Question from Brig. Gen. Keith Kerr

[ProJanitor]

Haha this vid is so 2007

[gapalafox]

How many cigarettes you think this guy smokes a day?

[rsbandbj1j2j3]

when i watch this, it made me 100% completely HATE MITT ROMNEY!

[kell1reilly2]

GO GENERAL! WOO! fuck the candidates

[moralaa]

Yea, he admitted he's gay AFTER he left the military cuz they would have canned his ass if you told the military your gay orientation ! Once he became a citizen who gives a shit what he was (gay or straight), he's joeblow from the block. The gen. just put on a show to put the canidates on the spot for gay rights. What a cocksucker.

[dkrr24]

I was always skeptical about gays servi

[Kaimosae]

jeez. this is so pathetic!! these ppl are living back in the damn 50's! THIS IS WHY WE HAVE PROGRESSIVES IN SOCIETIES...SO WE CAN "PROGRESS FORWARD"!

FUCK!

[reagancoe]

I don't understand why when the term "gays in military" is said everybody assumes that it means solider. The military also employs millions of other careers. Doctors, nurses, translators, all of these would be helpful in the war. Are you telling me that a gay arabic translator should be kicked out? Or a lesbian nurse? How can you know these people don't want to fight? You assume that because they are gay they are running around in pink tutu's giving out manis and pedis. Its prejudice.

[ericoklahoma2085]

those men and women who are doctors, nurses and translators in the military are soldiers...and they're soldiers first. i should know...i'm an arab linguist in the army. other than that i agree with you. the current dadt policy is prejudice and very much behind the times. all arguments against allowing gays to serve openly in the military are not viable and hold no weight. i think it's time to reverse dadt n allow progress to take place. i believe president obama will make it happen

[chronicman06]

Conservative judaeo christian values is a bunch of bullshit.

Its nothing but plain ole discrimination, hate and bigotry!

[Geostars]

"Don't ask, don't tell" is institutionalized bigotry. It's just as immoral as segregated units were in WWII and before. The bigots, hate mongers & "social conservatives" lost on slavery, lost on women's suffrage, lost on racial discrimination and will lose on homophobia. Society progresses and sooner or later evil loses.

[jjarouse]

Mitt Romney is such an idiot. That was just painful to watch. When is this country going to join the rest of the civilized world and do away with policies of bigotry and discrimination?

[integral]

In a generation, when the old bigots die out.

[dkrr24]

Mitt Romney was just giving his honest opinion so why does that make him an idiot? He said to do research like Britain did and we can make a decision accordingly. That's the smart thing to do before making an immediate change.

[Thesouthman]

I was a undecided republican, but now I will vote for Obama. no doubt about it. :-)

Obama '08

[Thesouthman]

Gays in the Military

[syckindahead]

Did ne one ask a que like this to the Democratic candidates? Why does the ret Brig Gen think the present policy is 'destructive'? Why did he wait until he got out of the military to admit that he was homosexual? Hmm....I wonder....

[integral]

Don't try to make any sense. If you press this idea, all you're going to do is expose your own prejudice.

[stockon]

For the most powerful country in the world USA is sure fucking backwards

[gnorow]

There have always been gays in the military as long as its been going. Even if the army attempts to ban gay men from the military, closeted men will still be serving. If all the gay and lesbian service men and women left the military tomorrow it would be fucked, so have a bit of respect for the people who are putting their lives on the line for you. The fact that this needs to be debated disgusts me.

[ResurrectedFish]

"If all the gay and lesbian service men and women left the military tomorrow it would be fucked"

Got any numbers on that, or just pulling it out of your well-stretched anus?

Gay discharges are less than a third of a percent of ALL discharges, far less than pregnancy or "fat discharges." Hardly even noticeable.

And since more than half of THOSE come just before overseas rotation, it's a safe bet most of those "out" themselves to avoid combat.

