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By
WILLIAM R. KAPFER | Oct 1, 1:06 PM
Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)
told the Blade in an exclusive written interview this week that
he appreciates the Log Cabin Republicans’ decision to
endorse him, and he hopes “gay and lesbian Americans will
give full consideration to supporting me.”
McCain’s decision to answer questions submitted to him
in writing marks the first known time a Republican presidential
nominee has agreed to an interview with a gay publication.
McCain reiterated his long-held position that he would leave
it up to military leaders to decide whether the
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law should be
retained or repealed. But he suggested that he would support a
“review” of the policy.
Washington Blade: What personal experiences or friendships
in your life have shaped how you view gay issues?
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Republican presidential nominee John
McCain reiterated his support for California’s Proposition
8, which would ban same-sex marriage there, but indicated he is
open to a review of the military’s ‘Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell’ policy. (Photo by Carolyn
Kaster/AP) |
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John McCain: I have known former Congressman Jim Kolbe for 25
years. We first ran for Congress in Arizona the same year
— in 1982. We served together starting in 1985. He’s
a great American who spent two decades serving his country in
Congress. Like me, he also served in Vietnam so we have a
special kinship. When he came out in 1996, there was no question
that I would stand by him. He’s a friend and a patriot and
has been an admirable public servant, and a good example of why
someone’s sexuality should not be relevant in public life.
I have also known former Tempe Mayor [Neil] Giuliano for many
years. He headed Mayors for McCain in our 2000 campaign. I stood
by him when there was an effort to recall him in 2001, led by
people who objected to him being an openly gay public official.
He was a hard-working public servant and someone I have great
respect for.
Blade: Do you have any role models who are openly gay,
lesbian, bisexual or transgender?
McCain: I had the humbling experience of speaking at Mark
Bingham’s funeral after the attacks on Sept. 11. Mark had
supported me during the 2000 campaign. Unfortunately, I barely
knew him, but our country learned about him after 9-11. He was
one of the heroes on 9-11 who tried to retake control of United
Flight 93. His efforts along with the other brave patriots could
have saved hundreds of lives. I honor and respect Mark.
Memories of his sacrifice and the other victims from 9-11
motivate me everyday to make sure we keep our nation safe from
the terrorists who want to attack our way of life because
freedom is a threat to their message of hate.
Here’s what I said during his eulogy:
I love my country, and I take pride in serving her. But I
cannot say that I love her more or as well as Mark Bingham did,
or the other heroes on United Flight 93 who gave their lives to
prevent our enemies from inflicting an even greater injury on
our country. It has been my fate to witness great courage and
sacrifice for America's sake, but none greater than the selfless
sacrifice of Mark Bingham and those good men who grasped the
gravity of the moment, understood the threat, and decided to
fight back at the cost of their lives. (The full eulogy is
available at tampabaycoalition.com/files/0921McCainPR.htm)
Blade: Would you decline to nominate a qualified Supreme
Court justice, cabinet member or other appointed position just
because the person is openly gay?
McCain: I have always hired the most qualified and competent
people — regardless of their political party, race,
gender, religion or sexual orientation.
Blade: Would you decline to nominate a qualified Supreme
Court justice or cabinet member who had a history of anti-gay
rulings?
McCain: I will nominate judges who interpret the
Constitution, not judges who legislate from the bench.
Legislators pass laws; judges interpret them. Unfortunately, too
many judges have become confused [about] their role.
Blade: President Bush has been praised for his AIDS relief
efforts in Africa, but many domestic AIDS service providers say
the U.S. focus on the epidemic abroad ignores growing infection
rates here at home. How would your AIDS policies differ from
President Bush? And would you put a greater focus on the
domestic problem?
McCain: I’m proud to have supported President
Bush’s efforts to address the international AIDS crisis.
