The wife of Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards is calling the recent debate flap over Vice President Cheney's gay daughter a distraction from more pressing issues.
Campaigning in Denver, Elizabeth Edwards said she was upset with Republican complaints about John Kerry's comments in his debate last week with President Bush.
Kerry referred to Mary Cheney, the daughter of Vice President Cheney, when asked whether homosexuality is a choice. Kerry mentioned that Mary Cheney is a lesbian, saying, "She's being who she was born as."
Cheney and his wife, Lynne, accused Kerry of using their daughter for political gain. Other Republicans, including President Bush, have called Kerry's remarks inappropriate.
Elizabeth Edwards says the criticism distracted from issues that should have been raised in the debate, such as health care and jobs and education.
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APPHOTO COEA102 (10/18/04)>>
A: Elizabeth Edwards, wife of vice presidential candidate John Edwards, is greeted by a group of youngsters with United States flags at a rally in Denver on Monday, Oct. 18, 2004, where she urged voters to take advantage of early voting. Coloradoan's could vote early for the Nov. 2nd election beginning on Monday.