The American Spectator

BACK IN THE CLOSET br> On Tuesday seven of the nine Democrats running for president made nice with the Human Rights Campaign, which is meeting in Washington, D.C. The two who did not attend the conference were Sens. John Edwards and Bob Graham . Human Rights Campaign, which is considered to be the most influential gay rights and alternative lifestyles lobby, had Sam Donaldson moderate a question and answer period with the seven candidates, focusing on such issues as gay rights and same sex marriage. /p>

Edwards’ decision not to attend was surprising, if only because he had been invited to serve as the keynote speaker at a Human Rights Campaign dinner in Atlanta two months ago. But apparently he took a pass out of concern that his presence at several such events would damage his standing in conservative North Carolina.

p>It should come as no surprise that the three most ardent backers of the Human Rights Campaign agenda are the three also-rans, who may not survive the summer: Carol Moseley Braun , Dennis Kucinich , and the Rev.