On Friday’s "Good Morning America," ABC host George Stephanopoulos raved about singer Melissa Etheridge’s hosting of Thursday’s Democratic debate on gay issues. He enthused, "Melissa Etheridge is the new Ted Koppel!" Stephanopoulos, a former top Clinton aide and now the host of "This Week," also framed the debate from a decidedly pro-gay rights angle:
George Stephanopoulos: "...This is remarkable that a forum like this is happening. It would never happen on the Republican side, at least not yet."
Would Stephanopoulos spin a GOP debate on defending the Second Amendment as something the Democrats wouldn’t be interested in, at least not yet?
Indeed, there was no mention in the segment that the entire debate focused heavily on promoting a decidedly liberal agenda. The "L-word" was never used at all.
And despite Stephanopoulos’s elevation of Etheridge to the status of premiere journalist, most of her questions came from a solidly left-wing perspective. The singer claimed that gays felt "thrown under the bus" when the Clinton administration didn’t go far enough in supporting their issues.
As far as the musician's hosting abilities, the New York Sun’s political site, in a live blog, didn’t appear to be quite as enamored of Etheridge’s performance:
9:11: Melissa Etheridge asks the next question. Leave it to a celebrity to ask the most vapid question of the debate: How are you going to bring this country back together? (I'm speculating that there won't be a more vapid question. I think I'm on solid ground.)
On another subject, MRC senior analyst Geoffrey Dickens noted Thursday that the "Today" show featured a segment effectively burying Senator John McCain’s struggling campaign. On ABC, GMA host Diane Sawyer and Stephanopoulos continued to pile on. Sawyer used a joke by comedian Jay Leno to dismiss McCain and as a segue into discussing Iowa and the upcoming straw poll:
Diane Sawyer: "A joke from Jay Leno about McCain I want to ask you about him. Here it is."
Jay Leno: "Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney said they will not participant in the Republican debate next month in Florida. John McCain said he will be there if he can get a ride, you know."
Stephanopoulos: "Poor guy."
A transcript of Stephanopoulos’s segment, which aired on August 10 at 7:17am, follows:
Sawyer: "And George Stephanopoulos is here. He’s, of course, anchor of ‘This Week.’ What did you make of last night?"
George Stephanopoulos: "Well, Melissa Etheridge is the new Ted Koppel. I mean, she really put everyone on the spot last night and she did make Hillary Clinton uncomfortable, John Edwards uncomfortable. I don't think they did any real damage to their campaigns. Jake is right that this is remarkable that a forum like this is happening. It would never happen on the Republican side, at least not yet. And John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama all protected themselves in the general election by standing firm on their opposition to gay marriage."
Sawyer: "The fact that they were united gave them a barrier."
Stephanopoulos: "Absolutely."
Sawyer: "This weekend, Iowa, straw poll. Here it goes."
Stephanopoulos: "Eight years ago, it gave George W. Bush his start, his road to the nomination and then ultimately the presidency. The bottom line this year is that if Mitt Romney doesn't win big it's going to be the biggest surprise of this campaign so far. He's spent more money than all of his opponents so far. The other question is, these second tier candidates, Sam Brownback, Mike Huckabee, Tommy Thompson they have to do very well just to survive."
Sawyer: "A joke from Jay Leno about McCain I want to ask you about him. Here it is."
Jay Leno: "Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney said they will not participant in the Republican debate next month in Florida. John McCain said he will be there if he can get a ride, you know."
Stephanopoulos: "Poor guy."
Sawyer: "What about Iowa and John McCain?"
Stephanopoulos: "Not his state, definitely not his state. He had already said he wasn't going to compete in this straw poll. It would be remarkable if he had any kind of showing here."
Sawyer: "And you were talking to me about now voting in December, for real? In December?"
Stephanopoulos: "It is very, very possible. Think about voting this year as a game of leapfrog that Iowa and new Hampshire are determined to win. Now, we’re going to put up a calendar right now. What started this yesterday is that South Carolina has moved up their primary from early February, up to January 19. That means that New Hampshire, which was supposed to be on January 22, is likely to move up to January 8. Iowa was supposed to be on January 14. They're not going to want to do a caucus on New Year's Eve. So that means they could move all the way up to mid December. It's not done yet but very, very possible."
Sawyer: "Thanksgiving elections."
Stephanopoulos: "It could happen."
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.















