your diary is really reaching, and actually quite disrespectful.  wrapping up an entire career of public service into one statement, which frankly isn't even close to offensive, is pathetically desperate.

Why is it that otherwise reasonable political types turn into total frat boys with Imus.  Why even go on Imus... who are his listeners??

I have a lot of respect for Richardson's work across the globe, but I'm disappointed in him for this statement. The gay rights movement is about 30 years behind the civil rights movement - I can't believe that he holds a serious hatred of gay people, but that doesn't excuse his comment in this day and age.

the VP.  While I know he's favored among Obama supporters, the campaign really is not pushing him.  They're using him where he can drum up support.  They're pretty aware that he's an abysmal campaigner, which I would say is probably a prerequisite for the slot.  And I think he would just further alienate Clinton supporters after the Carville comments.

I'm sorry if this comment offended you.  I don't know enough about Spanish to know whether it is offensive.  It seems like it was said in the context of the other person saying Richardson was not a Latino.  Rather than debunk that insult, he fell prey to Imus's trap and basically answered yes, he is a whatever.  Had Obama been in the same situation, he would have stepped outside of the box and said we need to look at the situation rather than answering the question either way.  Richardson has not been the most brilliant at identifying questions that are designed to trap him, yet another reason why he shouldn't be on the ticket.

This is quite surprising.  I agree with others that he isn't ready for prime time, even without that comment.

Wait. That's not what you think.

I'm not supporting Richardson in anyway but as a hispanic I can
tell you he wasn't using it as a gay slur.

It does mean faggot if you go by it's original meaning but it's used as a playful insult between friends and has all but lost it's original meaning.

It's like similiar in the english language to what
son of a bitch has become. If you take it literally the meaning is
clear but it has evolved.

You scared me you sonavabitch! is not the same as

saying Your mother is a bitch. People get that.

I don't know if you guys understand what I'm saying here.

People who want to understand will and those who don't won't.

I'm just trying to explain that between friends it's not offensive
if used in jest. Gays don't get offended anymore than straights.

the son of a bitch comparison is the closest I can get.

I hope that those that want to understand a bit will.

I'm not saying it's not crass or vulgar but I am trying to explain that used in the context and tone he did it's not that bad.

I believe Richardson endorsed Obama after asking for, and getting, a VP promise.  I also suspect that he asked Hillary first and she wouldn't give him what he wanted, and then he turned to Obama, who needed (and still needs) help with the Latino community.

Too bad.  I liked Richardson once upon a time.

"Maricon" does not equal "faggot". A "maricon" is a "sissy" or "pansy." "Joto" (pronounced Hoto) is the equivalent of "faggot." Though "maricon" could rise to the level (venom wise) to faggot if you add a curse word before it like "pinche."

Now for the second cent;

Even though those dolts on the radio show were supposedly joking around with him their joke was pretty loaded. I guess you'd have to be Hispanic or Latino and have to deal with people (usually white) who think they're in a position to judge whether you're Hispanic/Latino to understand. Add to that that Bill Richardson is biracial and the "joke" probably hit too close to home for him and he took the otherwise obvious bait and went there with them.

I found myself in a similar position today with some Obamabot who thought he/she knew me and actually said I was just pretending to be Latino. It took all I could muster to not pull a Bill Richardson on him/her.

Disclosure: Bill was my number two until he stabbed the Clintons in the back, though I never gave him any money.

Disclosure#2: I'm a Gay American. (h/t Gov. McGreasy)  

I'm not a huge Richardson fan, anyway, though. Frankly, I think he'd be a drag on the ticket.

better every day.

Like Obama gives a shit about glbt people, given the south carolina homophobic roadshow and his lack of stopping it or apologizing afterwards.

That's a little bit surprising.

