Immediately after John Edwards was named John Kerry’s running mate, the Republicans released an opposition research report noting every negative thing they could think of about Edwards, his beliefs, and his record.
As I noted last week, some of the attacks bordered on the bizarre. For instance, the GOP attacked Edwards for opting out of a quiz on foreign leaders during an interview on MSNBC, which seemed like an odd criticism in light of Bush’s background on the issue.
But, as it turns out, that wasn’t the strangest tidbit in the GOP’s attack. Matt Yglesias noted yesterday that Republicans have admonished Edwards for supporting a right to privacy.
Edwards Believes In Right To Privacy When It Comes To State Sodomy Laws. ABC’s GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: “Here in the state of South Carolina, it’s a felony for two gay men to have sex in their own home. Senator Edwards, do you support the right of the people of South Carolina to keep that law on the books, or do you think that under the Constitution there’s a fundamental right to privacy that protects that right?” EDWARDS: “I believe there is a fundamental right to privacy. I do not believe the government belongs in people’s bedrooms. I think that applies to both gay and lesbian couples and heterosexual couples.” (Sen. John Edwards, Remarks At Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/3/03)
Let me get this straight; Edwards believes government shouldn’t interfere in people’s private lives and the Republicans believe this is worthy of an attack?
I can only hope they’ll turn this into a TV ad. Hell, I’d even contribute to help put in on the air.