History will remember him for the PEPFAR program, which has
saved millions of lives. We’ve made progress on the
domestic front too, but not enough. I am committed to supporting
the development of a National AIDS Strategy. Countries receiving
PEPFAR aid are required to develop a national plan; but we
don’t have one in our country.
It’s important to settle on a national strategy —
with input from state, local and federal government officials;
along with the private sector, doctors, drug companies and AIDS
advocates. Let’s roll up our sleeves and put together a
National AIDS Strategy for more effectively addressing the
domestic challenges.
Recent CDC statistics show that gay men continue to be
strongly impacted by the disease, and the disease is
disproportionately affecting people of color. Our prevention and
treatment efforts must be improved to address these challenges.
Blade: Would you resume the practice started by President
Clinton but discontinued by President Bush of creating a
high-level White House staff position serving as liaison to the
GLBT community?
McCain: I have already publicly stated that there will be no
White House Office of Political Affairs in my administration
— professional politics should be at the party committees,
where it has a rightful place, not in the White House. I intend
to be a President for all Americans. This discussion is somewhat
premature given that I have not been elected (yet).
Blade: Important gay rights legislation unrelated to
marriage has been stalled in Congress for some time. You have a
reputation for having challenged your party in the past. Would
you work with Congress to pass or deal with any of the
following: ENDA, the hate crimes bill, repeal of
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?”
McCain: I promise to give full consideration to any
legislation that reaches my desk. On “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell,” I’m going to defer to our
military commanders. So far they have told me it’s
working. I’m willing to have the policy reviewed to make
sure that’s the case, but at the end of the day, I’m
going to rely on the commanders who will be impacted by a change
in the law.
Blade: What is your advice to gay rights activists as to
what they should pursue and realistically expect to pass in 2009
with regard to the issues listed above?
McCain: My advice to all Americans is that it is time we came
together to work in a bipartisan fashion to find real solutions
to the challenges facing our country. I will be the President
for all Americans — and will challenge every American to
work with me to put our country first.
Blade: Would a McCain administration be willing to meet
with and work with gay leaders to discuss matters of interest to
the gay community?
McCain: I have met with leaders of Log Cabin Republicans in
my campaigns. I am always willing to listen to all viewpoints
and that will continue if I become President.
Blade: What is your reaction to the news that Log Cabin
Republicans endorsed your campaign and will the Log Cabin
Republicans be welcome in the White House if you're elected?
McCain: I appreciate Log Cabin’s support. I’ve
had a friendly relationship with the organization for almost 15
years. We don’t agree on every issue, but I respect their
commitment to the GOP and I thank them for their support. Our
party needs to focus on what unites us and I appreciate Log
Cabin’s effort to make the GOP more inclusive. I have
always been willing to discuss the important issues of the day
with Log Cabin members and that will continue if I am elected.
This is going to be a close election and we need support from
every American.
I hope gay and lesbian Americans will give full consideration
to supporting me. The stakes are high in this election. I will
have an inclusive administration and I will be a president for
all Americans.
Blade: What are your views regarding the Defense of
Marriage Act? Do you think DOMA devalues the relationships of
gay citizens?
McCain: As a Republican, I am a strong advocate for
federalism. States should be able to decide as many issues as
possible. That’s certainly the case on the definition of
marriage. My home state of Arizona shouldn’t be compelled
to recognize a marriage from California or Massachusetts. Those
states can decide that issue by themselves.
However, at the same time, my own view is that marriage
should be reserved for a man and a woman. That’s what I
supported in Arizona. I realize this is a controversial issue
and we must conduct this debate in a way that respects the
dignity of every person.
Blade: What is your view of attempts to pass a
constitutional ban on same-sex marriage? Do you think repeal of
all of DOMA would prompt Congress to strongly consider and
possibly pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage?
McCain: I voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in
2004 and 2006. I continue to oppose such an amendment today,
because as I’ve explained this should be a state matter,
and not one for the federal government — as long as no
state is forced to adopt some other state’s standard.
