Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 15:50:31 -0500 From: Kevin Ivers Subject: More McCain: LCR TV Monitor LCR TV MONITOR: McCain's full comments on gays, only reported in part in previous stories (Washington Post, Associated Press, USA Today) were shown in their entirety on "Special Report with Brit Hume" from video footage of the interview. Missing was the sentence in front of the question on "how he knew" in which McCain was first asked if he'd served with gay people in Vietnam, and he said: "I know of many good people who I suspect were gay people, and I appreciated their service to the country." John McCain appeared on the "Today" show this a.m. NBC's Couric asked how he could tell people were gay in the Navy: "The main way that I knew was after that person got out of the Navy, he told me that he was gay. That was the main way that I knew that." Couric: "But you also said that sometimes you can tell by behavior and attitudes?" McCain: "No. They said, 'how did you know that person?' And I said, 'well, I could tell, but the main reason is because that person told me that they were gay after they got out of the Navy. And I am not really sure what that has to do with presidential politics, but I'd be glad to discuss it." Asked to respond to criticism from Human Rights Campaign spokesman David Smith, who called McCain's comments "a form of prejudice" - McCain: "My record of my life and in the Senate has been to oppose discrimination of any kind. I met with the Log Cabin Republicans at their request, and I've worked with them on a number of issues that we agree on. McCain on if he were president whether he would have a gay political desk at the White House: "I don't think that is necessary because I would be open to all Americans, whether they are gay and lesbian, no matter who they are. In fact, I think you might view them in some sort of special status, which I am not sure is necessary. I am working towards a society where no one needs a, quote, special liaison." ("Today," NBC, 1/19). Newsweek's Fineman, on McCain's ability to spot someone who is gay is effecting him in NH: "Up here in new Hampshire ... I didn't hear anybody up here talking about it" ("Hardball," CNBC, 1/18). FNC's Kirtz: "Many gay rights consider him the most friendly to their cause among the Republican presidential candidates; that's why Monday's comments surprised some. ... Even the gay activists who criticize him give McCain some credit for reaching out to gay Republicans. He's the only Republican presidential candidate who has met with the Log Cabin Republicans. His campaign has also accepted $40,000 from the organization" Log Cabin Republicans' Kevin Ivers, on McCain's comments: "Sometimes you can tell and sometimes you can't. But the important aspect to the story is that he knew gay people in the military and he didn't discriminate against them. And he didn't seek to have them rooted out. He fought alongside them" ("Special Report with Brit Hume," Fox News Channel 1/18). Log Cabin Republicans Kevin Ivers (202) 347-5306 phone Director of Public Affairs (202) 347-5224 fax http://www.lcr.org