Obama Strongly Denounces Antigay Gospel Singer

[babylonsister]

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/10/obama_strongly_denounces_antigay_gospel_singer.php

Obama Strongly Denounces Antigay Gospel Singer
By Greg Sargent - October 22, 2007, 7:35PM

Barack Obama issues a strongly worded statement denouncing gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, whose planned appearance at an Obama gospel campaign event is getting denounced over his stridently antigay views:

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.

I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

But the question remains, Will he still be doing the event?

[cuke]

1. The question's been answered. McBigot stays on the tour

[illinoisprogressive]

2. Obama has always been strong on civil rights and his record and life bears this out

[Clintonista2]

7. Don't look now, but your desperate hyperbole is showing. nt.

[DURHAM D]

18. I gather -

You don't think "gay" rights are civil rights.

[Baby Snooks]

22. Bullshit

If Obama walked his talk, he would walk away from this event. Walk your talk. Otherwise, it's just bullshit. And this is bullshit.

We really have reached a point in this country where it's either equality for all or for none at all. And as for the fundamentalist African-American Christians who Obama appears to be pandering to in this, apparently they have forgotten what it is to be discriminated against and denied protections and rights under the law or they wouldn't support discriminating against others and denying others protections and rights under the law. Do the bullied feel better when they bully someone else? Apparently so. Praise the Lord!

I got nasty once when someone I had respected up to that point told me that God had cursed homosexuals according to the Bible. I told her I didn't know about that but I knew about the Curse of Ham and it looked to me that if anyone was cursed it was her. Cursed mainly by her ignorance. An ignorance Obama is pandering to.

[NMMNG]

3. He will

http://www.americablog.com/2007/10/breaking-obama-says-wont-pull-anti-gay.html

[cboy4]

5. What a surprise.

:puke:

[NMMNG]

12. No surprise at all

Sadly.

[terrya]

8. What gets me from that post is this:

"PS You know Obama's campaign was fully aware of just who this bigot was - this wasn't a mistake. The bigot has been in the news, a lot, for his virulent homophobia. Obama simply didn't care. And he doesn't care now."

Fuck you, Obama.

[NMMNG]

11. Yep

Obama doesn't really care about GLBT people. He's just giving them occasional lip service as part of his campaign. His true colors are showing now.

[Goblinmonger]

13. And you don't mean "lip service" in the fun way

but in the "fuck you I'm throwing you under the bus" kind of way.

Sorry, Buffy. At least you know where you stand with this guy.

[NMMNG]

14. Indeed

It's ok. The tire tracks from all the previous elections have calloused over and I'm getting pretty tough now. :thumbsup:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. If Donnie McClurkin Really Has Obama's Best Interest At Heart He Would Exempt Himself

Otherwise ,the GLBT community or the conservative, evangelical African American community is going to be offended...

[jefferson_dem]

6. I suspect that's only a matter of time.

One can hope.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. If You Check My Posts I Didn't Join The Bashathon

From a political point of view it would be best for everyone if he just exempted himself...If he stays GLBT folks are going to be offended and if he leaves under pressure conservative evangelical African Americans are going to be offended...

[MuseRider]

16. How would that help?

If Obama does not exempt him it is meaningless. In fact, at this late point I would say for many it is just too late. He was included and never should have been. Obama should know better and if he was unaware then he is not ready to take on the job of President. This is just too fucking important. These are citizens who should never have to go to our party and inform someone running that they are offended. Good grief.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. My Position

If I was running for president I would not affiliate myself with homophobes, anti-semites, racists, or bigots of any stripe...I'd have a zero tolerance policy...

All I'm saying is if he stays GLBT folks are going to be rightfully offended...If he goes under pressure, conservative African American evangelicals are going to be offended...

It's a dilemma for Obama...But if he's a leader he'll figure out what to do...

[MuseRider]

20. If he is a leader

then he could use this to make a very strong statement for equality. I don't see him doing that because he has said in the past that he has trouble with marriage for same sex couples. I don't really follow him, he gives good speeches and makes people feel really good but other than that I think he is empty and certainly not ready for prime time. Feel free to disagree, I am really not trying to be offensive here but trying to make my point that you can't toss one group for another. Sometimes a leader has to say no and educate. JMO

[DURHAM D]

21. What - if he does go the "conservative AA evangelicals

are going to be offended"? With that statement you are suggesting that Obama should pander to hatemongers.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

32. If I Was Obama I'd Cut Him Off But I'm Not Running For President

I reject all forms of bigotry...

All I'm saying is its going to come at a political cost...

