Romney Slams Bill Clinton

Mitt Romney was on Meet The Press today where he slammed Bill Clinton over the Lewinsky scandal, which the right is resurrecting as Hillary's run for president grows more likely. Romney: "He embarrassed the nation. He breached his responsibility, I think, as an adult and as a leader in his relationship. and I think that’s very unfortunate.”

Cardinal Dolan: We've Been Out-Marketed

Cardinal Timothy Dolan says that that Catholic Church as been "out-marketed" by activists and politicians who have unfairly branded the church as anti-gay. Dolan's remarks will be aired tomorrow on Meet The Press.

"We've been caricatured as being anti-gay," Dolan said in an interview airing Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. "And as much as we'd say, 'Wait a minute, we're pro marriage, we're pro traditional marriage, we're not anti anybody,' I don't know. "When you have forces like Hollywood, when you have forces like politicians, when you have forces like some opinion-molders that are behind it, it's a tough battle," he said. The legal battle over same-sex marriage has moved to states, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision striking down a tenet of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. "I think I'd be a Pollyanna to say that there doesn't seem to be kind of a stampede to do this," Dolan told David Gregory of Meet the Press. "I regret that. I wish that were not the case for the states."

Maybe Dolan should hold an exorcism to get rid of all that evil marketing.  The Illinois-based Civil Rights Agenda has responded to Dolan's words. Via press release:

The Catholic bishops have spent millions of dollars fighting hate crimes legislation and laws banning housing and employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,. Most egregious, the bishops have threatened to not support the immigration reform bill if it includes same-sex couples. The bishops consistently reduce gay people to their genitals and what they do or do not do with them and a number of bishops have supported and promoted dangers programs that seek to change gay people's sexual orientation. The bishops have opposed any legislation or policy changes that would affirm gay people's right to be treated equitably under the law. That is why the Church is perceived as anti-gay. It is not a caricature it is a sad reality,

NRA Remains Silent

The National Rifle Association has yet to comment on the Sandy Hook tragedy. In fact, the day after the shooting they took down their main Facebook page.

On Saturday, one day after the unthinkable shootings at a Newtown, Conn. elementary school, the NRA took a more drastic measure by deactivating its Facebook page after celebrating getting to 1.7 million fans on the social site earlier in the week. While the group has not commented since Friday's tragedy, it appears to have staked out a strategy to take its brand out of the social media picture in the wake of a mass-shooting news event. Given its guns-rights cause, the social media buzz after such events seems to be an unenviable conversation for the org to partake in. The NRA's chief Twitter account, which has doubled in followers to 63,000 since the Aurora shootings, has been silent since tweeting out a holidays giveaway contest early Friday.

And there's this.

Ann Romney Feels Your Pain

"I know that people are suffering right now. And for people to think that we don’t have empathy just because we’re not suffering like they’re suffering is ridiculous. And our struggles have not been financial, but they’ve been with health and with difficulties in different things in life. And one thing that I, again, like to remind people is that — multiple sclerosis has been my teacher. It has been at times a cruel teacher. But it has also been a great gift in my life because [of] what it has done, it has taught me to be more compassionate and caring for others that are suffering." - Ann Romney, speaking on Meet The Press.

Did Joe Biden Just Accidentally (On Purpose) Endorse Gay Marriage?

This morning on Meet The Press Vice President Joe Biden appeared to come out in support of same-sex marriage. Think Progress has the quote:

Look, I am Vice President of the United States of America. The president sets the policy. I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women and heterosexual men marrying women are entitled to the same exact rights. All the civil rights, all the civil liberties. And quite frankly I don’t see much of a distinction beyond that. [...] I think Will & Grace probably did more to educate the American public than almost anything anybody has done so far. People fear that which is different and now they’re beginning to understand.

Already there's some backtracking.

