Barak Obama and Donnie McClurkin: A Campaign-Stopping Issue?
Posted by: Scott at 8:50 am in Elections, GLBT, PoliticsThere’s been a lot of buzz in the blogosphere about Barak Obama’s refusal to disavow himself from Donnie McClurkin, a preacher who claims homosexuality can be cured. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) even weighed in on the issue by expressing its strong reservations to Obama over his campaign-sponsored tour that features gospel singer McClurkin. They said they would issue a public demand if Obama did not immediately cancel the event. Some in the GLBT community and the left have accused the HRC and others of creating a dilemma for Obama’s campaign that could blow-up and threaten to derail it.
So my question to you: who is right?
I’m taking HRC’s side in this one. Obama’s commitment to the GLBT community has always seemed suspect to me, and this just reinforces that opinion. If his campaign doesn’t get why we would be offended by someone who says we need to be "cured", then it shows how out of touch he is with us. Obama and all the candidates need to take a firm stance on GLBT issues. If they want our support in the upcoming election, they need to show a commitment to our issues. You’re either with us or you’re not. You can’t be saying you support equality for the GLBT community and then be making appearances with someone like Donnie McClurkin.
Sorry Obama, you can’t have it both ways.
There’s only one candidate that I know of currently who isn’t afraid to come out in unwavering and unapologetic support of GLBT issues: Dennis Kucinich. Maybe if more candidates would grow a set of balls like him (with apologies to Hillary for the choice of words), then there wouldn’t be so much indifference among the public.
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Ohhhhhhh noooooooooo. Barack O’Boyfriend? Are you sure? Cripes!
I’ve not been a fan of Obama from the beginning, nothing I could put my finger on, but just a general unease. This pushes me further towards Edwards or Clinton, with Kucinich being the candidate we *wish* could get the nomination.
Well written Scott and I agree with you, the Democrats have got to start showing a commitment to LGBT issues is they want our continued support.
As to growing a set of balls, I’m sure Hillary has a bigger set than most of the Republican candidates so I doubt apologies are necessary.
It’s a really tricky spot for Barack Obama. Because of the central role that hope plays in his campaign, he has to be careful not to fall away from creating the energy and enthusiasm that has become his stock and trade. But if he falls short here and there…he’s in trouble. The power of hope is such that if people think theirs is misplaced in a leader, it’s a big fall from grace. If he’s going to use hope as an organizing notion he cannot pick and choose — cannot simply walk back mistakes like this.
I am underwhelmed with most of the Democratic lot. I mean, almost any of them are zillion times more competent and capable than the GOP “pygmies” (Newt’s own term). But I swear I think they - certainly Obama, anyway - are totally controlled by these stupid consultants. People like the ones who ran Gore’s and Kerry’s campaign, who hail from the dark ages (mentally) and wouldn’t know how to stand for principle if there was a one-step diagram telling them how to do it.
So with them it’s always, “move rightward and cater to the gay-haters”
Blech.
It’s going to be a long season.
It’s unfortunate that so many of the consultant’s solution is to become timid. I don’t quite understand it, honestly. If the very quality of bold leadership and speaking to people’s concerns is what gave you life as a candidate why would you forsake that and become small and mild.
For Obama to keep hold of hope as his mantra he’s going to have to avoid becoming timid.
I read an interesting comment from someone on Joe.My.God. He pointed out that an elected-official has to listen to the concerns and views of all people, not just the people he or she agrees with. Certainly Obama has to take into account the perspective of the religious conservative black community. However, I think he should be able to do that without using the services of a professed “ex-gay” who spouts anti-gay rhetoric.
I too was never fully on board the Obama Express, and now I’m even more certain that his train will leave town without me on it.
To me it’s the same situation as Rudy hiring the pedophile priest. Obama says that he doesn’t agree w/McClurkin’s views but when he stands on the same stage, thanks him for his support and keeps him on this tour then Obama is just paying lip service.
And sorry, Scott but to me Kucinich comes across as pompous, arrogant ass.
Bossy agrees with everyone about the Consultant crap. It’s so easy to see that as a campaign picks up momentum (and begins to catch sight of the finish line) all the candidate’s innermost truths and values and beliefs and judgments fall away.
But you can’t excuse the candidate for believing the consultant - no siree - and you’re either a part of the problem or a part of the solution.
This still is making Bossy sad.
I think you are right when you say Obama you can’t have it both ways. I really do think the LGBT community needs to wake up and see that these people like Obama are not on our side. I think the quicker the LGBT community figures this out the better we will be in the long run. candidates like Clinton and Obama don’t deserve our vote. And voting for them is doing a disservice to ourselves.
I talk about this in a few separate posting on my own blog, regarding both the behavior of Democrats and homosexuals. I suggest that at least one of the groups’ behaviors is disgraceful (and a choice).
I am sure there are more important issues in this country then who Obama lets sing on his stage. It would be difficult to have a religious gathering without having people who share Donnie’s beliefs. Do the Gays think that Obama should exclude one group to please them. Donnie is not spreading hatred of Gays. He is just giving his belief and telling his experience as he sees it. There are bigger issues then who someone is sleeping with or living with. I am African American so I know about prejudice and hatred. I have learned to not take everything personal and not throw out the baby with the bath water.
I am not an Obama supporter but I don’t think he should be judged by who he lets sing in a Gospel concert. He has clearly given his stand on Gays by his actions. He supports Gay rights and had made it perfectly clear. His voting record speaks for itself. His stand will probably lose him votes but he is still fighting for Gays who don’t even appreciate it. They would rather judge him by someone else’s opinions and actions. If any candidate excludes one group they might as well pack it in. He can’t help anyone if he isn’t elected.