Senator David Norris, Openly Gay Irish Presidential Candidate, Buries His Chances in Disturbing Scandal

COMMENTARY | David Norris was believed by many to not only be Ireland's next president, he would have also been the Emerald Isle's first openly gay president. But no more. As of August 2nd, 2011, he has officially dropped out of the race. In spite of his proving himself a popular candidate, it has now been revealed he may very well be the type of person who would attempt to bend the rules of decency for his "friends."

In a goodbye message on his campaign website, Mr. Norris expresses his gratitude to all 300 of his volunteers, and to the people of Ireland for the opportunity. Within the message, he also acknowledges why he made the choice to leave the race.

It turns out that some 14 years ago, Senator David Norris wrote a letter of appeal for clemency to the Israeli government, on behalf of a former lover named Ezra Nawi. Nawi had been convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old boy. The backlash of what many believed to be disregard for Nawi's victim was too much for the candidate's campaign to continue on as planned.

"I do not regret supporting and seeking clemency for a friend," states Norris, who continues "but I do regret giving the impression that I did not have sufficient compassion for the victim of Ezra's crime." According to a report from CNN, Norris held a firm lead in opinion polls. But revelations this past weekend brought pressure against him to quit the race.

Dropping out of the race was the right move, in light of the scandal. Far better of a choice it would have been for the senator to have just told Ezra Nawi to go hang for his crime. David Norris made the decision to consider the feelings of a former lover more important than the welfare of a sex abuse victim. The backlash wrought from a foolish decision on his part has nothing to do with the man being gay. It has everything to do with basic human decency.

About the only thing good to come out of all of this is that he showed the world a gay man can be considered a viable candidate. He proved that the sexual orientation of someone running for government office, might not be as much of a factor to the constituency, as bigots might have us all believe.

David Norris himself admits, in hindsight, he was wrong for asking for clemency, in a case of such a heinous nature. And he's right.