Human Rights Campaign

We are encouraged by Vice President Biden's comments, who rightly articulated that loving and committed gay and lesbian couples should be treated equally. Now is the time for President Obama to speak out for full marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Stonewall Democrats

We are proud of Vice President Joe Biden for his strong statement in support of giving our relationships the dignity and respect they deserve. On the heels of Mitt Romney's reprehensible treatment of his only gay staffer in the midst of an onslaught of attacks from the bigoted wing of the GOP, the Vice President's statement underlines the contrast between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to LGBT equality. While not a direct endorsement of marriage equality, the Vice President's statement is promising. What we really need now is for President Obama to take a stand in support of the freedom to marry and bring to bear the full weight of his Administration to make it reality.

Freedom To Marry

"I’ve known Vice President Biden since interning for him in the Senate in 1976. The personal and thoughtful way he has spoken about his coming to support the freedom to marry reflects the same journey that a majority of Americans have now made as they’ve gotten to know gay families, opened their hearts and changed their minds. President Obama should join the Vice President, former Presidents Clinton and Carter, former Vice Presidents Gore and Cheney, Laura Bush, and so many others in forthright support for the freedom to marry." - Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom To Marry.

GLAAD

"Today, Vice President Biden took an important step toward joining former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, former Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney, and a growing majority of Americans who support marriage equality for their gay and lesbian friends, family and neighbors,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “It is significant that Vice President Biden spoke about the importance of Will & Grace in his journey toward acceptance, since we know that the media plays a key role in helping people understand that denying any loving couple the chance at happiness and security that comes only through marriage is not only hurtful, it's downright un-American.”

The New York Times takes notice.

Mr. Biden prefaced his remark in his NBC interview by saying, “The president sets the policy,” and his aides later indicated that the views he expressed were his own. The White House immediately suggested on Sunday that the vice president had articulated no change in the administration’s official position on same-sex marriage. But gay rights advocates said that Mr. Biden’s remarks seemed to convey unmistakable support for their biggest cause. “Trying now to walk this back will only hurt them,” said Richard Socarides, a political strategist who advised President Bill Clinton on gay rights issues. “You can’t clarify an answer as direct and candid and expansive as the one he gave.” He added: “We know where Biden stands. It’s a welcome development.”

Crazy Eyes: I Don't Judge Gay People

She just believes we're "of Satan" and that we all need to be brainwashed into being straight Christians. Watch Meet The Press host David Gregory rip her to shreds.

Sen. Harry Reid: Tea Party Will Disappear As Soon As The Economy Gets Better

Sen. Mitch McConnell: Not Much Chance Of A Vote On DADT Before End Of Year

Sen. John McCain Wants A New DADT Study (Because The First One Is Pro-Gay)

On Meet The Press today Sen. John McCain said he'd like to see a second study on DADT that "asks the right questions." Because he doesn't like the answers to the questions on the first study. McCain also dismissed the controversy about his wife's suddenly withdrawn opposition to DADT, saying, "I respect the First Amendment rights of all members of my family."

RELATED: The Human Rights Campaign reacts via press release.

“Obviously the senator doesn’t like the preliminary findings of the Pentagon’s DADT survey, which found a clear majority of U.S. service members are okay serving with their gay and lesbian comrades. The senator has known all along the study developed by the Pentagon Working Group was looking at how to repeal DADT—not whether to do so. McCain has said he wanted to hear from the senior military leadership. He heard loud and clear from Secretary Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, last February when both were firmly in support of repeal. McCain has said he wanted to hear from rank-and-file troops. He has just heard loud and clear from them through the survey.

But he doesn’t like their answer-- and is stonewalling, trying to run out the clock on repeal by calling for congressional hearings. The truth is McCain is increasingly alone in his irrational opposition to open service. Sixty-four percent of Republicans disagree with McCain and favor lifting the ban. No matter the evidence, McCain will use whatever tactics at his disposal to not only stop repeal from moving forward, but will hold hostage the most critical military defense bill to do so.”

