2008 In Their Own Words

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--This is the eighth in a series of stories focusing on one specific national issue and detailing where the two major presidential candidates stand.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a special series of stories that Baptist Press will run between now and Nov. 4. Stories will run on Wednesdays and Fridays. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–This is the seventh in a series of stories focusing on one specific national issue and detailing where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called […]

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a special series of stories that Baptist Press will run between now and Nov. 4. Stories will run on Wednesdays and Fridays. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–This is the seventh in a series of stories focusing on one specific national issue and detailing where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called […]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--This is the sixth in a series of stories focusing on one specific national issue and detailing where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called "In Their Own Words," the stories avoid commentary and instead present the candidates' views as they have stated them in the past -- either in interviews, speeches, debates or on their campaign websites. [QUOTE@left@150="I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman."
--John McCain]      Baptist Press in recent weeks has spotlighted the issues of abortion, Iraq the Supreme Court, the energy crisis and immigration reform. Today, BP takes a look at the candidates' positions on "gay rights."       JOHN MCCAIN       -- McCain on the definition of marriage: "The family represents the foundation of Western Civilization and civil society and John McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is only this definition that sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing, and strengthening communities and our nation" (JohnMcCain.com). [QUOTE@right@150="I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution.... I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country"
-- Barack Obama]      -- McCain on the California Supreme Court's May ruling legalizing "gay marriage": "I believe they were wrong, and I strongly support preserving the unique status of marriage between man and woman. And I'm a federalist. I believe that states should make those decisions" (Saddleback presidential forum, Aug. 16, 2008).       -- McCain on the proposed California marriage amendment (Proposition 8), which would overturn the state Supreme Court's ruling legalizing "gay marriage": "I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona. I do not believe judges should be making these decisions" (McCain statement to ProtectMarriage.com).       -- McCain on the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, which gives states the option of not recognizing another state's "gay marriage" licenses and prevents the federal government from recognizing "gay marriage": "I supported the Defense of Marriage Act adopted by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in 1996. DOMA provides states an exemption from the 'full faith and credit' clause so that each state would be able to decide for itself whether to recognize same-sex marriage. The law neither compels a state to recognize a same-sex marriage from another state, nor does it prohibit states from recognizing such marriages ...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--This is the fifth in a series of stories focusing on one specific national issue and detailing where the two major presidential candidates stand.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a special series of stories focusing on the election that Baptist Press will run between now and Nov. 4. Stories will run on Wednesdays and Fridays. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–This is the fourth in a series of stories focusing on one specific national issue and detailing where the two major […]

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a special series of stories focusing on the election that Baptist Press will run between now and Nov. 4. Stories will run on Wednesdays and Fridays. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–This is the third in a series of stories focusing on one specific national issue and detailing where the two major […]