Blade: Regarding adoption by same-sex couples, you have
been quoted as saying you don’t believe it’s
appropriate. Can you elaborate?
McCain: I hope my comments are not misinterpreted. I respect
the hundreds of thousands of gay and lesbian people who are
doing their best to raise the children they have adopted. As
someone who adopted a child, Cindy and I know better than most
couples the amazing satisfaction that comes from providing love
to an unwanted child. I believe a child is best raised by a
mother and father because of the unique contributions that they
make together to the development of a child.
At the end of the day, this isn’t an issue the
president deals with. I’m a federalist, and this is an
issue reserved to the states in our system of government.
Blade: What is your position on California's Proposition
8, which would ban same-sex marriage there?
McCain: As I did in my home state of Arizona, I support the
effort in California to define marriage as the union of a man
and a woman. However, the people of California will ultimately
decide this issue, and I’ll of course respect the decision
of the voters.
Blade: Do you foresee a day when the federal government
will recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships performed
by states?
McCain: I honestly don’t know.
Blade: How would a McCain administration approach
abstinence-until-marriage sex education initiatives? What is
your view regarding programs that provide safe-sex messages
specific to gay youth?
McCain: I have supported including abstinence as a component
of sex-education programs. Decisions regarding programs targeted
specifically at gay youth should be made based on a review of
the scientific data to determine what works and what
doesn’t, but they must encourage responsible individual
behavior.
Blade: When asked last year whether condoms help stop the
spread of HIV, you were uncertain. Are you confident that
condoms do help stop the spread of HIV?
McCain:
Of course they help, but we can’t remove
responsibility from the equation. Condoms aren’t
fail-proof. People must behave responsibly and make wise
decisions. Government can help with prevention strategies, but
all people must choose to take responsibility for their own
health.
Blade: Will you support the Employment Non-Discrimination
Act if elected president?
McCain: Gay and lesbian people should not face discrimination
in the workplace. I’ve always practiced that in my hiring.
I select the best people, regardless of their sexual
orientation. I support the concept of non-discrimination in
hiring for gay and lesbian people.
However, we need to make sure legislation doesn’t lead
to a flood of frivolous lawsuits or infringe on religious
institutions. What I can say now is I will give careful
consideration to any legislation that reaches my desk, and
confer with Congress before making decisions.
Blade: Del Martin died on Aug. 27. She and Phyllis Lyon,
her partner of 55 years, got married in the first legal gay
union in California in June —affording Phyllis many of the
basic protections and rights granted to married couples, such as
hospital visitation and estate planning issues. Do you
envision a time when all GLBT citizens will have similar basic
rights? During your administration?
McCain: I respect that Del and Phyllis spent a lifetime
together. As I stated earlier, however, I believe that
issues regarding marriage and family laws are best decided by
the states and not the federal government.
Blade: What are your thoughts on the Matthew Shepard
Act?
McCain: I have voted against the proposal several times. Let
me make it clear that no one should face violence because of who
they are. It’s un-American and morally repugnant. People
who commit any violent crime should face tough penalties.
However, I am not convinced that this is properly a federal
issue, or that criminal sentences for terrible crimes should be
longer because of the views of the perpetrator or the identity
of the victim.
Blade: How would you handle institutions such as the Boy
Scouts and Salvation Army, which have been known to engage in
discrimination against gays, to underscore your message?
McCain: I don’t believe that’s an issue for the
President to deal with. I supported the Supreme Court’s
decision in the Dale case. The Boy Scouts are an important
institution in our society and they should decide this issue on
their own.
Editor’s
note: John McCain’s presidential campaign this week agreed
to respond in writing to these questions, which were drafted by
William R. Kapfer, co-president of Window Media, the
Blade’s parent company, and Blade staff and submitted to
the campaign by Kapfer.
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"I hope gay and lesbian Americans
will give full consideration to supporting me"
- Sen. John McCain