[fluffyemu]

There's 65,000 gays in the military, babe. If they all quit tomorrow, you'd spend approximately 1.6 billion dollars discharging them, aside from the ensuing chaos and time required to scramble not to get killed by the enemy. And yes, those stats are from your precious Bush administration GAO office. :)

[blaupunkt455]

"65,000 gays in the military..."Bush admin GAO"

If you weren't ignorant of the military, and government in general, you'd know the GAO belonged to Nancy Pelosi's Congress, not the Executive Branch. Only Democrat fags would claim that 10% of the military minces when they march.

If they all quit tomorrow, we wouldn't lose a single combat unit, but the clerks, Army Band and the Soldier's Chorus would be in deep fucking doo-doo.

[fluffyemu]

Lmao if you really believe that, you need a frontal lobotomy! Of COURSE there are gay combat units in the military. Most gay men are NOT feminine, babe. In fact, some of the buffest, butchest men you've ever met are.

[HughGQuipment]

"there are gay combat units in the military"

You're out of your fucking tree. One has to suspect that most of your military experience comes from watching TV.

Those buff fairies in the leather bars aren't likely to join anything that requires them to get up at 5 a.m.

[fluffyemu]

You really are living in your own delusion if you think there aren't gay combat units. And what, exactly, makes you an expert on what gay men will and won't do? I wouldn't even be on this youtube video if not for the fact that I HAVE a gay friend who fought in Iraq. Points for the username, though.

[fluffyemu]

Nancy Pelosi didn't CONTROL the congress when the census was taken and the GAO mined the data, sorry. But nice try!

[TubeSteak007]

Blau, u may no somethin we don't but I fear u lost 1/2 your attentive audience w/words like "fags" & "doo-doo." (BTW, what does GAO stand for?) Also: this "closet queen" probly fought 4 our freedom & saved our asses.

[HughGQuipment]

"closet queen" probly fought 4 our freedom & saved our asses."

Anyone who doesn't know what the GAO is doesn't have any business even discussing public policy.

Especially if they don't even read the posts. As several have pointed out, this phony never "fought" for anything -- he was never an Army general, and served weekend duty in San Francisco. Nothing else.

[fluffyemu]

Babe, you don't know anything about gays and you're still discussing what they would/wouldn't do. A touch hypocritical, don't you think, sweetie?

[HughGQuipment]

"There's 65,000 gays in the military...those stats are from...GAO"

Got a reference for that? I couldn't find it on the GAO website, but some Urban Institute study claims that number, which makes it pretty suspect.

Especially since only 700-800 are discharged each year, down by 50%.

[fluffyemu]

"Some Urban Institute study?" It's a nonpartisan think tank. One of the vicechairs is a former Reagan attorney general appointee. That data is compiled from cross-referencing military records and census data of self-identified homosexuals. Think tanks have access to that. I don't.

[russellcalkins]

I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?" He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

[bucjason]

does anyone else find it ironic that a gay man who just said he served 42 YEARS in the military is complaining that gays can't be in the military?? Hmmm what's wrong with this picture.... by the way,why doesn't he ask Hillary, since Bill Clinton passed "dont ask dont tell"?

[ResurrectedFish]

"he served 42 YEARS in the military"

He's lying, by the way. He served a couple of years in the Army, '53-55, and 20-some National Guard (one weekend a month). The rest is state bullshit "service" -- nonmilitary & unrecognizrd by anyone, just like his phony "general" rank. He's a retired Natl Guard COLONEL.

[blaupunkt455]

I see none of these fairies will touch that with a ten-foot pole. They still pretend this closet queen was some sort of hero, though he pushed paper in Frisco, thousands of miles from a combat zone. And lies whenever he opens his mouth (insert your own punch line).

[fluffyemu]

Again, I'm a woman, and I don't care about this guy or consider him a "hero." Whether or not his credentials are legit has nothing to do with gays in the military at large. If it spares you the horror of cognitive dissonance to delude yourself, by all means, go for it, but there are 65,000 gays in the military, and you would be in MAJOR trouble if they all left.

[fluffyemu]

You do realize that prior to DADT, gays were banned COMPLETELY? Clinton didn't have the majority in congress to pass a lift of the ban.