Editor at Large

Comments Policy
What a WASTE
August 10, 2007 - 11:53 ET by Six String SpiffHow about a true Conservative forum, moderated by Rush Limbaugh? Yeah, I didn't think so. that would be 'pandering'. As long as the dems do it, it's ok. They don't pander. they "reach out"
BARF
The American Revolution Continued
Why not
August 10, 2007 - 12:57 ET by ForeverOnTheRightHow about a triple threat, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin with Rush...well that would scare them to no end
I think that the fact that they had a debate in a gay form like this show just how corrupt they REALLY are! They had a debate for a bunch sexual deviants.
Would Stephanopoulos spin a
August 10, 2007 - 11:58 ET by Chris NormanWould Stephanopoulos spin a GOP debate on defending the Second Amendment as something the Democrats wouldn’t be interested in, at least not yet?
Of course not. Stephanopoulos sees debating "gay issues" as a perfectly natural and desirable progression in poltical evolution...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Correct!
August 11, 2007 - 13:52 ET by Sergeant ROCKStephanopoulos sees debating "gay issues" as a perfectly natural and desirable progression in poltical evolution...
As opposed to the war on terror and other such things.
Well, Melissa Etheridge is the new Ted Koppel
August 10, 2007 - 11:57 ET by Macfire78Does that mean that George Stephalphabet thinks that Melissa Etheridge looks like Alfred E. Newman?
ridiculous
August 10, 2007 - 12:10 ET by kdizzydazeFirst off - Melissa Etheridge is the very poor man's (or woman's) version of Janis Joplin. Second, and a little off the mark, the fact that she has to define herself by her sexuality says it all about her character and depth. She has none
She offends me for so many reasons (and none of them having to do with sexual preference)
She offends me for so many
August 10, 2007 - 13:15 ET by shawn228She offends me for so many reasons (and none of them having to do with sexual preference)
You sure about that? Are you sure she isn't just trying to get attention? You still have not answered Timothy H's clarification on your racist comment re: the main actress from Greys Anatomy. In case you need a reminder, here is what you said.
I agree with what she is saying; however, I also think she is a bit
jealous of the attention Paris Hilton gets. Perhaps Pompeo believes
this "dissing" of Paris will get her some free publicity. Maybe that
also explains why she is dating that black guy: to get attention.
Mistaken Identity
August 10, 2007 - 13:23 ET by The Wicked ConservativeNo man that was mrsimele, 3rd post in the comments.
You can't save the Earth unless You're willing to make other people sacrifice. Dogbert the Green Consultant summing up the elite left.
OOOPs
August 10, 2007 - 13:27 ET by shawn228I am so sorry........that post offended me so much I could not think straight. I will be more careful next time
Shawn,
August 10, 2007 - 13:34 ET by MightyMouthShawn,
How is pointing out that someone may be dating someone of a different race to get attention, is somehow offensive to you? Many black athletes date gorgeous white women for the same reason.
This PC crap of denying that race matters to people is well... crap!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
MM
August 10, 2007 - 13:41 ET by shawn228MM,
I am obviously not the only member of this site to be offended by it, so obviously I am not the only one. I am one of the least PC people around. In this day and age, does it really matter if you are dating a Indian, Asian or African American.? Would it bother you if one of your children dated a minority?
In this day and age
August 10, 2007 - 15:06 ET by MightyMouth"In this day and age, does it really matter if you are dating a Indian, Asian or African American."
Shawn, that is exactly my point... it doesn't matter (but you did bring it up). But that doesn't mean that race preference by an individual is offensive. Actually it is quite a natural behavior for human beings. (As much as everyone trys to deny it.)
Regardless, the comment wasn't made to put down a particular race. It was made by pointing out that dating someone of a different race may have more than one motive (especially for celebs or athletes.)
As far as my kids go they are grown and are fully capable of making their own choices in life. But to answer your question: No it wouldn't bother me if my kids dated, fell in love with and even married a minority.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
K MM. Did you take a look at
August 10, 2007 - 15:28 ET by shawn228K MM. Did you take a look at the thread I was refferring to?
uh, yeah... I think I
August 10, 2007 - 15:36 ET by MightyMouthuh, yeah... I think I did...
Point is, I didn't find the comment that offensive, or at least not as offensive as "THE MOST OFFENSIVE POST EVER!, EVER!" or something like that :-p
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
New guy (not an excuse)
August 10, 2007 - 15:38 ET by kdizzydazePlease point it out (in all seriousness). If I posted something, I will respond to it. If not, I won't. R U confusing me with mrsimele?
