Dems' Gay Debate

A few Democrats have signed on to participate in a groundbreaking presidential debate.

No, they haven't agreed to debate on the FOX News channel. They will be taking part in the first televised debate ever to focus solely on gay issues.

I bet at this moment a disgruntled Al Gore is trying to organize a "Climate Crisis" debate.

(Los Angeles, California) -- For the first time the leading candidates for the presidency will hold a televised debate devoted solely to LGBT issues.

The one-hour event will be held on August 9 and broadcast on gay network LOGO at 9:00 pm ET (6:00 pm PT) and through live streaming video at LOGOonline.com.

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Chris Dodd have confirmed they will participate. Several other Democratic candidates also may join the debate.

The debate will be conducted with a live audience in Los Angeles. On the panel questioning the two Democrats will be Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese and singer Melissa Etheridge.

"TWO Democrats"?

I thought four Dems have confirmed that they'll participate.

The debate was put together by LOGO and HRC.

"In the 2008 presidential election, issues of concern to the LGBT community have already been at the forefront of the national conversation,” said Solmonese.

"From the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” to the recent signing of a civil unions bill in New Hampshire, there is no doubt that voters will demand answers to important questions affecting our community."

The panelists in a statement said they plan to cover a range of issues including relationship recognition, marriage equality, workplace fairness, the military, hate crimes, HIV/AIDS and other important issues.

The LGBT vote is considered a decisive electoral force and according to exit poll data make up approximately 4 percent of the voting population.

..."We're honored to give the presidential candidates an historic opportunity to share their views directly with the LGBT audience," Brian Graden, President, Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Group, and President, LOGO said in a statement.

"This forum continues MTV Networks’ tradition of engaging vital niche audiences with voting and the electoral process."

So many "vital niche audiences," so little time.

Anyway, this article makes no mention of plans for MTV Networks' to give Republican candidates the same "historic opportunity" to participate in a gay debate that's being offered to the Dems.

Why is that?

Is it assumed that the LGBT vote, that precious 4%, includes no Republicans?

Is it taken for granted that they don't want to hear what the Republican candidates have to say?

If that's the case, that's an ugly sort of stereotyping.

I suppose if you're gay and not a Dem voter, then you're not really gay enough, in the same way that black conservatives aren't considered really black.

I find it interesting when groups that claim to fight for tolerance can be so intolerant.