My hometown daily’s editorialist, Kevin McDermott, attempts to rewrite the history I lived with Democrats and DOMA.
Bill Clinton did, in fact, sign DOMA into law. And it was 1996. Loesch definitely got those two things right.
As for the rest — Democrats “championing” its passage, Clinton offering “fervent” support, Republicans proudly lining up with their revered Log Cabin leaders in a principled quest to stop it … Well, no.
This is from a wire-service report that appeared on Page 1 of the Post-Dispatch on July 13, 1996, on the passage of DOMA through the House.
McDermott’s proof? One wire story which makes no mention of the fact McDermott carefully omits for the daily readers, that Clinton did fervently support it. Weak sauce. Note my RedState piece:
The year was 1996 and I was a young college frosh, Democrat, and progressive activist. Democrats campaigned on DOMA. Clinton, the new Kennedy-of-sorts, was a fervent supporter, writing prior to the bill’s signing:
I have long opposed governmental recognition of same-gender marriages and this legislation is consistent with that position.
Clinton wrote that prior to signing DOMA. McDermott refused to include it in his piece and the only reason I can guess is that including it would have meant no column. He couldn’t dispute the roll call vote I linked showing that the majority of Democrats, not “dozens,” voted for DOMA. He clearly wanted to argue but seemed to have published before articulating his thoughts beyond “nuh uh.” I realize that simply linking to it will give it more attention than it would regularly receive, and I’m OK with that. My next point is worth it and laid out there all day, just waiting for someone to make it. Mr. McDermott kindly indulged me and did so beautifully.
That point is this: if Democrats want to take credit for the balanced budget in that “Republican controlled congress,” they must absolutely take credit for DOMA, too. Can’t have one and not the other. In fact, we should just call it ClintonDOMA, like we do with Obamacare. Democrats are never happy with their accomplishments. In twenty years they’ll be trying to pass off Obamacare as a GOP creation, too.
I’m glad someone finally nibbled on that set-up.