[5random1]

Can't serve unless we're invisible. Can't be on a campaign steering committee. Can't get married unless we lie. We can get fired from a job/discharged if we tell. Don't need to do anything. Just tell someone you have a husband, not a wife. We can pay taxes. Can die in combat and the flag isn't given to our family. Can pay Social Security, but not get survivor benefits. Don't get full veterans benefits. Sounds like slavery to me. From the same group with the same "reasons."

[GodGunsAndGlory]

Uhh, allowing a Liberal to ask a question at a Republican Debate is wrong, because they will not vote for them at all. So why did CNN allow a Hillary Clinton crony ask a question? Republican voters should ask the Republicans questions, not the leftist scum.

[fluffyemu]

Leftist scum? You're condemning an entire group of people because you disagree with their beliefs? Wow, I'm a Democrat and I don't think conservatives are scum.

[HughGQuipment]

Yadda yadda yadda -- just another gutless special interest group whining to get more from the government teat.

If it weren't for victimhood they wouldn't have much of a cultural identity left.

Can't afford medical insurance to cover your high-risk behaviour? Why should the taxpayer get stuck paying for you?

[fluffyemu]

No, they'd actually like to fight wars for our country, believe it or not.

And I actually don't believe the government should pay ANYONE's medical insurance when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases, gay or straight, unless they were contracted via rape. This isn't about AIDS funding or medical insurance for HIV-positive vets. All I'm talking about is everyone, regardless of race, sexuality, or color, being able to fight.

[MsgtSpook]

"No, they'd actually like to fight wars for our country, believe it or not."

I don't.

I knew perhaps a hundred gays in over 20 yrs in the Army, and I don't recall a single one with a combat MOS, or even a combat support MOS. Medical, administration/clerical, supply, band, chorus, transportation.

Of course, you have your own little hallucinations about gay combat units, based on nothing, so mere facts won't get in your way.

[fluffyemu]

Hallucinations? Honey, I KNOW some! You're so stunningly delusional, just because you can't handle the possibility that we're winning wars because of them. Some of the "straight" men you were worked with were probably gays. They just did a survey of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans, 68% of whom said there was a closeted gay in their unit. I know you want to dispute those numbers, but the same study reflects the same disdain for gays that you have, so which is it?

[5random1]

We have a strong cultural identity. Good-natured, accepting of differences, generous and patient. And we face and live life truthfully. These qualities may have been out of step, but are coming back now. Like all taxpayers, we support society's needs: STDs, abortion, cancer, obesity, drug/alcohol abuse, prenatal care, child abuse... Behaviors straight people never encounter?

[softanswers]

yeah, General Kerr wasn't a plant. Thank you Clinton News Network for your unbiased selection of questions. Was this a Republican Debate to air Democrat/Liberal Questions? How much air time was given at the Democrat Debate for Republican questions?

[ResurrectedFish]

It's hard to believe that even Democrats are stupid enough to miss the entire point -- of course since they seldom serve, they don't understand that the guy next ot you in combat is your blood bank. That's why blood types are on dog tags.

No blood bank in the world, including the Red Cross, will even accept blood from these people ... yet the left-wing morons would gleefully taint the soldier's blood supply with this walking Petri dish of HIV-AIDS & STDs.

Idiots.

[5random1]

Don't Ask Don't Tell works as well at a blood bank as it does in the military. We give all the time. Service to our country. Donation at a blood bank.

[fluffyemu]

You do realize that AIDS is just as common in straight men, right?

[ResurrectedFish]

"AIDS is just as common in straight men"

Are you just butt-ignorant, or deliberately lying through your teeth? Have you checked the CDC website lately?

There's a reason the gay organizations are the biggest whiners, screaming that the government isn't spending enough money to cure their self-inflicted disease.

Saw one "public service" ad from them today, claiming that over half of all new cases are gay males under 25.

[fluffyemu]

You're restricting your statistics to AMERICA, sweetheart, which is cute and very nationalistic of you, but ultimately pretty pathetic. Step out of your little American box and look at the statistics for the world AIDS crisis - or better yet, the straight men in Africa who rape babies to "cure" themselves. Yes, there is life beyond the US, believe it or not.

[blaupunkt455]

"look at the statistics for the world AIDS crisis"

Stick to the point -- assuming your brain cells aren't as damaged as your immune system.

