -- was a mistake, and if homosexuality is "immoral."
"General Pace has clarified his remarks, but let's not lose sight of the fact that 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' is not working," she said. "We are being deprived of thousands of patriotic men and women who want to serve their country who are bringing skills into the armed services that we desparately need, like translation skills. And one can argue whether it was a good idea when it was first implemented, but we know have evidence as to the fact that we are in a time of war -- when we really need as many people as we can to recruit and retain in an all-volunteer army -- we are turning people away or discharging them not because of what they've done but because of who they are."
But is it immoral?
"Well I'm going to leave that to others to conclude," she said.
"I'm very proud of the gays and lesbians I know who perform work that is essential to our country, who want to serve their country and I want make sure they can."
Leave that for others to conclude??
Excuse me Senator, but WTF?
How about a response like this:
Of course it's not immoral! Gays and Lesbian soldiers are dying in Iraq alongside straight soldiers. Hundreds of thousands of gay couples have lived long, monogamous lives together without the benefit that married couples get, while those on the Republican side who are quick to condemn gays are in their second and third marriages. If you believe it's immoral because of a few obscure Bible quotes, then you also must believe that people who work on the Sabbath should be stoned to death.
I am so sick of your carefully orchestrated, focus-grouped, run it by Bill answers.
If you don't have the decency to condemn Gen. Pace's comments and say HELL NO IT'S NOT IMMORAL, then I have to conclude you are not sure yourself or are afraid to speak your mind. If that's the case then you don't have my support. Period.
UPDATE at 10:38PM:
I walked through Central Park tonight with a good friend and his dog (it was a beautiful night) and as I often do, I was trying to figure out what aspect of HRC's comments had really ticked me off. And the answer was clear.
"I'm going to leave that to others to conclude"
That's exactly the problem. For years, we have let the "others" conclude that we are immoral. We have let the Pat Robertsons, Jerry Falwells, and Rick Santorums of the world to conclude that we are immoral, and sat by as they spread their message of bigorty and hatem using us as pawns in their rise to power. So when Hillary says she's going to let "others conclude", she's opening to the door for those who marganilize and condem us to continue their campaign of hate.