Using references to the Comedy Central show 'South Park' and answering questions in what they thought was a candid manner, Presidential Candidate Carol Moseley Braun spoke to students at Concord High School.
"Braun apparently appealed to the students, who crowded around her after the presentation. Many told her she was the most sincere of any of the five candidates who so far have visited the school.
One teenager noted the many student-made banners and signs around the auditorium."
Braun Talks 'South Park' With Students
By J.M. HIRSCH, Associated Press Writer
CONCORD, N.H. - Presidential hopeful Carol Moseley Braun says she was trying to speak the language of her high school audience Thursday when she referenced a "South Park" character who is a promiscuous hermaphrodite drug user.
Braun, a former ambassador to New Zealand who polls show in the bottom tier of the nine Democratic contenders, mentioned the character from the Comedy Central cartoon while talking about poverty at Concord High School.
"Even if your mother is Cartman's mom, you ought to be able to go and get a quality education," she said, prompting a round of laughter from the packed auditorium of teenagers.
Eric Cartman, one of the cartoon's foul-mouthed, wise cracking child characters, lives with a woman who appears to be his mother, but actually is his father and is known around town as a promiscuous drug user.
The reference prompted Dan Broussard, a 17-year-old junior, to stand and congratulate Braun before asking for her stance on reparations to the descendants of American slaves.
"I'd like to applaud you for being the first presidential candidate to make a 'South Park' analogy," he said.
Asked later whether she was a fan of the often controversial program, Braun wouldn't answer, saying only that her reference succeeded in making her point.
In answer to Broussard's question, Braun said the United States must address racial concerns, but that reparations cannot be defined as "Give me a check because my grandfather was a slave."
She said she would rather see a national dialogue about race, similar to that held in South Africa following the end of apartheid. She said that discussion has placed South Africa "light years ahead of us" in terms of race relations.
On the conflict in Iraq (news - web sites), Braun said that though she opposed the war, she wouldn't immediately pull out the troops.
"We blew the place up, and to just leave it blown up is wrong," she said, adding that the United States needs to call on other countries and the United Nations (news - web sites) to oversee the rebuilding of Iraq.
Braun also said she supports gay marriage, comparing the national debate over it to past concerns about marriage between different races.
"Here we are having the same debate," she said. "The right to be in a relationship with the person you choose is a fundamental right."
Braun apparently appealed to the students, who crowded around her after the presentation. Many told her she was the most sincere of any of the five candidates who so far have visited the school.
One teenager noted the many student-made banners and signs around the auditorium.
"Why do we have more stuff for her than the other candidates?" he asked his friends.
"Because she's cool," a girl answered. "Hello! She's the only woman running."
