It was proper and smart
You're both wrong. It was political genius, and probably not as off-hand as Kerry suggested (witness the double shot by both Dem. candidates).
1. It forced GOP flacks to make a tough call. If they say nothing, they alienate the Christian right, a core but fickle constituency. If they complain about a "low blow," they admit their tether to the Christian right and their need to pander to anti-gay prejudice. This tends to alienate the anti-fundamentalist libertarian right and various centrists, other key constituencies.
2. The first pro-Bush responses underscored the degree Republicans are willing to pander to the homophobes, demonstrated by the right wing pundits' outrage and terror. If they'll take away the Vice President's daughter's right to have a legal mate, you can imagine what they'll take away from you. One Bush supporter even predicted that Kerry will have to "apologize," as if he had falsely accused Republicans of breeding contemptible lesbians.
3. It underscores GOP defensiveness about the gay issue. Everyone knows that Mary Cheney has been out for years, even her Dad mentioned it publicly while campaiging. The hysterical claim that Kerry has crossed some "line" simply shows how scared they are of the topic whenever it goes beyond platitudes about "protecting" marriage and family values.
4. There's no downside for Kerry-Edwards. Just about everyone that backs Kerry would like more attention given to Mary Cheney's sexual preference. In addition to the reasons above, they'd also like to show the Christian bigots that their own leaders don't believe that homosexuality is something that needs to be closeted or "cured." Further, as this thread shows and charged by the Log Cabin Republicans, the outrage is mostly feigned by those already loyal to Bush.
It paints the GOP as the bigot party while discouraging Christian rightists from voting. That's why the Bush people are so angry. They got outplayed.
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