We're talking about the US military, so whatever the HIV/AIDS rate is among ignorant third-world savages is irrelevant -- unless you figure we're going to be recruiting from downtown Kinshasa.

According to latest gay public service spot ads, over half of new US AIDS cases are gay males 18-25.

[fluffyemu]

Damaged as my immune system? Wow, I bet you thought that was clever! Unfortunately, I'm a straight HIV-negative female.

It was a SIDEPOINT. I was disputing the notion that AIDS is a gay disease. It isn't. That's a separate issue. If you're talking about HIV in the military, there's this little thing called an HIV test.

[HughGQuipment]

"the notion that AIDS is a gay disease. It isn't"

If you don't engage in male-to-male sex or shoot IV drugs (80% of US transmission), or screw those who do, your odds of HIV infection are pretty remote.

That 15% hetero in new cases counts crack whores, their customers, bisexuals, and those who screw them.

The military rejects lots of people just because they're a lousy health risk: diabetics, epileptics, junkies, gays ... the numbers say they aren't worth the risk.

[ashide1]

Wow, have you lived in a box for 20 years? You are just blatantly discriminatory towards gay people and don't care about the reality of the world pansexual aids crisis. Check out Brazil or Africa sometime you small minded fool

[blaupunkt455]

'don't care about the world pansexual aids crisis"

I don't give a shit about this "crisis." Most of the US cases are self-inflicted by careless idiots, and the third world can stew in their own juices for all I care. Quarantine 'em & let 'em rot, since they thought they could handle governing themselves .. snicker, snicker.

[ashide1]

the world would be a better place if someone ended you

[FlaviaR]

I can't state enough how much I hate it that's only "Judeo-Xian" when they're trying to bolster their own bigotry. They run roughshod over every religion but theirs when it suits them.

[GretchenDawntreader]

If I was that retired officer I would have said, "No, I didn't get an answer, all I heard was that the military is full of conservative homophobes so gays should be screened out to keep homophobes happy, and free to continue being bigots."

[Jsarver1867]

I completely agree they should discharge all the gays so when they HAVE to go to the draft you can go. And what is that crap about judeo-christian values and its unfair for them to have to stay in close quarters with homosexuals. Is it fair for someone to be forced to live in secrecy to make others comfortable, thats completely hypocritical.

[jpbalkenende]

Was Romney booed for not gay bashing enough? Or because he's such a squirmy dishonest weasel.

[ymmudu]

I'm sorry but I don't understand the whining about this by partisans, you really sound like a bunch of babies. Many of the GOP candidates constantly bash Clinton & that's fine but when someone supporting her asks a question you start wringing your hands? It really is pathetic to have such thin skin. There's so much more to be concerned about than this.

[blb2121]

ymmudu,

Which? You don't, or just won't understand? THE issue is the integrity of the debate process. PRIMARIES are where party members determine who THEY want to represent THEIR party. Validity of the question is not an issue. Disclosure, integrity and manipulation of content (how and by whom questions are framed) are.

[ymmudu]

What on earth is the problem? Why does the questioner have to disclose his affiliation? And why can't someone with an opposing view just ask a question? Disclosure?? It was obvious where Kerr was coming from, just as it was obvious where the dude holding the rifle asking about gun control and the two blacks talking about crime were coming from. Get beyond this side show.

[blb2121]

ymmuda,

Just continue to ignore the issue. The FACT is that there have been 7 of the questioners from the debate who either LIED (Kerr) about their FORMAL affiliations to opposing candidates or didn't disclose it obviously doesn't phase you because if benefits you.

YOU are being PARTISAN when you ignore that PRIMARIES are where PARTY MEMBERS determine who THEY want to represent THEIR party. or that people from opposing parties have the ability to frame there questions to affect the response.

[blb2121]

(Reply)

CNN had a responsibility to show integrity to the debates/democratic process and FAILED. CNN selected the framework, pre-screened the questions, and selected Kerr and the others. It was not a random process. CNN had a responsibility to determine anyone had any FORMAL affiliations with opposing parties and/or candidates.

- a Democrat btw, and your efforts to spam youtube claiming no relationships existed where obviously they did, is a partisan act.