If not - send me to the thread.
huh?!?!?!?!?
August 10, 2007 - 15:31 ET by kdizzydazeShawn228
What do you want to know?
Am I a racist or sexist or homphobe? I could tell you all day that the answer is no to all of those, but would you ever believe me? don't answer - I already know what it is.
shawn228?
August 10, 2007 - 15:34 ET by kdizzydazeIn case you need a reminder, here is what you said.
I agree with what she is saying; however, I also think she is a bit
jealous of the attention Paris Hilton gets. Perhaps Pompeo believes
this "dissing" of Paris will get her some free publicity. Maybe that
also explains why she is dating that black guy: to get attention.
Never said that. You must work for MSNBC
KDizzy, I don't fight other
August 10, 2007 - 15:36 ET by The Wicked ConservativeKDizzy, I don't fight other people's fight's but I stood up for you earlier...read the next 2 posts after shawn's first one there.
You can't save the Earth unless You're willing to make other people sacrifice. Dogbert the Green Consultant summing up the elite left.
RE: KDizzy, I don't fight other
August 10, 2007 - 15:43 ET by kdizzydazeKDizzy, I don't fight other people's fight's but I stood up for you earlier...read the next 2 posts after shawn's first one there.
Got it - Thanks -
KDIZZY
August 10, 2007 - 16:12 ET by shawn228I apologized for as soon as I posted it. I could not delete it because someone already responded with a comment.
Kdizzydaze, That is
August 10, 2007 - 16:06 ET by USA4freedomKdizzydaze,
That is a good point, when someone has to jump up and
down and say, “hey look at me I’m gay” that is very telling. You don’t see me
going “Hey..I..LIKE.. WOMEN..” Why? Because no one gives a dam. Well Melissa, we don’t give a dam.
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Melissa Etheridge..........
August 10, 2007 - 19:54 ET by Scout Finch.........would've have been nothing more than a footnote in 90's pop trivia had she not come out as gay. Since she came out, she has secured her place in pop history for being gay and out there. Her music talent is mediocre at best. Think about it...........what song in her music catalog comes to mind when you think of her? Nothing, right? She's known for being the "gay" and "out" 'rock singer'!
"It would never happen on the Republican side"
August 10, 2007 - 12:30 ET by KC MulvilleAnd there's a good reason why ...
I agree with those who find it absurd that these Democratic candidates proclaim how they would never be tied down to lobbyists and special interests ... and yet, they'll pander to a special interest debate at the drop of a hat. They won't take contributions, (so they say) but when these interest groups summon the candidates and demand that the Democrats obey their dictates, the Democrats can't bow fast enough.
Jeez, if you're going to obey the groups anyway, you might as well take the money ...
George Stephanopoulos:
August 10, 2007 - 12:46 ET by BlazerGeorge Stephanopoulos: "...This is remarkable that a forum like this is happening. It would never happen on the Republican side, at least not yet."
That is because Republicans recognize that wanting gay marriage legalized, and a few other desires of the GLBT, are wants, as opposed to needs that we all share, and that having condescending debates in a forum like this, only help to further divide, and polarize the American people.
My state of Virginia elected (D) Jim Webb last November with a small majority of votes around 51%-52%. The amendment against gay marriage, on the same ballot, passed by over 72%, which means plenty of liberals, and independants also voted for it.
I likened this recent debate by the Democrats as akin to pandering to a special interest group.
If the Dems want to be all inclusive, and at the same time divisive, why not let us have a debate every day before the elections with some sponsored by the likes of CAIR, The New Black Panthers, NAMBLA, PETA, Greenpeace, or The Nation of Islam ?
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
When is Steffi going to
August 10, 2007 - 12:47 ET by jdhawkWhen is Steffi going to get a big boy haircut?
Shouldn't he be wearing long pants?
Isn't it against the child labor laws to hire someone so young?
Stayed tuned to the "Good Morning Liberals" show tomorrow for the answer to these questions and more . . .
I remember when Kathleen
August 10, 2007 - 12:49 ET by BruzillaI remember when Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was running for Maryland governor against Bob Ehrlich, and she went to a huge labor meeting of grocery store union members in a mostly black section of Maryland. She opened with "I guess we all know why I'm here..." and was promptly interupted by a gentleman who yelled "yeah, it's election time and you need our votes. It's the only time you're ever here!" and the room erupted in applause. Kennedy Townsend went down in defeat in one of the most Liberal states in the union.
