Andrew Sullivan Calls on Gay Voters to Support Obama

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

Andrew Sullivan writes today:

Urgent And Clear

Gay voters really need to reject the politics of Clintonism and see the opportunity in front of us. My take on gays and Obama here. These breakthrough moments do not come often in the history of civil rights movements. Gay Democrats, Independents and Republicans in Ohio and Texas need to get out and vote for Obama next Tuesday. This opportunity to defeat the politics of fear, cronyism and deception may not come again. A reader writes:

Previous candidates (Democratic, natch; Republicans are still in thrall to the so-called religious right elements that dominate their party processes) have shied away from open support of the GLBT community for fear of offending folks in the primary or general election. They fear that any support they offer will be used against them. This is not so with Obama. Why?

Does he recognize that his base considers this a non-issue? Is it generational? And why hasn't the loony right attacked him on this point? Are they too busy re-orienting themselves to a race without Hillary? I fully expect them to hit him on this issue later, once he's the nominee (I can't wait for next Tuesday!), but he seems unconcerned and non-anxious about his views on this issue. Is this further evidence of a coming post-gay reality? Is the Republican right not screaming "Obama loves fags!" because they sense they can't for some reason? How does this guy seem to be able to transcend so much of the divisive identity-politics bullshit we've had to endure for the last few decades?

Readers know that my admiration for Obama is not rooted in gay issues. But as this campaign has progressed, my belief that this candidate is a game-changer for us has deepened. It is unimaginable to me why a gay voter would turn against easily the most honest, candid and courageous straight national politician on gay rights in recent history. To vote for Clinton at this moment is to fail, in my judgment, to understand the unique opportunity we have. Those of us who have long struggled as Christians and as gay people have a particular reason to embrace a man whose evocation of the Gospels on our behalf has not been replicated anywhere else in American politics. If we do not reciprocate with our support the courage of this man on this subject, we will ultimately be betraying ourselves.

We are the ones we've been waiting for. But he can help.

[Reality Check]

1. No chance. Sorry.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

4. welcome to DU, "Reality Check"

:hi:

[sniffa]

23. He can't answer you

but I'm sure his zombie will in a few hours. He's tenacious like that.

[Bongo Prophet]

33. That was the fastest tombstone I have EVER seen.

Like my first turns at "Dragon's Lair" as a kid.
Dizzying.
But you're right, a zombie will take its place.

[sniffa]

37. I have a hunch it's probably the same zombies

that keep coming back. It's either one, or the other.

[Cha]

42. Wonder what he did to piss off mods

so fast?

[Bongo Prophet]

49. No idea, but as skinner said, they have "info" on where people post from (IP addresses)

So if someone is TSed, then a new poster signs up from the same address, they will have an early heads up.
There are some other tricks too.


Or maybe they just disrupted so poorly as to be obvious?? :shrug:

[Cha]

50. One too many "no chance, sorry"

replies.

[Bongo Prophet]

53. Ahh, So, spamming I guess. Boy I see worse than that every day here.

Sometimes it just hurts to make any sense of it at all.

At least I know you from like, forever.
Don't even tell me who your candidate is, don't wanna know.
Don't wanna know what side you butter your bread on, either.

Just wanna be friends!:hi:

[Reality Check]

2. No chance. Sorry.

[leftofcool]

3. Go away Andrew!

[Blue State Bandit]

5. This is called coalition building! Your endorsment is appreciated!

I have to question why some would feel the need to dismiss Sully. Is it be because he's a republican? Is it because he's gay? Or is it because he's not endorsing Hillary?

[WillParkinson]

Um...no.

You assume too much.

Mr. Obama's cuddling up with "ex-gay" singers, even though he says he does not share the views, left some politically active gay and lesbians disappointed.

Some are just tired of being politically expedient when it comes to our money or our votes, but we're supposed to be happy with staying 2nd class citizens as far as the rewards. It's 2008 and I think some people are just fed up with their treatment from politicians in general, Mr. Obama in particular.

[Blue State Bandit]

9. So it's Hillary?

Sorry, I don't know any 2nd class gay Americans.