[speakmymind01]

We need to make damn sure CNN is not let off the hook for planting Democrat Activist at a Repulican debate, do you think anyone from Right to Life would be given a microphone to ask Hillary a question at a Dem debate?

[jpbalkenende]

Why not?

[eneliatarknenah]

Mitt Rimney: I would like gay people to serve in the military. Just not while we're at war.

Whatever. If they ever have a draft, I'm gay.

[sonofaglitch2]

Some interesting responses here regarding Kerr's ranking and/or motivation, which I'll have to read up about later.

Nonetheless, all men and women who serve their country, particularly in the armed forces deserve to be commended and revered for their duty. As such, the candidates who answered (and rejected) Kerr's inquiry ought to be ashamed for lacking compassion for their fellow man. Homosexuals are not second-class citizens; let's get real about this issue once and for all.

[ReikuTaradashi]

Shut the fuck up. It's not about disrespecting them. It has nothing to do with that, dumbass. It's about making sure everybody can work together as a tight group, which (not that you would know) is a big deal in the military.

[sonofaglitch2]

You lost all credibility with your argument once you resorted to personal attacks.

At any rate, how does being gay, or black, or a woman stop people in the service from working in a "tight group," exactly?

Unsavory behavior or disruption is one thing, but usually its straight people doing these things (like forcing lower-ranking women members to have sex with them or face demotion or worse). Read a book or two.

[angusharris]

I was an Army SGT. I am straight. Why would I care if a guy is gay in my company? Again, I am straight. So, what's the problem? It all boils down to nervous christians. I believe in the seperation of church and state. Gays have every right to serve openly. Christians have no right to create military policy.

[JDHURF]

standing ovation for Gen. Keith Kerr.

[speakmymind01]

this Son of a Bitch should have never been allowed to be in the same zip code as the Republican Debate, a democrat activist, flown hundreds of miles by CNN, to make an ass out of Republicans.

[recklessted]

somebody call the whaaaaambulance

[ResurrectedFish]

this phony was never a general in the Army or National Guard -- just a colonel, with weekend duty at the armory.

This "general" rank he bandies about is some California militia honorary title, about as real as the ranks of Colonel Sanders and Elvis' manager, "Colonel" Tom Parker.

He was a business school professor, spent nearly zip on active duty, and his service was weekend drills at the Armory for 31 yrs -- not 43.

He has a far better claim to the title "Rear Admiral" heh heh ....

[mutualdisdain]

The fact this man was given the microphone on the floor of the debate should be a tell-tell sign that a setup has occurred. He gets to speak longer than some of the presidential candidates on stage, and none of his affiliations are revealed. CNN can no longer be trusted to be fair or impartial as evidenced in the plants they allowed during the last Democratic debate.

[Fredsanus]

Gay people do not believe in religion or a god because if they did they would have to except they are doing something wrong, and we (hetro) people know gay people ALWAYS think they are in the right. I'am tired of the gay community trying to push there so called gay agenda on everybody telling us WE (hetro)must except their lifestyle.

Vote Huckabee...People lets fight to keep morality alive in America...SATAN HAS HIS GRIP ON THE WORLD!

[laleeloolelo]

"I'am tired of the gay community trying to push there so called gay agenda on everybody telling us WE (hetro)must except their lifestyle".

Fred, real hetero guys think about WOMEN! We don't obsess over people who like guy on guy action.

If you're obsessed about them it's because you (secretly) like it (guy on guy action that is) not because you're tired of gay agenda.

[nia74656]

"we (hetro) people...their lifestyle"

And what, exactly, are you doing?

"Gay people...something wrong"

Yes, because EVERY religion thinks homosexuality is evil. Obviously. I mean, the idea of a deity is absolutely incompatible with being gay. Jeez. Don't know where those crazy homos get ideas that they've just as much right to express their spirituality as you 'hetero' folks...

[Randomambusher]

I serve with two gay guys in my unit. They're easily the most disciplined and two of the five best marksmen in the company. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with professionalism, ability, or bravery and to think otherwise is foolish and hateful. If gays were bad for the military, Sparta would not have been the dominate power of it's day.

