Update: Sorry for the original title. I read earlier that Webb was siding with Republicans.
I did a lot of volunteering in 1996 for Mary Landrieu's campaign for Senate. Progressives in Louisiana were excited at the prospect of voting for a woman in the Senate. She was constantly berated for being "Mary 'Liberal' Landrieu" by her right wing and self-described "David Duke lite" opponent Woody Jenkins. I met her twice that year. I found her to be incredibly charming, and among the sweetest people I've ever known. Mary Landrieu used a line in a debate that year that I still consider one of the greatest lines in any political debate ever. It proved to me that she was extraordinarily courageous. And she's lived up to it ever since.
Mary Landrieu is what most of us here would call a conservadem. She voted with George Bush about 75% of the time. She helped eliminate the public option, although she ultimately voted for health insurance reform. But there is one issue where she's almost always departed from her conservadem colleagues. That issue is gay rights. During this session Landrieu has a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign. She's been rated between 89-100% her entire career.
Is she from a state more liberal than Arkansas? No. She's from Louisiana. And she's fought back the anti-gay forces in every election. She's never won easily. She's always had to gut-out a win. If she would only betray the gay community, she'd probably win in a landslide for a change. But she has never sought the easy way out. Even with the New Orleans population dramatically cutback due to Katrina she still holds strong in her stance for gay rights. And New Orleans is where her base is. She'll win upwards of 75% of the vote there. So, her strongest voting block, and most liberal area of the state is crippled. Why doesn't she move rightward on gay rights if only for political convenience? Why would she vote yes on DADT today?
Because unlike Blanche Lincoln, she's not a coward or a homophobe. Her steadfast support for gay rights is what sets apart conservatives from bigots, although such distinctions can rarely be made. I knew Mary would a courageous supporter of gay rights -- even if not so vocal supporter -- based on that great debate line I mentioned above.
I can't find a transcript so I am only going by my memory here. I will try to represent the exchange the best I can:
Woody Jenkins: What people need to know is that Mary Landrieu holds meetings with homosexual lobbyists and accepts donations from homosexuals blah blah blah homosexual agenda blah blah blah
Mary Landrieu: Well, Woody, I would just like to say: I am not ashamed of ANY of my supporters!
Yes. She said that. In a debate that was televised statewide. In Louisiana. In 1996. In the year of DOMA. With the most conservative elements of Louisiana society watching. And that was that.
Who stands that strongly by the gay community in the south? That boldly? On the coasts that might be a no-brainer. But in Louisiana? The state that seriously considered David Duke for Governor? The state where 55% of white people voted for David Duke? That statement was downright radical. So, despite her mostly conservative voting record, I have supported her enthusiastically.
As I mentioned earlier, I met Mary Landrieu twice that year. The second time was when I was invited to Mary Landrieu's honorary inauguration at Gallier Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana. I approached her and told her that that line from her debate was why I worked so hard for her campaign. The cynic in me asked me to challenge her on gay rights. I said something of this sort:
"I hope you were serious about that when you said that. I hope you will always support gay rights."
I don't remember the exact wording of her response. But she looked me intently in the eye and answered in the affirmative.
I understand why Democrats in conservative states like Louisiana feel a need to maintain a fairly conservative voting record, but Mary Landrieu has proven that homophobia need not be part of that voting record. It might make re-election a bit harder, but it doesn't stop you from being re-elected.
The only thing stopping Blanche Lincoln and from voting for the DADT repeal is her own cowardice or plain, old fashioned homophobic bigotry. Democrats in Arkansas: you CAN do better than that.