Democratic Primary Debate at The Citadel, sponsored by YouTube and CNN: on Civil Rights

Barack Obama: Let each denominations decide on recognizing gay marriage

A: We’ve got to make sure that everybody is equal under the law. And the civil unions that I proposed would be equivalent in terms of making sure that all the rights that are conferred by the state are equal for same-sex couples as well as for heterosexual couples. Now, with respect to marriage, it’s my belief that it’s up to the individual denominations to make a decision as to whether they want to recognize marriage or not. But in terms of, you know, the rights of people to transfer property, to have hospital visitation, all those critical civil rights that are conferred by our government, those should be equal.

Bill Richardson: Full civil unions with full marriage rights

KUCINICH: Yes. Gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender [people] should have the same rights as anyone else, including a civil marriage ceremony.

Q: [to Dodd]: You supported the Defense of Marriage Act.

DODD: [Same-sex couples] ought to have civil unions. But I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.

RICHARDSON: I would do what is achievable. What I think is achievable is full civil unions with full marriage rights. I would also press for a hate crimes act in the Congress. I would eliminate “don’t ask/don’t tell” in the military. If we’re going to have in our military men & women that die for this country, we shouldn’t give them a lecture on their sexual orientation I would push for domestic partnership laws, nondiscrimination in insurance and housing. I would also send a very strong message that, in my administration, I will not tolerate any discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Chris Dodd: Treat same-sex couples equally in all rights except marriage

KUCINICH: Yes. Gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender [people] should have the same rights as anyone else, including a civil marriage ceremony.

Q: [to Dodd]: You supported the Defense of Marriage Act.

DODD: I have asked myself: How would I want my two daughters treated if they grew up and had a different sexual orientation than their parents? Good jobs, equal opportunity, to be able to retire, to visit each other, to be with each other, as other people do. So I feel very strongly [that same-sex couples] ought to have that ability in civil unions. I don’t go so far as to call for marriage. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. But my state of Connecticut, and in N.H., have endorsed civil unions. I strongly support that. But I don’t go so far as marriage.

RICHARDSON: I would do what is achievable. What I think is achievable is full civil unions with full marriage rights.

Dennis Kucinich: Supports reparations for slavery, to “repair the breach”

EDWARDS: I’m not for reparations. But I think there are other things we can do

OBAMA: I think the reparations we need right here in South Carolina is investment, for example, in our schools.

Q: Is anyone on the stage for reparations for slavery?

KUCINICH: I am. The Bible says we shall be and must be repairers of the breach. And a breach has occurred. We have to acknowledge that. It’s a breach that has resulted in inequality in opportunities for education, for health care, for housing, for employment. But it’s also a breach that has affected a lot of poor whites as well. We need to have a country which recognizes that there is an inequality of opportunity and a president who’s ready to challenge the interest groups--be they insurance companies or mortgage companies or defense contractors who are taking the money away from the people who need it. Yes, I am for repairing the breach. Yes, I am for reparations.

Dennis Kucinich: Gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender right to marry

KUCINICH: The answer to your question is yes. And let me tell you why. Because if our Constitution really means what it says, that all are created equal, if it really means what it says, that there should be equality of opportunity before the law, then our brothers and sisters who happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender should have the same rights accorded to them as anyone else, and that includes the ability to have a civil marriage ceremony.

Q: [to Dodd]: You supported the Defense of Marriage Act.

DODD: [Same-sex couples ought to be treated equally and] ought to have civil unions. I don’t go so far as to call for marriage. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.

RICHARDSON: I would do what is achievable. What I think is achievable is full civil unions with full marriage rights.

John Edwards: No reparations for slavery; but plenty more we can do

A: I’m not for reparations. But I think there are other things we can do to create some equality that doesn’t exist in this country today. Right here in Charleston, African Americans are paying more than their white counterparts for mortgages than any other place in America. What is the conceivable explanation for this, that black people are paying more for their mortgage? It’s not just low-income African Americans; it’s high-income African-Americans. There’s absolutely no explanation for this. It goes to the basic question [of a lack of equality]. To have a president that’s going to fight for equality, fight for real change, big change, bold change--we can’t trade our insiders for their insiders. That doesn’t work. What we need is somebody who will take these people on, these big banks, these mortgage companies. That’s the only way we’re going to bring about change.

John Edwards: Better advocate for women than Hillary Clinton

EDWARDS: I think what Elizabeth was saying was that there are very important issues facing women in this country. More women are affected by the minimum wage than men are affected by the minimum wage. There are more women in poverty than men in poverty. More women have difficulty getting the health care that they need than men do.

Q: So do you think you’re a better advocate for women?

EDWARDS: Listen, Senator Clinton has a long history of speaking out on behalf of women. She deserves to be commended for that. But I believe that on the issues that directly affect women’s lives, I have the strongest, boldest ideas and can bring about the change that needs to be brought.

CLINTON: I appreciate greatly John’s comments. But I think it’s terrific that we’re up here arguing about who’s going to be better for women, because isn’t that a nice change for everybody to hear.

John Edwards: Opposes gay marriage due to his religion; but conflicted

A: I do not believe that’s right. I feel enormous personal conflict about this issue. I want to end discrimination. But I personally have been on a journey on this issue. My wife Elizabeth supports gay marriage. I do not. But this is a very, very difficult issue for me.

Q: The question is, why is it OK to cite religious beliefs when talking about why you don’t support something?

A: It’s not. I mean, I’ve been asked a personal question, do I personally support gay marriage? The honest answer to that is I don’t. But I think it is absolutely wrong, as president, for me to have used that faith basis as a basis for denying anybody their rights, and I will not do that when I’m president.