[ResurrectedFish]

"Sexual orientation has nothing to do with professionalism"

Let me guess -- you're a long way from a combat unit, right? Or otherwise you'd know that the guy next to you is your blood bank. That's why it's on your dog tags, for direct transfusion at the front.

Considering the phenomenal rate of HIV & other STDs in the young gay male population, compared to non-gay, they present far too high a risk in combat. Aside from that, I wouldn't give a particular shit.

[Clashx59]

Who the hell do you think you are? You're talking to a solider in the army. It should not fucking matter if they're gay or not! What you're talking about are people with HIV. Heterosexuals HAVE THAT TOO. It only makes sense by your logic to bar people with HIV from fighting in the war, not homosexuals. And secondly, if I do serve and it comes down to I need blood from an HIV sufferer, I'd rather have HIV positive blood and survive to see my family and loved ones then die in battle.

[speakmymind01]

Clash, shut the hell up for a minute, I think he's right, I believe ALL gays should be immediately discharged from the military, if they don't like it...tough

[FlaviaR]

Sure, I agree that gays should be expelled from the military: why should they serve a country who openly despise them? (& yes, because I know someone won't get it, I was being sarcastic)

[Randomambusher]

I've seen deployment and combat in Afghanistan, so stop making assumptions, bud.

The guy next to you isn't your blood bank unless he's your blood type, dipshit and we bring units of plasma from the field hospice not out of someone's veins.

Considering you assume all gays have aids, I'd say you do give a shit. You seem to care a lot of hating gays. Did your uncle try the ole' bad touch on you or something?

[gnorow]

You're an idiot ResurrectedFish. Nothing you've said is correct so I think its fair to state that you are a liar.

[ResurrectedFish]

"Nothing you've said is correct"

CDC says you're full of shit. Male homo contact accounts for 67% of HIV-AIDS cases, and another 5% were a real death-wish category: both male homo contact AND IV drug user.

Unless you're claiming more than 72% of the gen'l pop. is gay.

Maybe in YOUR crowd .....

[fluffyemu]

It's not fantasies babe. How do you explain 68% of your lovely homophobic straight units identifying other gays in their unit? And I answered it before - there's an HIV test. EVERYONE should take a freaking STD test, women get female STDs too.

[integral]

Why do you think you became a bigot? Something in your childhood? Did Daddy beat you, or Mommy not love you enough? Ever wonder why you became what you became?

[j0hnwi11iams]

Slavery worked great for the plantation owners, fucktards.

[ccbjdlr]

The Policy does not work. The military commanders say it is working because the people it effects are silenced by the policy "don't ask, don't tell" One of the core values in the military is honesty. With this policy that is impossible. I am a 20 year Navy veteran, and now retired I see how this policy effected me. I am gay, and as a civilian I have experienced how telling increases my self image and worth and level of intamacy and honesty with my associates.

[cobwebhead]

How about gay translators?  Firing them endangered out national security!

[mfyyre]

Romney is pure slime.

[thielenm]

"Republicans" these days are living in their own little world. I can't help but think they've all lost it completely.

[souljaEXVOTO]

oh they will. (lose completely) and when they do, this whole country is gonna party in the streets like we all just won the superbowl, or the Oscar, or the lottery. It's gonna be glorious. But even then, how can we ever atone for poor Iraq... a million dead, 3 million gone, mercenaries on steroids, secret prisons...  Re-PLAGUE-licans, goin' down.

[thielenm]

Sorry to say it but I dont think the Democrats are any better =(. I refuse to reward politics anymore so I will vote for a 3rd party or independent.

[takotheoktopus]

The Dems aren't any better. The whole system could use a colon cleansing! The only honest candidates I've seen so far have been Paul and Kucinich. Everyone should know by now that if either of them made it to the white house that they would either be bought or shot.

[Virginian9000]

I think he did get an answer for Duncan Hunter, just not the answer he wanted to hear.

[souljaEXVOTO]

Mitt Romney is the scariest person besides Darth Cheney and mentally crippled Bush. He looks like an evil plastic GI Joe doll that's been cooked in the microwave and he spews hate, racism and intolerance when he takes a stand on anything before consulting with his lawyers. what an ass.