You got to wonder when Gays are going to wake up to the fact that the only times Dems care about their issues is before the primaries.
No Credibility
August 10, 2007 - 13:05 ET by mattmSnuffaluffogus has no credibility. He's a Clinton administration agent working in the media to push the Clinton agenda. <period> I disregard everything he says. All non-Clintons should do the same.
P.S. Frankly, I'm glad the GOP doesn't court the "gay" vote. The GOP is not (or should not be) a party of fragmented special interest groups*, it is for anyone and everyone who cares about freedom, security and prosperity.
*This is the defining characteristic of fascism. The word fascism comes from the Latin "fascio" which means group. The fascists of the 20's and 30's separated people into groups - ethnic, racial, religious, etc. That's what Democrats also do...interestingly enough.
Why is the media giving
August 10, 2007 - 13:09 ET by bassndudeWhy is the media giving 6%(high estimate) of the population their own special forum? How about us Christians? Dont we make up more than 6% of the American people? Why cant we have our own debate forum?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
The judges would have also
August 10, 2007 - 13:25 ET by Roger the ShrubberThe judges would have also accepted "Melissa Etheridge is the New, More Masculine Ted Koppel!".
Georgie.... You have lost
August 10, 2007 - 13:25 ET by bigtimerGeorgie....
You have lost your ever lovin' mind.
Period.
What does Teddy think about
August 10, 2007 - 13:43 ET by charlietexasWhat does Teddy think about the comparison??
Think it makes him happy?
Not that I care. Comparing lesbians to the elite media is really funny.
I think the more important
August 10, 2007 - 13:56 ET by Roger the ShrubberI think the more important question would be:
Could Koppel take Etheridge in a fight?
BIG problem....if this keeps up..who's gonna wanna watch ?
August 10, 2007 - 13:56 ET by JayTeeGeez, I'm glad I missed YET ANOTHER Democrapic debat. The last one had some low ratings, and this one will turn off even more Watchers. They're gonna eventually have only the Minority Audience....the Audience no one wants to reach. If you try for the Swing vote, the 40% always votes Dem, the 40% always vote Republican, then the swing vote is the final number to push you to 50%...unless your 40% or part thereof turns on you because you're catering to the fringe, and it doesn't turn you on to vote for your party.
I hope at least, this debate wasn't geared to the "Core Democrats".......because they may start missing the Debates if this crap keeps up.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Milissa would give Teddy an
August 10, 2007 - 14:05 ET by charlietexasMilissa would give Teddy an old fashion Texas titty twister and he would run off crying like a Little Girl......
Melissa's got a better
August 10, 2007 - 14:23 ET by fitzfongMelissa's got a better toupee than Koppel.
And a deeper voice
August 10, 2007 - 14:26 ET by BlazerAnd a deeper voice too.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
You are correct, oh great
August 11, 2007 - 02:28 ET by fitzfongYou are correct, oh great one.
Dividing the Nation
August 10, 2007 - 14:37 ET by exLibI always find it strange that you never hear anyone in the media say that Democrats are dividing the nation, only Republicans. Yet clearly the issues that Republicans supposedly use to "Divide" the nation have a counter position driven by Democrats.
Clearly to the media (and Democrats) dividing the nation is:
Passing anti-Abortion Laws
Traditional Definition of Marriage
Wanting Religion in the Public Square
Not dividing the nation is:
Passing laws making abortion easier and more tax funded.
Driving Chrisitians underground
Creating a totally secular state
Completely open sexuality and sexual expression
Madatory acceptace and approval of homosexuality.
Soak the rich with taxes.
The way I see it, Liberals/Homosexuals see their sexuality exactly the same way a Christian see his Faith.
1 - You need to practice it openly
2- It needs to be respected and honored by all
3- No blaspheming
4- You have a God-Given responsibility to evangelize.
a different type of debate
August 10, 2007 - 14:59 ET by BeanManI'd prefer a debate between the candidates where they ask each other questions. Why do we need any moderator?
Since government is coercion, politics is largely the exercise of deception regarding the intended use of coercion - George Orwell
debate
August 10, 2007 - 15:09 ET by CelumnazWould enjoy seeing any kind of debate. Haven't seen One yet. Just a bunch of expositions, exhibitions, soundbite skirmishes or whatever you want to call these things... they're anything but debates imo.
