CT-SEN: Lieberman Touts Endorsement from Anti-Gay Religious Leaders
This has gotten surprisingly little attention. From the New Haven Independent:
A group of New Haven Latino clergy known for virulently opposing gay rights measures threw their support behind U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman's reelection campaign Thursday in a speech that focused on family values and faith. The group said the senator’s opposition to gay marriage contributed to their endorsing him: "We will not support a candidate that will go against the values of the traditional family as we know it and the Bible teaches us."
This endorsement is being touted by the Lieberman campaign on its blog. More on this after the jump.
The article continues that this group of clergy has a history of battling gay rights measures. And interestingly, it suggests that the group backed him partly because of a vote Lieberman cast in favor of a Jesse Helms-backed bill to deny federal funding to schools that counsel students that it's okay to be gay:
The event was a match between two parties with histories of visible opposition to gay rights causes. The ministers organized a vocal crowd to denounce a proposal to establish a New Haven "domestic registry" for gay couples in committed relationships, for instance, denouncing homosexuality as a sin in an hours-long public hearing. Lieberman voted for a measure proposed by Republican then-Sen. Jesse Helms (Senate Amendment no. 2434 to bill number 1513) to deny federal funding to schools that counsel students, even suicidal gay students, that it's OK to be gay.
What's more, one of the ministers said Lieberman's opposition to gay marriage is a key reason the group endorsed him:
After the speech, a reporter asked what issues, including gay marriage, contributed to the endorsement."We’re just not supporting Sen. Lieberman based on one issue," responded Hernandez. "The caliber and character of his integrity is what really draws us to say he is the best candidate."
To what extent the group’s endorsement was based on Lieberman’s stand on gay marriage?
"I wouldn’t say it was the major reason. It was important. It helped us make our decision," said Hernandez.
The Lamont campaign didn't comment on this endorsement. We're not sure why. The whole article's here.




















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