You can expect her to do absolutely nothing about the question.

Accept it.. and make your decisions based on that fact.

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. . . could that possibly be called a dodge.

Are you even watching the same clip? I'm not even a Hillary supporter (I'm an Edwards man, myself) but she openly and eloquently gave her support for civil unions, while still declaring that "marriage" should be left up to the individual states. We don't need to rehash which matters are federal and which are states' matter at this point, do we? We've all passed our grade school civics class, yes?

Even Ellen accepted her response without quibble, why can't AlterNet?

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How does she really feel about gay rights? Is there any evidence out there that indicates one way or another? Clearly she is avoiding the question in order to win. We're in a climate where you have to be on a certain bandwagon in order to hold political office. What makes her different from Republicans is that she is not lying about it but choosing not to answer. I don't think we can make any assumptions based on that.

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. . . when I initially responded, I hadn't read the accompanying text.

"Hillary has no good answer so she just totally doesn't answer the question posed to her at all."

That's a rather dramatic assumption on your part, Adam. Don't you have an editor? Or, perhaps when you disagree with her position, its fine by you to invent her rationale for it?

Her reason was very clear: it is the responsibility of the individual states.

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Hillary Clinton didn't dodge the question. She gave her honest answer. If it wasn't what some wanted to hear that's unfortunate. If we had a fair system of health care this would not be as big an issue. Much of it is about the right to the same benefits as married people, and that includes health insurance and tax benefits. No one wants to deprive people of their right to chose a lifestyle and be happy. But nobody has it all. Thanks, ANNA

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. . . is wholly your invention, Adam:

"DeGeneres backs off because after all, this is a morning talk show and not a political program."

Apparently Mr. Howard has been given the superpower of being able to ascertain one's exact thought process given only the words they speak.

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it's pathetic that it takes good comedians to do decent journalism. That's not bad in and of itself, but they shouldn't have to do it. But Ellen asks good, direct questions, and I've said many times that Letterman was the best interviewer of Presidential candidates in '00, both Bush and Gore, demanding-but respectfully-honest answers to questions.

Really, let's not even discuss Hilary any more. People act like she's going to be a principled candidate. OK, she may be more principled than Karl Rove, but that is damning with faint praise. Both she and Bill are/were political animals. Both triangulators. Both willing to say things which tempt devotees to strongly support them, but giving themselves legal cover to plausibly, if dishonorably, retreat from bold positions. This should not be shocking to us liberals. I don't know why people put faith in someone who consistently speaks out of both sides of her mouth (very, very, very well).

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Hilary definitely dodged Ellen's question. The question was why do you support civil unions but not same-sex marriage. All she did was reiterate why she thinks civil unions should be allowed, indicating that she does not support equal marriage rights for gays or she would have said so.

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or marriage, or family values, or any of this crap. This is about a class of people who want to deny other classes basic rights, services or benefits.
When they succeed in turning the discussion into a question of marriage itself, they are winning. And the talking heads are helping them.
It's like African Americans dwelling entirely on the issue of drinking fountains or bus seats. At one level, those are both important fights. But, at the federal level, the real issue is why ANYONE would be denied access to necessary services available to others.
Dems should turn this right around on the righties.
But, they keep taking the bait.
We should divorce common rights, benefits and services from marriage. Why should people have to be married to have healthcare, raise children, or share property? Once that divorce is final, then Gays can get married and tell the "family values" nuts to get back in the closet.

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I really think that Hillaryanswered with more straightforward honesty than I've heard so far in this campaign. She is swimming in DANGEROUS political waters to be so steadfast about gay rights and I feel empowered by that. I'm not a huge Hillary fan on other issues but think she is being very realistic in her support of civil unions. frankly, ALL unions should be civil and we should throw the MARRIAGE word to the religions that hold onto it so tightly. It's just semantics and I dislike being dragged down to the level of arguing semantics when there are real issues to address. Don't ask don't tell is one of those real issues and Hillary chose to bring that issue up without prompting! THAT was GUTSY!

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...but that wasn't bad, considering all the phoniness and evasiveness we've come to expect from Hillary. The fact that she even spends time talking to Ellen--Hollywood's designated lesbian and queen of coming out--and answering these types of questions is pretty daring for a mainstream Democrat these days.

Hell, she even trashes her husband's "Don't ask.." policy. Sticking it to Hubby. Not bad...Not the Hillary we're used to...Makes you wonder what's up her sleeve.

Ellen's not a bad interviewer. She presses her for real answers, but doesn't get too preachy or aggressive. That's what a good interviewer ought to do: make the person feel comfortable and relaxed so they'll respond, unlike a lot of today's interviewers that do all of the talking and never let anybody get a word in.

As for the description for the video, it reads like it was written by a 13-year-old. I'm no PhD in English, but I think the editors could have looked it over before publishing it.

Not the best example of Bad Hillary. I've seen worse.

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First things first.

I'm gay. I think there should be nothing be equal rights across the board, that should go without saying.

