A local lesbian blogger has been going out of her way to point out how Hoeffel is her pick for PA governor, and it isn’t hard to see why. Hoeffel is painting himself as the same-sex marriage candidate. This quote is from John Micek’s column today, where  John is pointing out how, in general, PA Democrats are still fairly uninvolved, and then goes on to give a brief overview of each candidate. That he highlights Hoeffel’s same-sex position is telling.
Bald and professorial, Hoeffel favors full marriage rights for same-sex couples. And he bills his governing approach as a “move to the progressive center” because it mixes fiscal conservatism and liberal social policies.
My position has been pretty clear, and if it hasn’t, let me clarify it now. Support for same-sex marriage is a red herring of an issue in this coming election. It does only 2 things. It attempts to paint Hoeffel as a very progressive progressive, and it serves as a lure for the lesbian and gay community which has been so brutalized by the ongoing attacks on our basic civil rights, and the broken campaign promises by the current “Democratic” president. The simultaneous loss of Marriage Equality in California with the election of Hope was a traumatic wound from which our GLBTQ community has not yet fully healed. Truly, the wound will always be there- it demonstrated the degree to which those who seek our support don’t really come through for us in the end. I think we might be more over this assualt, except that time and time again, Obama has continued to call himself a fierce ally while he has continued to inflict injury upon us.
California politics are a mad house, and the fact that their constitution can be changed so easily is frightening. True lunacy! But we (in the general sense) don’t think about that part of it. We still cringe, and have an immediate knee-jerk reaction, gravitating to anyone who will say so unabashedly that he supports same-sex marriage. We need and deserve the comfort this position suggests. But what will it actually accomplish?
However this is 2010, and this is Pennsylvania politics, and what about same-sex marriage? I’m thrilled that Hoeffel is such a progressive! We need more progressives, but we also live in a state with few of them, except in the far east and far west corners of the state. So, rather you than tell me how big of a progressive he is, I care more about what can he or any candidate do to keep this state moving towards protecting all PA residents from discrimination, while allowing our state to succeed in these tough economic times.
Hoeffel’s support for same-sex marriage is a red herring because as governor, there will be nothing he can do with it to bring this level of equality into being. Nothing. I do not doubt the integrity of his position (he has been a progressive for a long time), but it is really easy to be so supportive for something that has no possibility of happening in the state. He will get the accolades for holding such support, but no criticism when it doesn’t come into being. And Pennsylvania is no where ready to accept same-sex marriage. Even with strong proponents like Daylin Leach, the Senate is no where near ready to embrace the full equality of Lesbians and Gays. We can’t even get full protections in employment, housing and public accommodations passed, let alone marriage.
But Hoeffel isn’t the only candidate to make direct comments about same-sex marriage. Jack Wagner has recently tried to also use this issue to win some votes. The PA Family Institute released a questionnaire for all of the candidates, and the other 3 Democratic candidates didn’t respond. But Wagner did, offering his comments to the right wing questions. On a question about support for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage by defining marriage as between one man and one woman, Wagner points out (to the far right readers of the questionnaire) that he voted for the states DOMA. It is like he is saying, “I might be a democrat, but I’ve been on your side against gay marriage.” Wagner is not the only democrat who is not fully supportive of same-sex marriage, but he is the only one who wanted to highlight his connection to the far right so vividly.
Some within the Pittsburgh LGBT community have gone out of their way to attack Dan Onorato for not being gay supportive enough, and Dan’s support from civil Unions or Domestic Partnerships has been a part of that. Not all of it, but a big part of it. But it is more than that. A Hoeffel staffer, who I won’t name, was quick to point out how is boss was in favor of same-sex marriage, unlike the candidate I have shown the most support for. Red Herring! The next governor of PA will not have any influence on what happens in terms of same-sex marriage here, unless it is Tom Corbett who will fully support a constitutional ban on gay marriage! Would Wagner join Corbett in supporting such a ban? Based on his response to the PA Family Institute, he just might.
Thanks for adding your comment. I am glad you will keep fighting, but it will take more than a few swipes at PA politicians, and a threat of 2 people who won’t move here.
The problem I have with the rhetoric “Gay Marriage is coming whether they like it or not” is that 1) it really isn’t that clear. Yes, it looks like the tide may be shifting towards equality, but there is no idea how long that will take to happen. There is no state that has same-sex marriage that didn’t already have full non-discrimination protections. We could be far away from same-sex marriage here based on that. 2) It really isn’t so clear that same-sex marriage is a civil right. Time will tell how the Courts come down on that issue.
It takes more than some protest and some catchy rhetoric. We need to see people willing to get engaged in working with their elected officials, to change minds, and then, their votes.
Gay marriage is coming to Pa. whether they like it or not. It’s just a matter of time. The candidates may as well jump on board now. We will not give in ! It is a civil right ! How dare they deny me my right to love and enjoy my relationship. I work and pay taxes also. Taxes to self righteous breeders and all of their causes, and what about separation of church and state ??????? Pa. better wake up now. I know of two people who are employed by Google who will never relocate to Pittsburgh, since we do not have civil unions or gay marriage here. I will not give up the fight !!!!
West Virginia. They have much more class than this hhillbilly excuse of a state.
Thanks for adding your voice to the dialogue and for sharing your ideas about the candidates. To be clear, I am not supporting Joe Hoeffel, but rather, I'm supporting Dan Onorato. While Joe is clearly more of a progressive, I don't feel he has demonstrated how his progressive stance on LGBT issues will translate into changes in PA that will impact gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Pennsylvanians. In fact, I think he is so progressive, that many democrats across the state will have trouble voting for him.He is currently polling in the single digits compared to Onorato in the mid to high 30's.
But what I care most about, is that we are able to elect a democrat over Tom Corbet in the Fall. I believe that Hoeffel polls even worse against Corbet than he polls against Onorato.
More than ideology, I look for how a politician has been able to translate their ideology into practical application. Like you I believe the Primary is a great opportunity to place your vote to tell the party as a whole what is important to you as a voter.
The Sestak/Specter race is definitely, much closer, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. I was at a meet and greet today with Arlen Specter, and will be writing about it in a separate post.
Thanks again for sharing your ideas and perspective.
I agree with you (the author of this thread) 100%! I try to do as much research on a candidate as possible before deciding to vote for them. The FIRST issue I look for is gay marriage. In the event all candidates are silent on the issue, I look for support on other progressive ideology.
In the case of PA 2010, like you, I have decided to vote for Hoeffel for PA Governor largely due to his open stance on gay marriage. I've seen him a few times come out and support Gay Pride Events here in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, I don't think his campaign is making much traction. I will still vote for him on May 18th… maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
I've also decided to throw my support behind Joe Sestak for US Senate for the same reason. Sestak, unlike Hoeffel, seems to have a real chance of winning the primary. No matter who wins either primary election, I will undoubtebly be voting for the Democrat in the general election. It is better, in my opinion, to vote for a candidate who is silent on the issue rather than someone who is blatantly anti-gay.
THX!
Good post Tom.