[kuriostone]

I agree deeply - I'm a progressive, so I disagree with all these candidates, but Romney is the only one that I think is personally reprehensible.

Even Giuliani, the political whore, isn't a *mean* bastard...

[souljaEXVOTO]

as dubious a character as Giuliani is, at least he said he does not believe the whole bible and he's pro choice. I mean low standards here, but man those other dudes would never separate church from state. They CAN'T WAIT to overturn ROE which is just so amazing to me. Europe is laughing their asses off at us right now.

[thielenm]

what i cant believe is this conservative guy they had on after the debate who said romney won the debate.

[souljaEXVOTO]

I can't believe any of it. It was like watching the sideshow at the Barnum & Bailey Circus in the 20s. just a total freakshow plus a little Ron Paul voice of reason thrown in to make it at least slightly watchable. It's like trying to pick the least poisonous snake from the Ohio River. ugh.

[SVisionary]

Mitt cant make up his mind and he has to talk to others instead of reach a moral belief without being scared of what others might think. Do we need someone this weak for president?

Ron Paul!

[bigge525]

Everyone keeps forgetting that you could be

the greatest military mind in the history of

all mankind, and if your against the war,

according to the right you know nothing.

[stupidgirl816]

This makes me sad. Romney is a disgusting weasel.

[cityview1989]

So much for "Equal-Rights"

Ron Paul answered this question the best. You should see it.

Everybody except Ron Paul is a FLIP-FLOPPER

[eurotomm]

I watched the debate on YOU TUBE and I found most of the questions and answers to be ridiculous. I liked the question about gays and lesbians serving in the military. I wish every gay and lesbian in the military would RIGHT NOW come out and then see the mess the military and the Republicans find themselves in.

[dafttool]

The argument against gays is so tired. We went through this same obfuscating language intergrating blacks & whites in the service. Fact is servicemen are to uphold the rights of EVERYBODY. If a serviceman is incapable of treating his fellow soldier, gay or straight, black or white, w/the respect they're due, they're unworthy of wearing a uniform & carrying a gun to defend the rights of EVERYBODY.

[pbcinla]

No other YouTubers got a microphone.

Why does this guy...who is not running for president...get almost equal time with Ron Paul?

CNN is completely irresponsible.

No credibility.

[eurotomm]

I suspect it had to do with the fact that he is a retired Brigadier General. That is VERY HIGH up in the military. Support our troops.

[DamNationDiplomat]

Even if it was a planted question, i'd like to hear ron paul's answer on this subject; he's the only one on that stage who isn't homophobic by force of his campaign staff (romney and guilliani) or by socially conservative 'values.' I want to know if he thinks individual liberty extends to homosexuals; if not, he's lost my support.

[pbcinla]

Ron Paul has answered this topic in previous debates. Search for it.

[rationalCrash]

From other debates, he's said that he doesn't care about sexual orientation; Just whether the behavior is disruptive. Not disruptive, not a problem.

[madsnapz]

Why were so many people glued to this debate who clearly have no intention to vote for a Republican candidate?

General Keith Kerr not only is openly gay, he also openly works for Hillary Clinton... look it up.

What would happen if someone working for the Republican National Committee showed up at the Democrat Debate and was allowed to not only ask questions but to make a speech?

[Ender1zero1]

Youtube didn't include a wavier stating you had to be a Republican to ask a question and why should they? Why is watching a debate or asking a question based on party lines? No matter which party wins he or she will be President to All of America not just President of their party, right? One America, one nation isn't that what we're trying to get back to?

[madsnapz]

This is a primary election debate.

A guy working for Hillary was not only picked out of 3000 questions but was taken across the country and given a microphone just to make the candidates look like bigots on an issue from fourteen years ago.

Why doesn't this guy go ask the president who was in office when "don't ask, don't tell" became a policy... who was that again... oh yea BILL CLINTON.

The fact is, the next President is not going to change the military policy on gays no matter who it is.

[Ender1zero1]

You can't "make" someone look like a bigot, they either are or they aren't. The man who asked the question has as much right as any other youtuber to ask a question no matter what committees he sets on or which party he leans towards BTW he's an Independent. The next President may or may not change military policy that's kinda up to them not you.

