“Uncomfortable” around gays?
EmailIn his new book, "No Excuses: Concessions of a Serial Campaigner," Democratic operative Bob Shrum writes that he once asked former Sen. John Edwards, D-NC, "What is your position, Mr. Edwards, on gay rights?"
"I’m not comfortable around those people," Edwards replied, according to Shrum, adding that the candidate’s wife, Elizabeth, told him: "John, you know that’s wrong."
Sunday on CNN, Elizabeth Edwards took issue with that story and had a more detailed recollection.
"I believe that Bob Shrum brought up the issues of gays and lesbians," Elizabeth Edwards said, "and John said, ‘You know, I come from a small southern town, Baptist, you know….This is, I honestly,’ he said, ‘honestly an abstract issue for me because’ he said, ‘you know, I don’t really know, as far as I know, know any gay people. You know, so, sort of talk to me about it.’
"And I said, ‘Well, actually you do.’ I referred to a friend of mine from English graduate school and how we had been out — John and I had been out for the evening. I saw this old friend from English graduate school when we were still in law school, and I went over and spoke to him, and I knew that he was gay, and I said, ‘You know, I’m engaged. And there’s the fellow over there I’m engaged to.’ And he said, ‘Oh, he’s awfully cute. I might snake him if he wasn’t with you.’ And I told John that. And this is where he used the word ‘uncomfortable.’ He said that made me feel ‘uncomfortable.’ So Bob correctly remembers the word ‘uncomfortable’ but incorrectly remembers the circumstances in which he said it. All of us feel uncomfortable at someone snaking us — I guess in the presence — trying to snake us in the presence of our fiancée, and that made him feel uncomfortable, and John talked about that.
"So he remembers it slightly, but he remembers it incorrectly. From my book, you’ll know I remember things very — in quite good detail from years ago. And I remember this conversation very clearly, and I have talked to John about that, and he does recall exactly the same thing."
– jpt
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She has such a great memory, please. Why is that a Lib can never just apologize for something instead of making up lies.
That would be an awful long answer for a simple question.
Posted by: spock | June 4, 2007, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
I suppose that, for the sake of the story, we should give more credence to Mrs. Edwards’ version of the story than to Mr. Shrum’s. It’s clear that Mr. Shrum has a book to flog, and any kind of controversy like this to help sell it is most welcome from his viewpoint.
More importantly, it’s always amusing anytime a straight person firmly declares that “I don’t really know any gay people.” In such circumstances, he or she is being disingenuous, dishonest, deluded, or simply unwilling to recognize reality. Gays and lesbians may be quiet and may not be easy to discern, but they are “out there,” even in small North Carolina towns.
Posted by: chuck | June 4, 2007, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
Elizabeth Edwards, wow. I can’t remember what I had for lunch today.
As for Chuck’s comment, of course he is correct. John, you know now, and you knew then, many gay people.
Posted by: DKNY | June 4, 2007, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
all this talk about snaking is getting me excited
I mean uncomfortable :p
Posted by: cordelia525 | June 4, 2007, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
spock: Typically insightful response. Thanks for the insight on what all “Libs” do.
Posted by: DKNY | June 4, 2007, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
I love gay people
Posted by: Vanessa | June 4, 2007, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
What a non-issue to write about! Shrum writes a multi-hundred page book and the ONE item from the whole book you choose to comment on is this?! Surely there was AT LEAST one other more important item about which to comment. Or is there something on your personal agenda that made this the ONE?
Posted by: sophillyfatz | June 4, 2007, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
I love the Edwardses. Elizabeth’s friend sounds fun.
Posted by: cute story | June 4, 2007, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm
If that’s how he honestly feels, I think I’d rather John Edwards say he’s uncomfortable around gays than boast disingenuously about how many gays he has as good friends…but my neighbor sophillyfatz is right; this is a non-issue…yawn
Posted by: phillygirl64 | June 5, 2007, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
John and Elizabeth know a gay lawyer from SC who has supported him for 10 years. They know the deal and could not have been nicer to this person. Gay rights was not an issue much discussed in SC and NC. Those states were too busy dealing with the loss of textiles and Republican globalization. That person still is supporting John, and John is way past this issue on human rights.
Posted by: Bonzai | June 5, 2007, 11:21 pm 11:21 pm
You’re pretty good at making up lies, yourself. Maybe you’re a closeted “Lib.”
Posted by: bones | June 6, 2007, 10:08 am 10:08 am
OK bones I am not going back further, you are just like other libs, insult and give no facts, you have yet to give any facts, Why is that?? because your a Marxist follower
First didn’t Edwards lose his re-election bid for Senate, so his his state really does not like him.
This whole thing with this issue is silly,(And I very much dislike Edwards) because who cares, if some feels uncomfortable around a group does not make them anti that group. That is the problem today, you have to 100% support a group of what ever and if you don’t you are called anti-whatevergroup.
Posted by: spocks | June 6, 2007, 11:44 am 11:44 am
spock, it’s funny how your first sentence also applies to YOU! Edwards didn’t run again for the Senate in 2004, so your statement that he wasn’t liked in his state is clearly wrong.
And how did you guess that I’m a follower of Marx? I loved his show, “You Bet Your Life,” and I have every Marx Bros. movie made!
Posted by: bones | June 6, 2007, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
c’mon spock: why is it that you use the term “libs” so liberally ? is everyone that disagrees with you a lib and a liar ?
you say this like conservatives and republicans are bastions of TRUTH ?
(PLEASE)
ALL politicians care ONLY about:
1) raising money
2) getting elected and re-elected
“gay” people have been around A LOT longer than Christians have. MAYBE you cons need to stay of out people’s bedrooms and mind your own business ???
Posted by: skeptical | June 7, 2007, 11:38 am 11:38 am