I have had this experience a few times on Alternet. A title and description that seems like it will knock my socks off.

But no, this one, like so many others did no such thing.

I am not a Hillary supporter, and it actually pains me to write these words, but I think she did pretty well in this clip. She did not skirt the issue as the title would suggest. Instead, I believe that she answered it pretty well. As a someone who has studied the way that marriage has been changed over the years, it has been through the states and through the United States Supreme Court. Marriage has been considered a state right for as long as it has been around in this country.

Now, do I disagree with Hillary? Sure. But even though I disagree, I think she handled herself much better than most of the clowns that answer this question (and she didn't have to shove her or anyone else's religion in my face to do it!).

It seems to me that disagreeing with what you want to hear is not a reason to suggest that someone didn't answer a question. Let's be honest.

Furthermore, I believe Alternet should expect more of their readers. I hold them to a higher standard of intelligence, logic, etc...... so maybe now it's Alternet's turn.

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In this appearance and others, Senator Clinton has said more than enough to make it very clear that she is trying to give just enough to GLBTQ folks to get their votes. Beyond that, she doesn't give a damn about us or about equal rights.

I'm not about to vote for anyone who would regard my love for a woman as less valuable than my love for a man. This is just another reason why I feel that I have no choice but to support Dennis Kucinich.

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Will Republican media manipulators again be exploiting and drumming Gay issues to incite their right wing Christian zealots to help defeat the Godless Democrats and throttle their support for Gays? I suppose so, don’t you?

Will this lead to the same awful results (another incoming Republican regime – with no prospects of a Federal investigation of the outgoing, and continued ruination of our wrecked National Government)? It seems possible to me.

As a politically exhausted, tax paying American who is a Democrat and former serviceman who supports Gay rights and Gay marriage (and resides in a red state), will you allow me one seemingly impertinent question? I seek mercy from those who will perceive it as offensive - but my intention is only to introduce some pragmatics?

Will these attacks from the left against Hillary et al Democratic candidates continue until Election Day?

Maybe we can either 1. Support Gay Marriage (and other Gay issues) in the Democratic Platform - or 2. Win a critical election. Want to take that awful risk again?

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...who noticed?
It's one thing when a reader/poster makes a typo---it's inexcusable when a writer, a columnist, makes a typo, such as the one found at the end of the first sentence:
"way to eager" instead of "way too eager".
How do these obvious mistakes get past your proof-reader?
Once again, I offer my services.
CHEAP.

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C'mon, people! That separate but equal argument Hillary makes is exactly analogous to the racist Separate but Equal argument from the Civil Rights days. I'm sure Hillary knows the miscegenation laws only changed when the Supreme Court in 1967 rightly stepped in and declared the laws unconstitutional. The idea that "marriage should be left to the states" allows Hillary to dodge real leadership and weasel her way into a sellout position.

Since when is she a states righter? What else should be left up to the states? Abortion? Health care? Social services? The message is clear: Hillary will not defend gays, or anyone else, if it isn't politically expedient to do so. This lack of character permeates her entire playbook. Don't expect any better from her if she gets to the White House.

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It's bad enough. What about Hilary and Israel? Hilary and Iraq? Hilary and corporations? If it comes to that, what about Ellen and corporations? What a sell-out, being the star of Exxon's 'Universe of Energy' propaganda and mass-brainwashing extravaganza that poses as a ride at Disney's EPCOT. Ugh! I certainly lost some respect for her there...

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It's a lot less reprehensible than all her other positions.....

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Adam do you need a hearing aid? She did answer the question, get off of her back and yes I am a Hillary supporter.

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Hey Adam,

I'm not going to weigh in on this particular video clip, but I would like to put forth a critique of your manner of commentary. MAKE IT LESS SARCASTIC!

Good video clips. Good opinions (in my opinion) but your delivery turns me off. You know politics is absurd, and it's easy to be outraged, but keep in mind that most everyone thinks "they are right." My request as a reader is to really focus on what exactly is at stake with the issue at hand. Those insights will speak for themselves. leave the divisive and snobby rhetoric to coulter or whoever. my opinion. paz.

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I saw that episode of Ellen and let's be fair. Ellen is a comedian and she is pandering to an audience of stay at home moms. Complaining about attempts at light heartedness well, that is a bit petty.

Hillary is for Civil Unions and it is not the ultimate destination for same sex couples but it is not a complete slap in the face. This is a long hard road that same sex couples face and it is worth traveling and enduring but progress takes time.

Hate and tolerance are taught so we need to keep educating and as celebrate every win no matter how small. It is also important that until same sex couples have the same right as opposite sex couples that the same sex couples protect themselves from main stream laws meant to limit their rights.

It is important that same sex couples whether married, in a civil union, or just life partners consider the alternative to a prenup. The reality is that a Living Together Contract can act as a prenup for same sex couples and will protect the partners if seperation or death should occur. There is helpful info at www.prenuping.com

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