2008 California Election Forum

At a Democratic debate, John Edwards was asked if he would be comfortable having the “King and King” kid book—where two men are kissing at the end and living “happily ever after”—read to second graders (7 years old).Edwards responded “I don't want to make that decision on behalf of my children. I want my children to be able to make that decision on behalf of themselves, and I want them to be exposed to all the information, even in (chuckling), what did you say, second grade?

“Well, second grade might be a little tough, but even in second grade, to be exposed to all those possibilities. Because I don't want to impose my view—nobody made me God—I don't get to decide on behalf of my family and my children...I don't get to impose on them what it is that I believe is right.”