First let me say that I
August 10, 2007 - 15:03 ET by buddycFirst let me say that I know many homo/lesbos and that are far superior to me as human beings. That said, their sexual practices are disgusting, freaks of nature and devient. They are only 5% of the population and have influence due to the media far beyond their numbers. When they do a poll of the military where our soilders say they don't care then I say give them the same rights /obligations as anyone else in the military. As far as giving them rights to marry that is absurd. Marriage and the relating beneifts provided by the state to married couples were designed to foster famlies. Homo/lesbos can't reproduce naturally. They are not entitled to those benefits. There are not other needs they have. They can inherit from their partners, they can contract with regards to all rights and responsibilities that married couples have.
The worst thing about homo/lesbo's are their extremists like Etheridge, Rosie and others. They should have stayed in the closet. If I like sex with sheep and if I go ranting about how I like it I should not expect people to look at me like I am normal. Keep your sexual practics to yourself.
The liberals will do anything to get votes and money. This is just another group of nuts that vote as a bloc they dems want to keep on the plantation.
Three points / observatons / questions
August 10, 2007 - 15:04 ET by c5then1. I didn't know that Ted Kopple preferred sex with men.
2. Why does anyone care about what particular type of sexual activity is preferred by certain people?
3. Talking about "rights" for a group of people who have a preference or orientation for some particular activity, sexual or otherwise, is simply stupid and makes a mockery of the civil rights of others who are oppressed or discriminated against because of an appearance or characteristic that they have no control over.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic
Homosexuality
August 10, 2007 - 15:20 ET by pocomocoAs the saying goes: “Those who do not learn for history are doomed to repeat it.”
During their ‘enlightened period’, the Greeks and Roman practiced homosexuality with great exuberance. Then, because of their escalating militancy, came the ‘great backlash period’ when the Greeks and Romans said enough is enough and began to persecute them and, in some cases, kill them. At that point, ‘the closet’ came into being where, for centuries, they reposed un-noticed. And don’t forget that little incident at Sodom and Gomorrah.
Today, homosexuals, not having learned from history, are beginning to repeat it as they prance out the ‘closet’ door attempting to impose their lifestyle on others. However, after a period of time when their escalating militancy becomes an intrusion on the general population, the red flag of ‘enough is enough’ will be raised and ‘the closet’ will, once again, be their destination.
What is it about homosexuals in that they appear incapable of learning?
Is it me or does George
August 10, 2007 - 16:09 ET by USA4freedomIs it me or does George Stephanopoulos have the biggest head on earth?? It make me think of empty self storage units..
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
I think that gays often go
August 10, 2007 - 18:39 ET by balboaI think that gays often go too far in pushing their lifestyle into everyone's faces, but that's probably a result of generations of shunning and ridiculing. So it's a backlash from that. Eventually, I think they'll just go back to leaving everyday lives without having to declare it all the time.
Never happen, bal
August 10, 2007 - 18:57 ET by RJNever happen, bal. Flamboyancy is too ingrained and popular among too many in the gay community.
Well, flamboyant behavior
August 10, 2007 - 19:05 ET by balboaWell, flamboyant behavior will always be around in some fashion -- there will always be a "Jack" for every "Will" -- but the more that gays are accepted, the less they'll have to yell at people to get used to it.
"In your face"
August 10, 2007 - 19:11 ET by RJ"In your face" usually doesn't mean "yelling at people." More often, it means the aggressiveness of displaying open sexuality and sexual innuendo. It's that behavior that disgusts the rest of us more than anything else.
We are more than used to it
August 10, 2007 - 19:13 ET by bigtimerWe are more than used to it out here in the real world...
...the radicals will never STFU.
I am sick of it all in our faces constantly...along with the so-called civil rights issues every-time I turn around....
Everyone has civil rights....including the gays.
Enough already.
Exactly, BT
August 10, 2007 - 19:18 ET by RJ"radicals will never STFU"
The recent aggressive sexual behavior of the gays toward the Firemen in San Francisco proves the fallacy of balboa's premise. Their "community" has been accepted and even runs that city, but they still act out.
Tell Jesse Jackson and Al
August 10, 2007 - 19:42 ET by stratmanTell Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton that Bal.
Killing them with kindness isn't working. Time to get scrappy with the Donkeys.
BTW, your buddy Shelly
August 10, 2007 - 20:34 ET by balboaBTW, your buddy Shelly Malkin said she liked Ethridge as a moderator. (I accidentally landed on Fox News...)