With the upcoming elections being one of the most important—and polarizing—in memory, lots of people are pulling no punches when it comes to telling who they are behind. Here is what a few of you had to say in response to our questions about the 2004 elections.
1. Who are you supporting for president?
I admit to being a 'anyone but Bush' voter in the beginning. In the last month, I've started to think John Kerry is the best presidential candidate the Democratic party has had in my lifetime, George McGovern and others who couldn't possibly win aside. — Sherry Pethers, Democratic judicial candidate.
I'm supporting John Kerry. There are so many important reasons why, from the war in Iraq to the economy to the environment. Although I'm not pleased with either candidate's stance on either LGBT issues or HIV/AIDS issues, I believe that there is more hope with Kerry and Edwards. Still, the reason that I am most hopeful of seeing Kerry in office involves the eminent changes in the Supreme Court. The Bush/Cheney conservative influence in these appointments could have a negative impact on our community for generations. — Rev. Stan Sloan, CEO of Chicago House and Social Service Agency.
Kerry. Bush took the largest budget surplus and turned it into the largest deficit in our nation's history. After 9/11, Bush also took the largest surplus of global good will toward the United States and turned that into the largest deficit of good will toward our country. Bush has been the worst president in our nation's history, and we cannot afford another four years of his arrogant mismanagement. God help us if he gets to nominate someone for the U.S. Supreme Court. — Mark E. Wojcik, Professor, The John Marshall Law School.
I'm supporting John Kerry. I think there's a clear difference between what a second Bush term and a Kerry term would be like. As a gay man and a Jew, there's a clear difference between the candidates and John Kerry would clearly be the better president. — Mike Bauer, Democratic fundraiser and activist.
2. Who are you supporting for the U.S. Senate (from Illinois) and why?
I'm behind Barack Obama. He is intelligent, thoughtful, articulate, and takes reasoned positions on issues of importance to me. I doubt any Republican candidate could have dissuaded me from voting for Mr. Obama, but I believe the Republicans who recruited Alan Keyes have insulted the Illinois electorate. — Paul Kobasa, Edgewater resident.
I'm supporting Obama. He is progressive on social issues while being conciliatory to those on the other side of the isle. Dick Durbin is a strong advocate for the state, and Obama is the right person to join him in that role as our other U.S .Senator. — Rev. Stan Sloan, CEO of Chicago House and Social Service Agency.
Barack Obama will make an outstanding U.S. Senator and we can count on him to oppose right-wing appointments to the Supreme Court and protect our civil rights. Barack also understands the inequity that poor women face when they are denied access to safe abortions under our current healthcare system. — Terry Cosgrove, President and CEO, Personal PAC.
3. Why should the GLBT community care about these races?
They should care because voting is one of the most important things we do as participants in this democracy. (One of the others is protecting and making use of our First Amendment rights.) We should care about these races regardless of our sexual orientation. Making an informed choice at the ballot box is a duty, as well as a privilege, of U.S. citizenship, and we in the GLBT community should fulfill that duty and acknowledge that privilege. — Paul Kobasa, Edgewater resident.
Bush has declared war on the LGBT community. His administration has undone much of the progress that our community had made. — Mark E. Wojcik, Professor, The John Marshall Law School.
They should care because our future rests on who makes and approves appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court. — Terry Cosgrove, President and CEO, Personal PAC.
We need to be concerned because of federal legislation. When people propose that people not use sexual orientation as a means of discrimination in employment, the Bush administration is not supportive. Also, two reactions have been particularly hateful: the Federal Marriage Amendment and the CDC cutting off funding to any group that advocates any other means of HIV prevention besides abstinence. That second action is particularly criminal. Lastly, abortion is a GLBT issue. The Bush administration and Justice Scalia are going after the inherent right to privacy. They want to wipe out the whole basis of privacy, which threatens anti-sodomy laws and abortion rights. — Mike Bauer, Democratic fundraiser and activist.
4. Are you focused on any other races occurring on Nov. 2?
Yes. I'm hoping for a win for Tom Daschle in South Dakota. — Paul Kobasa.
I'm following Tammy Baldwin and Dave Magnum in Wisconsin. Tammy has been a strong voice for LGBT issues, and Dave is positioning himself as a progressive candidate to try to capture her seat. It would be a loss to all of us if he is able to do so. — Rev. Stan Sloan.
Cook County Judge Susan Jeanine McDunn is seeking to be retained as a judge—she must be defeated. Type 'Susan McDunn' into a Google search and you can read all of the public details about her incompetence as a judge and her hostility toward gay and lesbian families. Write her name down and keep it in your wallet or with your voter's card, so that you'll remember to punch 'no' on the ballot. Tell your friends and family to do the same. — Mark E. Wojcik.
I am thrilled to be able to cast my vote for Sherry Pethers, the first openly lesbian judge in our area. She won a hotly contested primary race by only about 50 votes. It is always important when we make history—especially lesbians, who are often systematically written out of history altogether. — Toni Armstrong Jr., Andersonville resident.
Several key races for the Illinois General Assembly where pro-choice candidates are seeking to defeat anti-abortion opponents. — Terry Cosgrove, Personal PAC.