At least my gay friends have been up front with

me when I ask them who they will support.

Sometimes expedience is the right choice.

That's how civil rights has unfolded in the US;

small steps.

[WillParkinson]

17. If you're asking who I will support...

I did not vote in the primary. I do not support Ms. Clinton or Mr. Obama. I have no real reason to vote for either. When the election comes I will likely hold my nose and vote for them, but their actions to date have done nothing to warrant it. To be honest, I'm simply tired of voting because they have a (D) next to their name. I want substance, I want someone who cares about my family who just happens to be gay. Not someone - either one - who panders to gays because they're a vote and cash but will quickly be forgotten when they take the White House.

[Blue State Bandit]

21. I understand, thank you.

This is an example of an honest answer.

I hope to see the change that you seek,

and hope that you are willing to step up

and fight for it yourself.

Peace.

[Booster]

34. Yep. That's pretty much how I feel too. What gay person in

their right mind would listen to Sullivan? I mean, really.

[Blue State Bandit]

38. I honestly know a few, quite a few.

Three old repubs, and two that find him tolerable.

[Booster]

41. Well, there ya go. Why in Hell would any gay person even

consider being a Republican? Ask your gay Republican friends what the party has EVER done for them. I'd really like to know their answer.

[Blue State Bandit]

43. These are rich constituents of Arlen Spector.

[dsc]

35. It is the simple fact that Sullivan is a slimy hypocrite of the highest order

He is one of the individuals most responsible for the fact we don't have universal health care (he wrote a dishonest piece at TNR which was the blue print of Harry and Louise), he loudly condemned both gays and Bill Clinton for irresponsible and promiscuious behavior all the while he was having bare back (condomless) sex while knowing he was HIV positive, and he has even argued against employment protection for gays all the while living in states where he couldn't be fired for being gay. He could take out full page ads for Hillary from now until the end of the world and he would still be a slimy piece of filth.

[gaspee]

6. Sullivan? Gimme a break

The guy is a sycophant of the worst kind. Gah, what a tool!

Still haven't decided on my vote on Tuesday. But it won't be for Obama, that's for sure.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

8. Pam Spaulding: Obama's Campaign Reaches Out to LGBT Community

Call Pam Spaulding a sycophant.

Pam Spaulding: Obama's Campaign Reaches Out to LGBT Community (Alternet)
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/78162/

[gaspee]

15. I'm talking about Sullivan

The guy has no original thought. He's a trend following ass-kisser and always has been. I don't like him. I responded to the post about him, not to a post about Pam Spaulding. I can have a different opinion about someone than she does and still respect her. That does not seem to be a two-way street with a lot of Obama supporters.

My vote does not depend on what other people do. I make up my own mind. And when I met Obama in person, at a small fundraiser for Whitehouse back in '06, I did not like him. Before then, I thought he should run for president. Afterward, I wouldn't vote for him for dog catcher.

I will not vote for Obama.

I still think Sullivan is about the worst sycophant there is in all of punditry. Worse than Tweety, even.

[anigbrowl]

7. If you disagree, why not offer your reasons?

'No way' or 'go away' certainly expresses your feelings, but it's hardly convincing to anyone sitting on the sidelines who'd like to know more about the issue.

From an outside (ie largely straight) perspective, it seemed to me that Obama misstepped badly with the Donnie McClurkin incident - and yes, I noticed it at the time just by reading the news. It made me feel quite uncomfortable. After he distanced himself from McClurkin's views and added Alan Sidden to the event, I felt Obama and his campaign had realized their mistake and done enough to address it. Now, that's easy for me to say - I'm largely straight, and while I have a lot of gay friends and live in San Francisco it's just not an emotional issue for me the way it is for a lot of LGBT people.

On the other hand, discussion of the issue since then seems to center solely on McClurkin - if you were judging by posts at DU, you would barely know about anything else. Without disputing the significance of that mistake, how many, or what kind of, positive things does Obama have to do to make it up to people who were offended by that? This is a request for information rather than an expression of frustration. I'm curious about how many LGBT people on the let would like to resolve it and move on to other issues vs. how many feel it's a dead end for them and they're going to be in opposition until November or maybe for one or two presidential terms.

