Obama to address gay rights group

[sabra]

Source: MSNBC/AP

The dinner falls on the eve of Washington's National Equality March

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama plans to address the nation's largest gay rights group this weekend, a person familiar with his schedule said Monday, trying to mollify an uneasy Democratic constituency.

Obama plans to address Saturday's Human Rights Campaign fundraising dinner gala, said the person, an individual familiar with the president's plans. This person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the White House had not yet announced Obama's plans.

The dinner falls on the eve of the National Equality March, expected to draw thousands of gay and lesbian activists to the National Mall. Many have been critical of Obama's slow pace on redeeming campaign promises to end a ban on gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military and pushing tough nondiscrimination policies.
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"Eleven months after his election, he has failed to deliver on any of his commitments to gay Americans, but even worse has been his refusal to engage around these issues," said Richard Socarides, who advised President Bill Clinton's administration on gay and lesbian policy.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33179219/ns/politics-white_house/

[frebrd]

1. Well, I'm absolutely........

underwhelmed!

[IndianaGreen]

2. Obama's deeds must match his lofty words!

People voted for HOPE, not more of the same.

[izquierdista]

20. And that's EXACTLY what they got

Lots, and lots, and lots of hope. And they STILL have hope.

[Fearless]

3. The repealation of DOMA & DADT and the passing of an inclusive ERA...

I'm waiting...

[TheWraith]

6. ERA? I think you mean ENDA. nt

[Fearless]

7. No, an all-inclusive equal rights amendment.

It would also cover ENDA.

[TheWraith]

8. Well, that's not going to happen.

Unless you can show me the list of 34 states that would approve such an amendment.

[Fearless]

9. I said it needs to pass. Do we disagree on that?

[TheWraith]

11. I think I need a hundred million dollars, but it's not going to happen.

I prefer to concentrate on things that are practical, like new SCOTUS justices, legal challenges to and/or legislative repeal of DOMA, etcetera.

[Fearless]

12. I love how much this nation has sold its soul for the quick and easy.

Just because something is challenging does not change how much it is worth fighting for. Equality, to me, is worth fighting for regardless of the difficulty. There are many things we must do that we cannot yet do, but it doesn't change the fact that we still must do them.

[TheWraith]

23. It's not a matter of "difficult." It's a matter of "impossible."

There is no way in hell that you'd get 34 state legislatures to ratify a constitutional amendment guaranteeing gay people equality. It's what engineers call a self-defeating criterion: the point at which it becomes possible is the point at which it's no longer necessary or relevant. The amount of time and energy is better expended in other areas, such as fighting Prop 1 in Maine, or lobbying congresscritters on the repeal of DOMA. Despite how you want to characterize anyone not on your side, intelligently applying our efforts and resources is not "selling out."

[Fearless]

24. I'm well aware of constitutional process...

I'm not saying that there aren't other things we need to do as well, but we must keep in mind that our goal is equal rights. Isn't it?

[ZombieHorde]

4. Pres. Obama still has a chance to redeem himself on this issue. nt

[TheWraith]

5. Obama being bashed by the gay and lesbian advisor to the DOMA president?

That's rich.

[firedupdem]

21. +1

Doesn't make any sense.

[shadowknows69]

10. Another spineless bone thrown?

[closeupready]

13. Yep. We've all been here before.

I'm not impressed.

[justiceischeap]

14. This smells like testing the waters before an official announcement is made

Have an "anonymous" source say he'll be attending the HRC dinner, test the temperature of the reactions, then make the final decision as to whether or not he'll be there.

I bet ya he passes on it.

[ej510]

15. I hope I am wrong, but he won't do anything about equal rights for the

LGBT community, because it is politically inconvenient.

[justiceischeap]

18. Isn't it always? (n/t)

[tomm2thumbs]

16. getting a mention on Saturday Night Live about his list of 'yet to be done' items didn't hurt

this might go the same way as the Olympics did - all talk and no reaction

[t0dd]

17. I hope he reminds us what a fierce advocate he is

:sarcasm:

[foxfeet]

19. Thus far, Michelle's shoes have demonstrated more fierceness.

[Doctor_J]

22. At last gays are being treated as equals

he's disappointed the anti-war constituency, the pro-health care constituency, the pro-worker constituency...

[justiceischeap]

25. That's about as far as we are being treated as equals at this point n/t