Worse, Edwards more or less congratulated the Cheneys for loving their gay daughter, as though it were a sacrifice deserving of commendation. And though Cheney graciously thanked Edwards for "the kind words he said about my family and our daughter," many in TV land heard Edwards' remarks as condescending and inappropriate.
How much better had Edwards said instead: "I'd rather not bring the Cheney family into this debate, so let me address my comments to the principle." Or some such.
It is fine for the Cheneys to discuss their difficulties in justifying personal issues with public positions, but it is not fine for anyone else, especially a political opponent, to make personal comments about family members. It isn't done in polite company.
This is an ancient understanding: We can talk about our own families but not someone else's, and vice versa. What is harmless among forgiving kin is a bloodying offense from the blasphemous tongues of others. "Yo mama" never won anybody a valentine.
Next came Kerry. In the presidential debate, moderator Bob Schieffer asked the candidates whether they believe homosexuality is a choice. Bush gave a refreshingly honest answer: "You know, Bob, I don't know," and then described his respect for others alongside his commitment to "the sanctity of marriage."
Agree or disagree, it was an appropriate answer, focused on principle rather than the personal. Kerry, by contrast, went straight to the opposition's heart with a perfunctory hat-tip to the deity.
"We're all God's children, Bob. I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney's daughter, who is a lesbian (no really!), she would tell you that she's being who she was, she's being who she was born as."
How much better had Kerry said, "No, I don't believe homosexuality is a choice." Period. Instead he invoked the name of another man's beloved little girl in order to display his own righteousness.
Perhaps Kerry and Edwards were just being who they were, who they were born as - political profiteers who will use even another man's daughter to win. The difference is, they did have a choice.