I'm not researching it on behalf of the campaign or anything, I am just personally curious.

[IndianaGreen]

11. If Sullivan had endorsed Hillary, the OP would be singing his praises

There is a pattern here!

[anigbrowl]

28. The OP seemed 100% neutral. I was talking about the first few replies.

I was just hoping to hear a more nuanced discussion of the issue so I could learn more about it.

[ruggerson]

47. Here are my reasons anigbrowl

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4826450

[anigbrowl]

48. Thanks, that was interesting. /nt

[theHandpuppet]

10. I don't get my voting advice from Log Cabin Repukes

Here's another GLBT vote for Hillary Clinton.

[ExtraGriz]

12. He lost my vote base on his GLBT rhetoric. n/t

[ThatPoetGuy]

13. Wow, what a load of bull.

First -- and I don't like saying this -- "the most honest, candid and courageous straight national politician on gay rights in recent history" was actually a Republican. Rudy Giuliani, despite his psycho approach to world affairs and his Orwellian authority-lovin', wanted gays to have legal marriages; he even wanted to preside at the ceremony for two of his male friends.

Hillary, and Obama, and Edwards, all addressed the issue through the lens of their religion, and none of them took the kind of bold stance I'd like to see. Obama was the worst of them, by far.

A quick reminder: Obama toured the south with Donnie McClurkin, who sang songs and spread anti-gay sentiment at Obama's rallies. Here's McClurkin, talking about "The Gays": "The gloves are off and if there’s going to be a war, there’s going to be a war. But it will be a war with a purpose? I'm not in the mood to play with those who are trying to kill our children." The gays are trying to kill our children. Uh huh.

Obama allowed McClurkin to spread his message to THOUSANDS of people, again and again, even AFTER the gay community had called him on it. Obama never refuted McClurkin's notion that gays are sick and need to be cured. His response performed verbal acrobatics to make certain that he didn't offend the vicious fag-bashers.

Another performer on his tour was Erica Campbell. Talking about gays, she said, "They have issues and need somebody to encourage them like everybody else - just like the murderer, just like the one full of pride, just like the prostitute, everybody needs God." The gays are like murderers, sinners, and prostitutes. And they need to be saved. Uh huh.

Obama didn't fire her either. He didn't issue an apology for allowing her to spread her message to thousands.

No, the one Obama fired, was Rev. Sidden. He was pro-gay. Obama's campaign issued a formal apology for allowing Sidden to speak at his rally.

As it stands, hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to agents of hate and intolerance, and Barack Obama exposed them to this, and he didn't apologize for it. He apologized for exposing them to an agent of love and acceptance.

As it stands, thousands of Obama's supporters shifted their notions of what's right and what's wrong, in order to blind themselves to the horrifying actions. Obama's supporters are now more tolerant of homophobia than they were before. Things that would have offended them if Bush had done them, are just fine now; many of Obama's supporters are worse people for looking the other when when confronted with real, serious homophobia.

[Duncan Grant]

22. This is one of those "I wish I could recommend your post" moments.

Superbly stated, thanks! :thumbsup:

[cali]

25. I hate lies

the McClurkin thing was bad enough but this is a blatant falsehood:

"A quick reminder: Obama toured the south with Donnie McClurkin.."

Bzzzzt. Obama never appeared on a stage with McClurkin. And McClurkin appeared at one Obama rally. Now, I deplore that. I don't excuse it, but I still hate lies. And I'm not too partial to people who tell them.

[ThatPoetGuy]

29. No, you love lies.

And you're telling them. You are wrong -- McClurkin appeared at many rallies, not just one. Either you're lying about that, or you've been lied to.

McClurkin appeared at rallies even after the gay community had gone into an uproar over his earlier hate speech. At one of Obama's rallies, he responded to the gay community's uproar over his previous appearances by saying, “Don't call me a bigot or anti-gay when I have suffered the same feelings." He continued, "God delivered me from homosexuality."

