What Bill Richardson Meant to Say?

Oh God. It's painful. Bill Richardson, physically the largest of the Democratic candidates, shrunk as he gasped for straight air at the gay debate.

Part I


Part II


I think anyone could put better words into Richardson's mouth - so I'm going to give it a try:

America is not ready for the all out gayness of gay marriage. None of the other Democratic candidates were willing to say this. What Richardson tried to articulate is that gays must exhibit a strategy for gay rights, not just go for the golden ticket of equal marriage. While our nation may not be as polarized as it is portrayed, right now we are certainly varied beyond hope for unity on this issue. In the majority of the United States (31 to be exact), you can still be fired for being gay. Not for coming out. Just for being gay. It is against logic to think this same country is ready for gay marriage. Individual rights is necessary -- not morally superior to -- but necessary before partnership rights can be established. Interracial marriages would never have been legalized before the civil rights movement -- and weren't. African Americans were first treated equally under the law as sovereign individuals. Gay people on the coasts are living large, and (ironically) leaving their brothers and sisters behind. In the middle of the country, gays, lesbians, and transgendered people are still hiding their identity and dying without recognition by a hate crimes bill still pending in congress.

Unfortunately, ranting "You have to do what is achievable" seven times (I counted) steers attention to the ranter rather than the message, no matter how sound that message may be. This is a very serious concern that the other Democratic contenders do not raise. It's really a shame Richardson couldn't find his voice on this topic. It is, in fact, the civil rights issue of our age.