[DURHAM D]

34. Well I agree with that.

And, as I posted elsewhere. Obama deciding to pander to a certain demographic would make good political sense.

Just look at the numbers - do we have more gay hating fundies or more gay folk in this country? Pretty much a no-brainer when your campaign is in trouble.

[Grandrose]

31. Exactly....

I am afraid Obama loses both ways.

I would bet most of the AA's want the music and most probably do not know or agree with McClurkin's bigotry, just love his singing of the gospel.

I would bet most of the gay community want total loyalty and could care less that Obama is trying so hard to reach out to AA's wherever they are!

I guess divide and conquer won this time!:-(

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

9. I like what Sen. Obama has to say. Not a lot of ambivalence there.

Is banning Donnie McClurkin essential? I only heard of him yesterday, and have an understanding that he says he's been "cured" of being gay. Is that a fair summation of this performer?

And, why would Mr. McClurkin still want this gig, anyway?

Sen. Obama's supporters, you know who you are, please explain how this helps/hurts the Senator's campaign for one who is not familiar with the event(s) for which this singer will be performing.

I do like what Sen. Obama has to say, though. MKJ

[jefferson_dem]

15. It's a firm, principled statement and reflective of his position on GLBT issues.

But probably not enough to put out the fire...

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

19. Thanks. This is a learning experience for him, for all of us.

It's nice that he didn't waver one iota, and this basically puts it back in Mr. McClurkin's court to respond. MKJ

edited for spelling.

[madrchsod]

26. no it is`t

the guy who set this up( forget his name) should have figured out donnie would not be acceptable because of obama`s clear statements on gay rights .if donnie was a christian like he said he is he would take himself off the tour but i think he is to vain to do so. obama does`t want to alienate either group but what ever decision he makes he will alienate one side or another.

this is a true test on how he handles these kinds issues that divide this country.

[jefferson_dem]

30. Some people say that candidate quality is best determined by how he or she

runs the campaign. This is a massive test for Obama. We'll see how he handles it.

[madrchsod]

39. i`m waiting to see if hillary makes a "big mistake"

[depakid]

23. This whole set of incidents represent the types of rookie mistakes

that many of us predicted- in part from watching some of his statements and actions in the Senate.

[David Zephyr]

24. This is why I did not pile on in any of the earlier Obama threads. I knew he'd do this.

Barack Obama, of all people, does not condone prejudice.

Those that piled on him owe should post their apologies here.

Senator Obama is a friend of the GLBT community. All of our Democrats this time are. And while they may vary in their degree of support, none --- especially Barack --- condones bigotry against the GLBT community.

[Bluebear]

29. Ah, so McClurkin will NOT be performing???

Excellent news!

[cboy4]

33. As far as I know, Obama is going to allow this

person to perform.

Therefore, while I appreciate Obama's words of condemnation, it's almost as though he said them with a wink and a nod if he's not going tell to the guy, "thanks but no thanks."

That's what he needs to do if he wishes to attract the support of gays and lesbians, who for the large part, have been skeptical.

[Bluebear]

35. It's a done deal, and once again gay DUers are being thrown under the bus

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3634480&mesg_id=3634480

[cboy4]

37. Yea. I don't count on my under the bus "road rash" to heal

anytime soon with this candidate.

[Bluebear]

38. It's usually much closer to election time when we start getting ignored and blamed.

Go figure!

[okamichan13]

36. Do what?

looks like he didn't do anything at all. He didn't denounce the person or remove him from the tour. He denounced his "views".

[Forkboy]

40. David, Obama is now the one who owes people an apology.

I'm sure he's been sandbagged by this story this afternoon, but his response is not a very good one.It boils down to him essentially telling gays that the money/attention this event will draw is more important to him than they are.If he really doesn't condone this thinking (and I do believe that he really doesn't condone it) he needs to more than this.

By not handling this firmly he IS condoning it in a way.That's the problem.If you don't agree with something you fight it, not use it for your own gain while saying you don't agree with it.

I know some here are just running with it because they don't like him, but many are genuinely upset, and they don't owe anyone an apology.

Besides all that though, I hope you're doing well. :)

[David Zephyr]

25. Dupe.

n/t

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

27. Lame statement

Boil it down to what is really being said:

African Americans and LGBT must stand together in fight for equal rights, so I disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views.

The reason he disagrees with McClurkin is in the interest of harmony, not in the interest of any specific concept of gay rights.

Over-thought, over-cautious and ultimately duplicitous BS.

[Bluebear]

28. But is the nutcase homophobe still on the "Embrace the Change!" concert. Senator?

That's the only thing I am interested in.