Teabagger Senate Candidate Ken Buck: Gayness Is A Choice, Like Alcoholism

Today on Meet The Press, teabagger Senate candidate Ken Buck declared that being gay is a choice. Except when it's not, like for alcoholics. Or something. Via Talking Points Memo:

Colorado Senate candidates Ken Buck (R) and incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet (D) met for a debate on Meet The Press this morning and sparred on the budget, the Tea Party and flip-flops. But the most controversial moment came when host David Gregory asked Buck if he believes that being gay is a choice. Buck responded that he thought it was a choice, but allowed that "birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism and some other things." The comments came at the end of the debate, when Gregory asked Buck to expand on some recent comments he'd made about "lifestyle choices" when expressing his support for the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Buck said he believed being gay is a choice, and Gregory asked him: "based on what?" "Based on what?" Buck said. "I guess you could choose who your partner is." "I think that birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism and some other things," Buck continued. "But I think that, basically, you have a choice."

Buck currently leads incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet by four to seven points in the polls.

UPDATE: The Human Rights Campaign responds via press release.

"Mr. Buck’s ill-informed views are not only factually inaccurate, but they are extremely dangerous,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “In the past six weeks a number of teenagers have taken their own lives after being the victims of anti-gay bullying and harassment. When public figures like Mr. Buck make statements like he did today, kids struggling with their identities question their self-worth and other kids justify bullying. Ken Buck must correct his remarks now." "This is yet another in a long line of examples showing that Ken Buck is out of touch with the majority of Coloradans,” said One Colorado Executive Director Brad Clark. “Instead of focusing on common values of respect for all people, Buck is spewing divisive, extreme rhetoric. His claim that homosexuality is a choice is yet another example of his extreme views falling out of step with everyday Coloradans."

John McCain: There Is Strong Opposition To DADT Among Military Leaders

On Meet The Press today, Sen. John McCain was called out for his recent backtracking on DADT, which he once said should be repealed if military leaders agreed, as we saw Joint Chiefs chairman Admiral Mike Mullen do recently. McCain: "Oh, but Mullen was speaking personally."

Rachel Maddow Vs. Dick Armey

On yesterday's Meet The Press. Things get going around the 5:00 mark.

Schwarzenegger On Meet The Press

On Meet The Press yesterday, Tom Brokaw asked California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger about the gay marriage ballot referendum.

MR. BROKAW: You have a lot of propositions on the ballot again this fall. One of them would mean a constitutional ban on gay marriages. Do you support that?

GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER: No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I think the Supreme Court made a decision there. It was apparently unconstitutional to stop anyone from getting married. It's like 1948, the interracial marriage, when the Supreme Court of California has, you know, decided it was unconstitutional and then later on the Supreme Court of the United States followed, I think 10 or 12 years later. So I think it is, it's good that California lead--is leading in this way. I personally believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. But at the same time I think that my, you know, belief, I don't want to force on anyone else, so I think we should stay with the decision of the Supreme Court and move forward. There are so many other more important issues that we have to address in California. So I think to spend any time on this initiative I think is a waste of time.

It's just so interesting that a die-hard Republican and McCain supporter like the Governator would come out in support of marriage equality. It's been, what, a month since he first did so? I still kinda can't get over it.

Tim Russert Dies Of Heart Attack

Breaking news:

Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and the moderator of “Meet the Press,” died Friday after a sudden heart attack at the bureau, NBC News said Friday. He was 58.

Russert was recording voiceovers for Sunday’s “Meet the Press” program when he collapsed, the network said. He and his family had recently returned from Italy, where they celebrated the graduation of Russert’s son, Luke, from Boston College.

No further details were immediately available.

Russert was best known as host of “Meet the Press,” which he took over in December 1991. Now in its 60th year, “Meet the Press” is the longest-running program in the history of television.

But he was also a vice president of NBC News and head of its overall Washington operations, a nearly round-the-clock presence on NBC and MSNBC on election nights. He was “one of the premier political journalists and analysts of his time,” Tom Brokaw, the former longtime anchor of “NBC Nightly News,” said in announcing Russert’s death. “This news division will not be the same without his strong, clear voice.”

In 2008, Time Magazine named Russert him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

I only really started watching Meet The Press once Russert took over. Sad.