This is a hideous message to send to young people, and Donnie McClurkin spread this message AT OBAMA'S RALLIES.

You're not EXACTLY lying about them appearing on the same stage, but you're being wildly dishonest. Obama taped a video introduction for McClurkin. He gushed about his: "my favorite" and "the best," he said on video.

You owe me an apology. You accused me of lying, when in fact you were wrong on one count and wildly dishonest on the other.

[cali]

30. If I owed you an apology I'd have no problem giving you one

but I don't. So I won't. And I stand by what I wrote. Deal with it, dear. YOU claimed that Obama was on stage with Obama. He wasn't. And you haven't shown that McClurkin did more than that one event.

I agree that Obama made a callous and bad judgment. I've said that many times. I don't try and excuse it.

[ThatPoetGuy]

32. I didn't say he appeared on-stage with him --

and your argument is completely, totally dishonest anyway. Appearing on-stage in person vs. appearing on-stage via a video recording where Obama praised McClurkin to the skies is a minuscule difference.

I'd be willing to bet you were A LOT more honest before you started supporting Obama. You wouldn't have engaged in that kind of deliberate deception before this season, would you? Because the argument you're making is completely and totally dishonest. You sound like Donald Rumsfeld.

Cognitive dissonance is brutal. I hope there is some honesty left in you when this campaign is over.

[SIMPLYB1980]

26. Great post.

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. How is ole bareback mountain doing these days?

[Metric System]

16. Detractors in the gay community also refer to him as Milky Loads.

[kdpeters]

18. Andrew Sullivan? Puhleeze!!!

Gay Obama supporter here, but not one who's not willing to latch onto every hack that just happens to agree with me. Andrew Sullivan? No freaking thanks. Who cares what he has to say one way or another?

[JVS]

19. Andrew Sullivan, the neocon? Who listens to him?

[flyarm]

20. tell Andrew he needs to talk to SF Mayor Gavin Newsom..pronto..

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/02/29/as-god-is-my-witness-obama-snubs-newsom-gays/#more-1662

[AX10]

51. Sully hasn't seen this:

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/02/29/as-god-is-my-witness-obama-snubs-newsom-gays/#more-1662

Sully is but another right wing nut. The less we hear from him, the better.

[Rageneau]

24. Another wingnut for Barack!

Soon, there will be as many right-wing conservatives supporting Obama as there are left-wing liberals.

Some people think that signifies something good.

I see it as something out of the Book of the Revelation.

[cliffordu]

52. Is this a reference to neo-nazi religionists calling Obama the Antichrist??

:puke:

[nonconformist]

27. Andrew Sullivan is a conservative, of course he supports Obama. nt

[joeybee12]

31. Let's see, the most vocal gay supporter of the Iraq war is now...

...the best person to give advice on whom gay people should vote for.

[Maribelle]

36. But Andrew, do you think Obama would have his picture taken with you ?

“As God Is My Witness”: Obama Snubs Newsom, Gays

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/02/29/as-god-is-my-witness-obama-snubs-newsom-gays/

This newspaper ad has gone “viral” in the gay community, across the nation. Below, from the original San Francisco Chronicle article. First, The Advocate story, “Obama Snubbed Newsom During S.F.’s Gay Marriage Fight,” on a tumultuous time for San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom and for the gay community — and that now infamous snub by Barack Obama (anyone care to speculate why the snub?), confirmed firsthand by former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown:

[MagsDem]

39. Not if he was the last dem in the world -- esp if Sully thinks I should

[NMMNG]

40. Bareback Andy?

Like anything he says can be taken seriously. :eyes:

[jlake]

44. If Andrew Sullivan thinks it's a good idea it must be!

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[ruggerson]

45. Not during the primaries, Andrew

n/t

[closeupready]

46. I hate when people here link to people like Sullivan and Dowd and Paglia. Cut from the same cloth,

every last one. Narcissistic blathering garbage-spewers.

That said, as a gay man, I've decided to support Obama, but please stop linking to endorsements from Republicans. I guess it's sort of interesting, but you never know what their agenda is, if they are misleading readers or what.