Obviously feelings toward gay rights, and so forth, aren't equivalent throughout the party.  The black community is fairly religious, and less gay friendly (in general, obviously with exceptions).  I don't know for certain, but I'd imagine the Latino community's largely Catholic faith would make it similarly less gay friendly, though I'd appreciate hearing someone else's opinion on this, as I don't speak with any certainty.

It's disappointing, for certain, and I think reactions to homosexuals (even among those who want to be PC) are still among the most difficult for heterosexual men, simply because the vast majority of their exposure is to ridiculous stereotypes, rather than reality, and homosexuality isn't always so obvious as race, sex, or any of the other things that make people different.  

I think this was also evident in some of Richardson's answers at the gay issues candidate forum.  Irrational beliefs about race and sex aren't tolerated, but sexuality is the "new" form of discrimination, and people are bombarded with information like "being gay is a choice" that, if they're not gay, they lack the experience to speak on authoritatively.  

I think the time will come when we look on this period of national gay bashing with the same shame we look on our racist past, and I hope we reach such conclusions as soon as possible.

Richardson knows his stuff and is a good political guy, but his performance in the debates showed he's not ready for the big time.  He's prone to looking stupid, saying odd things, and not looking nearly as smart as he probably is.

He's a 2nd tier (or lower) pick along with DINO Sebelius.

You loined the Obama campaignyesterday, so I have noticed, and I truly wish you my best.

But another thing I am noticing is that you may not find much comfort in doing so in the long run.  You were welcomed with open arms yesterday, but today, when you bring up only a few minor disagreeing opinions, I see that it's going to be tough for you. Only total acceptance of everything and all to do with Obama will do.  Do not sway, do not express original thoughts that may go against only one or a mass of Obama supporters.

Their kindness appears to be limited only to the original conversion post.  Beyond that, you may find that the day after, unless you agree with anything and everything one or a mass of O supporters put forth, in the same place you were before you changed.

They are not a wholesome group, and their friendship is fickle.  But still my best wishes are for you.

I personally need to keep up the fight, even when it looks like there's no way to win.  Because that's the only way true leaders have won in the past.  I'll stick with her until the end, whatever it may be.

In the meantime I just want to say thanks for the many fiery, fierce and dedicated diaries you wrote in support of Hillary.  They mattered.  They were part of the groundwork we all layed down.

Thanks for all you do, and I wish you happiness.

of the United States.  Lay off.

and was considering between him and Joe Biden (back when we still had 7), but after seeing him in person at a small college in NH, I was very turned off by him.  He was asked a question by a student, and kind of tried to avoid a direct answer.  The kid was persistent and asked again, and he really got annoyed and lost his temper - kind of surprising, considering it wasn't that hard a question, and this was supposed to be an easy meet and greet.  Since McCain's temper is such a topic this election, I would think you wouldn't want a running mate with potentially the same problem.  Plus, to be politically incorrect for a minute, at least McCain is old enough to carry off the grouchy curmudgeon (sp?), Richardson isn't quite old enough to pull it off.

We've created this atmosphere of democrats being insensitive to gays.  We, the netroots.

By going after every right winger we could find with the 'closet gay' charge, we have abandoned the high ground in this fight.  

We are becoming what we always accused them of being, intolerant gay-bashers.  We'd better change course now, or you'll be hearing more democrat candidates making such remarks.

..is not the best idea for VP, I really hope he taps Clark or Webb  (hate to lose Webb from the Senate though).

I think "faggot" is not an exact translation for the Spanish word.. some words have different meanings in different cultural contexts. (People where I live like to call ultra-homophobic cowboys "bottoms," suggesting they protest too much and are compensating.)

How Richardson is policy-wise towards us queerfolk is more important, IMO.

It's a deeply painful comment.  It brought out some past emotions for my partner, who was viciously called MARICON all through school, including beatings, taunting, etc.

And don;t soft-pedal this. It means FAG. It's one of the meanest words that can be used against a person PERCEIVED as being gay.

Bill Richards removed himself from consideration of any higher office, in our personal opinion.

sorry Richardson....