The Los Angeles Times: on Civil Rights

Al Gore: Mass violations of civil liberties in the war on terror

Gore charged that many of the domestic security policies the administration has pursued since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have actually weakened the nation’s security by distracting attention from the most urgent threats. Gore said Bush was frustrating the public’s right to information about its government by resisting investigations into the Sept. 11 attacks; by instructing federal agencies to resist requests for documents under FOIA; and by refusing to disclose details about individuals of Arab descent detained after the attacks.

Al Gore: Repeal the USA Patriot Act

“I believe that the Patriot Act has turned out to be, on balance, a terrible mistake, and that it became a kind of Tonkin Gulf Resolution conferring Congress’ blessing for this president’s assault on civil liberties,“ Gore charged.

In a series of speeches this year, Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft defended the administration’s actions as being respectful of civil liberties and effective in disrupting potential terrorist attacks. ”The Patriot Act,“ Ashcroft said this summer, ”gives us the technological tools to anticipate, adapt and outthink our terrorist enemy.“

Barack Obama: Opposes CA Prop. 8, one-man-one-woman marriage

The muted announcements--McCain supports the proposed ban, Obama opposes it--will have little if any bearing on the presidential contest in California, but the ramifications are serious elsewhere.

Obama first announced his opposition to the measure only in response to media inquiries. He said the nation should recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans “with full equality under the law.”

Obama called the ballot measure “divisive and discriminatory” and concluded by congratulating “all of you who have shown your love for each other by getting married these last few weeks.” Left unstated was that Obama has declined to endorse gay marriage, saying that civil unions would suffice to protect partners’ rights.

Barbara Boxer: Full equality only with same-sex marriage

Boxer, who also favors the repeal of the strictures against gays and lesbians in the military, said homosexual couples would gain full equality only when same-sex marriage was recognized. "The only way to get the rights that married couples have is to go for marriage equality," she said. "I'm glad to say I believe people are coming around to see it."

Bob Barr: I authored DOMA, but now it should be repealed

The left now decries DOMA as the barrier to federal recognition and benefits for married gay couples. The right lambasts DOMA for subverting the political momentum for a constitutional amendment. In truth, the language of the legislation--like that of most federal laws--was a compromise. DOMA was indeed designed to thwart the then-nascent move in a few state courts and legislatures to afford partial or full recognition to same-sex couples.

I crafted the legislation so it wasn't a hammer the federal government could use to force states to recognize only unions between a man and a woman. Congress deliberately chose not to establish a single, nationwide definition of marriage.

Bob Barr: Replace DOMA with state decisions on gay marriage

In 2006, when then-Sen. Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, he said, "Decisions about marriage should be left to the states." He was right then; and as I have come to realize, he is right now in concluding that DOMA has to go. If one truly believes in federalism and the primacy of state government over the federal, DOMA is simply incompatible with those notions.

Carly Fiorina: No same-sex marriage; yes civil unions; repeal DADT

Boxer said homosexual couples would gain full equality only when same-sex marriage was recognized. "The only way to get the rights that married couples have is to go for marriage equality," she said. "I believe people are coming around to see it."

John Ashcroft: USA Patriot Act is respectful of civil liberties

"I believe that the Patriot Act has turned out to be, on balance, a terrible mistake, and that it became a kind of Tonkin Gulf Resolution conferring Congress' blessing for this president's assault on civil liberties," Gore charged.

In a series of speeches this year, Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft defended the administration's actions as being respectful of civil liberties and effective in disrupting potential terrorist attacks. "The Patriot Act," Ashcroft said this summer, "gives us the technological tools to anticipate, adapt and outthink our terrorist enemy."

John McCain: Supports CA Prop. 8: one-man-one-woman marriage

The muted announcements--McCain supports the proposed ban, Obama opposes it--will have little if any bearing on the presidential contest in California, but the ramifications are serious elsewhere.

McCain announced his support last week for the California ballot measure, known as Prop. 8. "I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona," he said.

McCain's case is a tricky one to make; he opposes the proposed federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, which Bush promoted in 2004. McCain's nuanced explanation is that it's up to the states to decide.

John Neely Kennedy: Affirmative action is a fair chance

Jon Tester: Opposes gay marriage; but not worth amending Constitution

Newt Gingrich: Helped oust Iowa justices who approved same-sex marriage

Last year, Gingrich helped secure seed money for a successful campaign to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices who approved same-sex marriage in the state.

Gingrich is now hoping his network of conservative Christian leaders will help him win over evangelical voters in Iowa and South Carolina.

Pat Buchanan: Condemns gays, women in combat, and abortion