McCain's "interview" (list of questions and answers) in the Washington Blade

Maverick McWalnuts agreed to an "interview" with the Washington Blade, one of the papers in the Window Media chain (which also owns Atlanta's Southern Voice), but only in the form of written questions-and-answers. The paper says this is the first time that they know of in which the GOP candidate agreed to any form of an interview with a gay paper.

My reaction to one key Q and A:

Blade: What is your advice to gay rights activists as to what they should pursue and realistically expect to pass in 2009 with regard to the issues listed above?

McCain: My advice to all Americans is that it is time we came together to work in a bipartisan fashion to find real solutions to the challenges facing our country. I will be the President for all Americans — and will challenge every American to work with me to put our country first.

Sen. McCain, putting country first does not mean playing into the politics of fear, which you and your party and your surrogates are doing.

Sen. McCain, putting country first does not mean sucking up to a base which would rather have me forced underground -- or worse -- for being who I am.

Sen. McCain, putting country first means standing up for what this nation was founded on -- liberty and equality, two things that your base want to trounce on for me.

You also speak of Mark Bingham, one of the most high profile gay persons who was lost in 9/11, but is lauded as a hero as part of the passenger contingent on Flight 93 which bravely fought against the terrorists. You mention your address at his funeral. Would you deny rights to this person you laud? To this person who supported your 2000 campaign, back when you were really a maverick?