[madsnapz]

I disagree, when you ask a question in a particular context and give them a time limit on answering, you can make anyone look like anything.

He can ask the question but this is not the time nor place, and he has the responsibility to be honest about where he's coming from, not an "undecided voter".

How about the same question posed to the other side, it won't happen. It's called media bias.

[Ender1zero1]

The candidates knew the ground rules going in, time limits and all and obviously it was the correct time and place to ask questions that's what debates are for. You do have a point he should have forthcoming about his affiliations maybe his question mattered enough to him that asking it mattered more then being completely honest, thanks to our Government policy he's had decades to practice being less then completely honest with the people around him.

[madsnapz]

It was a loaded question. He already knew where they stand.

The purpose of THIS debate was to figure out whether or not you want to vote for any of these guys. This man already knows he does not.

This dialog is not taking place anywhere in the government right now. Hillary could bring it up in the senate any time, she doesn't.

The Dems control the Congress, no discussion.

This policy was the compromise from the old policy of "no gays", and now 14 years later THAT'S not good enough.

[Ender1zero1]

You're right after 14 years of Gays serving in the Military don't ask don't tell is not good enough. In it's time it was or should have been a stepping stone to equal treatment but conservatives can't seem to get past their bigotry, yet. General Kerr is a registered Independent has he stated who he plans to vote for? I don't know. I do know setting on a committee to support a cause you believe in is not a promise or guarantee of your vote to a particular candidate.

[madsnapz]

The military is what it is. Soldiers cannot wear their hair long or get a facial tattoo to be "openly artistic".

It is meant to defend the nation, not be a platform for individual expression.

The General started by telling everyone on the stage "I know how you feel" then went on to say "because of that you are saying the military is unprofessional"

If you can't accept that he never intended to vote for any of these guys, you are being intellectually dishonest.

[Ender1zero1]

I have no idea who he plans to vote for and I wouldn't presume to guess he is a Log Cabin Republican after all.

According to the NY times 28 retired generals and admirals plan to send a letter to Congress asking for the repeal of DADT. Looks like Brigadier General Kerr isn't the only with issues with DADT.

[fluffyemu]

"Individual expression?" There are people who were discharged from the military for writing a private email to their same sex partner. Period. How is that "individual expression?"

[MsgtSpook]

That's just too fucking dumb to even respond to.

He sits on two of Hillary's campaign committees, and you're dimwitted enough to suggest he's a fucking independent?

[Ender1zero1]

No I didn't suggest it, I assumed it based on past information, I corrected my mistake he is a Log Cabin Republican.

[Fringe111]

This debate made me sick to my stomach. With all the questions submitted not one was asked about health care, education, the economy plus more. It makes me think how and who picked thise vids. I have already written a letter to CNN and Anderson Cooper

[fishhead06]

Are these candidates representative of the American mainstream?

[abassler]

I liked to think they aren't but they do represent those who call themselves social conservatives, and those people are flat out bigots.

[Fringe111]

Not at all. The whole debate was a joke. It wouldn't bother me in the least if a gay man or woman worked beside me and I think most of the country feels that way

[chadagg]

I ask CNN, which is more important: gays being able to be openly gay in the military or the nation's education system? How about upholding the constitution? Health care?  Energy Independence? Apparently, the gay issue takes priority since none of the others were mentioned last night. This is what's wrong with MSM debates - all they care about is controversy translating into ratings and topics to discuss the next day. Nothing at all important.

[Randomambusher]

None of the questions were about Iraq or healthcare. NONE. They had 5000 questions to pick from and they picked none about either topic.

[jsfumato]

ill give you a small tight unit...... asshole

[Drstrangelove17]

best.... comment... EVER!

[Bolgernow]

Romney should have Craftsman tattooed on his ass...he's a tool...

[skinnychef]

hahaha! good!

[sarcasmosis]

What a couple of assholes! What year do they think it is, 1962? This is such a non-issue that I can't believe they let Romney blubber on so offensively for so long. You can tell there are serious problems when things like this overshadow real issues.