NC-Sen: Cunningham opposed hate crimes, LGBT non-discrimination legislation in 2000 questionnaire

Sigh. This report is sitting right out in the public domain, and in light of some really nasty (and now relevant) comments by a member of Cal Cunningham's team at the Blend yesterday in the Jim Neal endorsement thread, people need to see the truth.

>New media coordinator and fellow BlueNCer Frank Eaton made repeated untrue assertions about my coverage of Cal Cunningham (you can read those here; I'm not going to engage in personal mudslinging -- I'm just surprised Cal would let anyone on his team act on his behalf in that manner). The following, in particular, is noteworthy today. Frank Eaton to me:

If all I knew about the Senate race was what I read here, I'd think Cal Cunningham was ready to roll back progress to the 1950's -- and it's just not true. Like you and I, he's a product of the last 40 odd years of American cultural progress. His world-view is inclusive, informed by a natural compassion and curiosity and he's moved to service in large part because he's deeply troubled by inequality.

Of course any reader of my coverage knows that's a preposterous assertion; my entire Cal archive is easily accessible to refute that. With that in mind, let's take a look at Project Vote Smart, a database of information known as "The Voter's Self-Defense System," there is factual information about Cal's LGBT record to review, since he has claimed to be a long-time ally and supporter of equality.

When he filled out the 2000 North Carolina State Legislative Election 2000 National Political Awareness Test, Cunningham was running for the NC State Senate at the time, and he answered two questions that clearly show he did not support equality legislation that would have a positive impact on LGBT North Carolinians.

Opposing Hate Crimes

And Employment Non-Discrimination

Now, does this mean that in the ten years since he filled this out, Cunningham has evolved to be the advocate that he said he is now in his press release on Tuesday?

U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham released the following statement Tuesday on the White House’s movement towards repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Monday night:

"I am pleased to see the White House finally moving forward on repealing the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. As the first Iraq War veteran in the U.S. Senate and a former military prosecutor, I would take a leadership role in fighting to strengthen our Armed Services by ending discrimination.

"Sexual orientation plays no role in the good order and discipline of our troops on the battlefield. This policy has cost America more than 13,000 gay and lesbian service members during a time when we've needed them the most. The policy is inconsistent with America's values and our military's values -- and it's flat out wrong. That is why we must repeal 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' now.

And, in fact, I've never accused Cunningham of being in opposition to LGBT rights in this campaign (something I could easily have been cynical about given the above information), I merely stated that the campaign suffered from advice that any open position on LGBT issues was a liability. So my repeated polite requests were ignored. Then I put Cal's face on a milk carton in a post asking him why there wasn't any page devoted to information on where he stood on LGBT issues and to respond one way or another on whether he wanted to participate in a live blog -- as his rivals did without a blink of an eye. Only after that were my emails and calls returned. Cal, to his credit, did the live blog and outlined his support for repeal of DADT, moving on ENDA, and UAFA, among other topics. He did, eventually, put up an Equality and Civil Rights page on his campaign web site.

I would love to sit down and interview Cal to have him describe his evolution on LGBT rights from 2000 to 2010. Many people have had their hearts and minds changed over time. There is no shame in saying "I was wrong about this, and this is my journey." I think that would have made a much more compelling story about becoming an ally than the campaign's unfortunate legacy of dodging basic questions and later making claims of being a long-time ally, particularly with this questionnaire out in the public domain that only raises doubts about the commitment.

You know where to contact me, Cal.

And Marshall and Cunningham don't have to even give HRC 0%-rated Richard Burr the time of day on this topic.

Related:
* NC-Sen: I didn't fall off the political turnip truck - campaign dealings that will curl your hair
* PHB archive on Cal Cunningham