I am honored to join the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) Advisory Board on the eve of the Perry vs. Schwarzenegger trial, which challenges the federal constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8.

I am humbled that my name appears alongside civil rights legend Julian Bond, and the likes of Cleve Jones and Judy Shepard, whose personal sacrifice for equal rights in this battle is well known. I don’t pretend that my experience in the fight for civil rights is equal to theirs. I’m joining this effort as a representative of a new generation of Republicans whose conservatism consistently emphasizes individual freedom and recognizes the constitutional right of all Americans to marry.

Marriage equality is a constitutionally protected right owed to all Americans, as Ted Olson and David Boies will begin to argue in federal court tomorrow. I applaud AFER for recognizing that that marriage equality should not be a partisan issue and for building a coalition that aims represents the full diversity of America.

For those in my own party who question my conservatism because I support marriage equality, I remind you of comments made by Vice President Cheney, whose conservative credentials are impeccable and who answered a question about gay marriage before the National Press Club audience on June 1st last year by saying simply, “…freedom means freedom for everyone.”

Here is my post on FoxNews.com in support of marriage equality.

LANDSLIDE – A Portrait of President Herbert Hoover will premiere on PBS nationwide tonight, Monday, October 26 at 10:00 P.M. ET/ 9:00 P.M. CT.

This documentary explores the facts and fictions behind the presidency of Herbert Hoover including The Great Depression and its lasting impact on government. The program also explores the role of the Federal Reserve and monetary policy during the Hoover presidency and into the early years of FDR. Hoover’s early life abroad, the international experiences that led to his decision to run for office, Hoover’s presidency and political philosophy, and the lasting impact of his policy decisions made during and after the depression are also presented. Along with the depression, “Herbert Hoover: Landslide” provides detailed discussion of the 1927 Mississippi flood, the 1928 election campaign, monetary and agricultural policies throughout the Hoover presidency, the Bonus March and the 1932 presidential election. Interview subjects include several notable scholars such as David Kennedy, Amity Shlaes, Robert Reich, Tim Egan and Timothy Walch.  Yours truly also appears.

Landslide will aslo air on KQED airtimes below (check your local listings for more times):

KQED 9HD

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 — 11:00 pm

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 — 5:00 am

KQED Life

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 — 10:00 pm

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 — 4:00 am

KQED World

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 — 9:00 am

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 — 12:00 pm

Timothy Walch, director of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, reflects on the the deep friendship between Herbert Hoover and Joe Kennedy, at the passing of his daughter Eunice in The Quad-City Times.

I asked her why it was so important that she visit West Branch. “My father told me many times,” she said, “that Herbert Hoover was the smartest man he ever met and I wanted to pay my respects to the person who meant so much to my father.”

Joseph Kennedy and Herbert Hoover were kindred spirits. Over nearly two decades, they met numerous times and exchanged dozens of letters. They commiserated about the war policies of the Roosevelt administration and worked together to reorganize the executive branch of the federal government. On occasion, they simply reveled in the success of their children.