I hate to open this can of worms again, but the Herald has an article today where they briefly interview DNC chair Howard Dean, who will be in Lowell this weekend for the Democratic platform convention. Dean, who like Senator Kerry opposes gay marriage but supports civil unions, had the following to say about the proposed changes to the Massachusetts Democratic party platform:
Dean refused to take a stand on the support for gay marriage in the state party's platform - a plank U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) called a "mistake." Instead, Dean repeated his view that each state should sort out the controversy, saying Bay State Democrats "ought to be able to do what they want at their own convention."That's all I wanted from Kerry -- not an endorsement of marriage equality, but an acknowledgement that the delegates at the platform convention had a right to add whatever language the majority of them wanted.
Even if Kerry had said that he disagreed with the plank and would vote against it were he able to go to the convention and that he wouldn't change his position regardless of any changes to the state party platform, that would have been fine. Instead he implied that the delegates to the convention -- myself included -- were out of touch with the "broad view" of state Democrats. Even if he is right (and I don't believe he is) that is not something a sitting Senator should say about his most loyal supporters. If there's any confusion, that is why I am upset with the Senator.