05/01/2008
Gay NC Senate Candidate Neal and Rival Hagan Tangle in Debate
North Carolina Senate Candidates N.C. State Sen. Kay Hagan, openly gay Chapel Hill businessman Jim Neal, podiatrist Howard Staley and attorney Marcus Williams held a debate on Tuesday. Above, a clip of Neal and Hagan responding to questions on gay rights.
Q Notes has excellent coverage of the event (via Pam's House Blend). They note:
"In the past, the Hagan campaign has refused to answer questions regarding the senator’s gay rights positions when asked by Q-Notes staff. Hagan has also not spoken directly to LGBT media, standing in stark opposition to Neal’s consistent and open discussion with a wide array of LGBT-focused outlets. Hagan also refused to answer direct questions regarding equality issues from Durham, N.C., blogger Pam Spaulding during an April 1 BlueNC.com live blog. Hagan has also stated she believes marriage should be reserved for heterosexual couples, but that the issue should be left up to the states. Staley and Williams, two of three lesser known candidates in the race, employed the use of anti-gay rhetoric in their responses, despite the former’s seemingly positive position on DADT."
There was at least one moment of shock in the debate, as Hagan claimed she is the nominee.
Responded Neal: "You aren't running against Elizabeth Dole. You're not the nominee yet. We're running in a primary. We have primaries, not coronations, in North Carolina."
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Senate candidates discuss gay rights [q notes]
NC: Jim Neal and Kay Hagan spar in only televised debate [pam's house blend]
Posted 9:44 AM EST by Andy in Democratic Party, Jim Neal, News, North Carolina | Permalink
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I would move to NC in a heartbeat to marry that man...in our own back yard...with a Universal Unitarian Minister...and two thousand of our closest friends just to shove it down Hagan's throat.
Uh oh. *insert delusions of grandeur*
FIRST Gentleman(?) OF THE UNITED STATES!
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | May 1, 2008 10:24:29 AM
"That's my tiara, bitch!"
Posted by: David D. | May 1, 2008 11:24:26 AM
Who's the cutie homo-derator?
Posted by: Matt | May 1, 2008 11:58:50 AM
My new ex-boyfriend may be in the Senate!
Posted by: otto | May 1, 2008 1:21:21 PM
Thanks for your postings on Jim Neal. He and I used to live in the same building in LA and were good friends. He's a great guy and I am so proud of his bid for Senator in NC.
I called HRC after your earlier posting and they said that they do not endorse candidates in contested races. So if Jim wins the primary, the pressure should be put on HRC to finally get involved and see the historic nature of this race.
Posted by: GLENN | May 1, 2008 9:10:36 PM