Shameful: Gay rights group endorses Republican Mark Kirk over Democrat Tammy Duckworth

[LiberalArkie]

In a move that is as appalling as it is embarrassing, the Human Rights Campaign, which styles itself as the largest LGBT civil rights group in the country, has endorsed Republican Sen. Mark Kirk for re-election. This decision is both pathetic and stupid on two levels.

Most immediately, Kirk's record on gay rights is far weaker than that of his Democratic opponent, Rep. Tammy Duckworth—according to no less an authority than HRC itself. In 2013-14, Kirk earned just a 78 percent score on HRC's report card, and in 2009-10, he managed an atrocious 39 percent. (Kirk has no rating for 2011-12, presumably because he missed many votes while recovering from a stroke.) By contrast, Duckworth, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, notched a perfect 100 percent in 2013-14. In what universe does it make sense for an advocacy group to support the candidate who is unambiguously worse on their key issues?

There's also a much broader problem: If you help Mark Kirk remain in office, you're helping Mitch McConnell cling to his job as majority leader. And if the GOP retains the Senate, do you think for a second they'll allow, say, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to come up for a vote? Of course they won't. HRC isn't this dumb, but its leaders ure are acting like it.

There's a shameful reason for this rank idiocy, though.


Snip

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/3/21/1504481/-Shameful-Gay-rights-group-endorses-Republican-Mark-Kirk-over-Democrat-Tammy-Duckworth


Please note: This was posted in GD-P and was locked as being off-topic. I was told to repost it in GD
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511545584

[Doctor_J]

1. They also endorsed Clinton over Sanders

Either their leadership's become arch conservative, or they are on the take

[hfojvt]

7. the post pointed out that they ARE on the take

The reason they made the endorsement, according to DKos is to make themselves look like a bipartisan organization and keep donations coming from rich gay Republicans.

It's fiendishly clever though.

Because they have to know that their endorsement one way or the other is NOT going to make one bit of difference in a state like Illinois where Duckworth should be a heavy favorite.

[TheDormouse]

2. another thread is at:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511545886

[Aerows]

10. I lost the plot over this.

I hope everyone will excuse me for being rancid, caustic and completely lacking subtlety due to how angry it made me.

[MagickMuffin]

3. Sounds as though they are trying to persuade voters

to vote against their best interests. Where have I seen this before?

[scscholar]

5. I got this one!

The Republican voters!

[DemocraticWing]

4. HRC hasn't been representative of the LGBTQ community in a long time, if ever.

If there's any good in this, it's that more people will see through them.

[LostOne4Ever]

6. This is beyond shameful

[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4 color=#009999]The Human Rights Campaign has played politics with LGBTQ issues over and over.

From throwing Transgender issues under the bus to endorsing people and republicans with WORSE records on LGBTQ+ issues over those who have done far more for the LGBTQ+ community, they proven themselves to be unworthy of the support they get.[/font]

[Blue_Tires]

8. Emoprog dudebroism run amok

[Aerows]

9. I'm so goddamned mad about this

that I don't have enough words.

[LostOne4Ever]

11. Me too

[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4 color=#009999]It is fucking ridiculous!!!

They freaking supported the WORSE of the two candidates! There is no excuse for that![/font]

[sinkingfeeling]

12. Dropping my HRC membership.

[alarimer]

13. Scratch another group from my donation list. n/t