The Presidential Forum held last night by LGBT-advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign and LOGO TV didn't bring any surprises, but was nonetheless a significant moment in LGBT history. All of the Democratic candidates were there, except for Chris Dodd and Joe Biden, who had scheduling conflicts. (The Republican candidates were asked by HRC/LOGO to participate in a separate forum, and all declined.) The event proved beyond doubt that the LGBT community is a constituency major candidates must take time to cultivate. Below are my thoughts on the Forum. Much of it would seem to belong over at Daily Kos, but since I get into Edwards' views on LGBT families, I thought I'd post it here. For a more detailed blow-by-blow of the action, visit Visible Vote '08, which also has links to many other prominent political bloggers.

Barack Obama seemed comfortable and well informed talking about LGBT issues. He distinguished between "a weak version of civil unions" and "a strong version at the federal level," which he would enact. This gets points over Hillary's "leave it to the states" stance. He also conveyed the most palpable sense of being passionate about justice and equality, without the touchy-feeliness of Kucinich and Gravel. He reminded us he doesn't just talk about LGBT issues when at LGBT functions, but has done so in many speeches, including one in front of black ministers.

Obama didn't explain why he doesn't support full marriage equality, though he did say that if he were advising the black civil rights movement of the 1960's, he would tell them to focus on voting rights before anti-miscegenation laws. This seems like a variant on Richardson's "do what is achievable" position. Hillary took this approach, too, when explaining why she didn't push for a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." It wouldn't have happened with a Republican Congress and Bush as President, she said. I'll allow some room for the need to "play politics" to get things done in Washington. I'll also concede that this may be an acceptable excuse for a legislator (whether or not it is true in this case). The role of a president, however, is not to do what is achievable. It is to inspire us as a country to achieve more than we think possible. (Or maybe I've just been watching too many old episodes of The West Wing.)