Important question: Have the other Democratic candidates criticized Obama's working with McClurkin?

[wndycty]

As this controversy goes into another day its important to put it into context as it relates to the big picture of the campaign and which candidate is disrespecting the gay community.

As an Obama supporter I will reiterate my disappointment that he has included McClurkin in his campaign and even though Obama has condemned his words he has yet to dump him. However given the shit storm Obama has deservedly endured here on DU, most of which is driven by supporters of other candidates, I want to know if any of the other candidates have condemned Obama for working with McClurkin? If not, why not?

I actually couldn't take issue with another candidate who has the high moral ground or at least the judgement to condemn Obama.

What should we make of it if none of them speak out?

Would their silence be seen as a tacit endorsement of Obama's action, if so should he be the only one who draws everybody's ire on this issue?

[incapsulated]

1. No, because...

They know if anyone investigated everyone they associated with they would be called hypocrites.

This is still Obama's problem, though. Because, even though a FEW other supporters are enjoying this and pouring gasoline on the fire, he really did offend some of his own supporters, here.

[wndycty]

3. I agree its Obama's problem, however . . .

. . .I would think that those who support other candidates and are sincerely outraged over this would expect those candidates to strongly condemn this action. If they don't do so wouldn't all of us be justified in questioning why not?

[Colobo]

2. They haven't and they won't because they know

Obama hasn't done anything wrong.

[wndycty]

5. No, Obama is my guy and he is wrong as hell on this. . .

. . .Obama needs to hold himself to a higher standard, and as his supporters we need to hold them to a higher standard. My dad has a saying "don't be as bad as everyone else, be better." Its one of the most important sayings he has ever shared with me.

[Colobo]

10. Donnie McWhatever, sadly, represents

the views of a, I would say, majority of Christians across the nation. Those views are wrong as hell, but to pretend that firing McWhatever addresses the true problem of this is ridiculous.

If we want to dialogue with fundies, and we should, we should be ready to deal with people like this. Running away from them won't solve jack.

[wndycty]

15. Yeah but the statement he should make is. . .

. . .I don't believe you need to embrace bigotry to reach the hearts of true Christians.

[incapsulated]

8. I disagree

This is wrong, it is wrong when ANYONE does it.

Your guy got caught doing it.

No one is untouchable.

When people found out about Hillary taking money from nasty people, she was torn up here. Is she the only one?

[mitchtv]

4. Well I guess Hillary will not condemn a moneymaker

never can tell about the others. Right now, I'd say they are hoping it will all blow over. As for HIllary's supporters being behind it? sure along with everyone else's supporters. Obama's supporters have not gained much good will in the last several months,

[rurallib]

6. I admit my stupidity. Who is McClurkin

I Googled McClurkin and all I got was some gospel singer. Is that McClurkin? If so, why is it so bad?

[wndycty]

9. Yes it is, he has made several homophobic comments . . .

. . .and he claims to be a former homosexual.

[rurallib]

14. So is supporting Obama or something?

And is Obama sucking it up?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

7. Of course not. It would b bad politics. Though Edwards has been getting twitchy lately...

[wndycty]

12. Bad politics? They would be speaking on out behalf of civil rights. . .

. . .speaking out on behalf of civil rights should never ever be considered bad politics, especially when it comes to the progressive vote.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

11. They'd be fair game themselves if they did

Politicians have incidental associations with all kinds of people. Look how quickly Hillary Clinton's connection to another bigoted preacher was revealed. Not one of them could withstand the scrutiny of every single person who has campaigned for them or given them money.

That's why I think this thing with Obama is such a tempest in a teapot. I seriously doubt Obama had a personal hand in putting that show together and I also doubt he was aware of the guy's views. Now, he's in a conundrum where he either offends the gay community, or he offends the community who are fans of that jerkwad's music. I think the statement he made rejecting McClurkin's homophobia was perfect.

[wndycty]

13. I feel he has to go further

:kick:

[sampsonblk]

16. They'd all love to be in Obama's shoes

This tour is a great idea and Obama stands to gain a great deal from it. Obama hasn't done anything wrong.

[DURHAM D]

19. Well, one thing he will lose completely is support

in the gay community. I assume that was a calculated loss on Obama's part he was willing to live with.

He needs the fundie homophobic demographic to step up and improve his numbers and there are more of them then gay people. It is a good political decision - he had to pick one or the other.

[Ethelk2044]

20. Not all. My friend still plans on voting for him. She knows

Donnie's views is not Obama's views. But of course that is common sense.

[sampsonblk]

21. I doubt there was much calculation

He's a black man campaigning for president. If he can't tap into the black church, he has no hope. He has to do it, and he has to do unapologetically.

[Nedsdag]

23. The gay community's options are quite limited

if they stay away from Obama.

Well, there's Kucinich; however, according to the "pundits," he can't win.

[ecstatic]

17. I just realized from someone's post that this anger goes back to the debate where Biden brought up

AIDS testing. People are so wanting to believe that Obama must be homophobic, because he's black, and we all know that blacks are homophobic. :sarcasm:

[incapsulated]

18. yeah, I'm sick of hearing that crap myself

Yes, the black church has issues with this. So does the white church, though.

Here is the difference, members of a black church will often vote for a democrat, even though they disagree with gay rights issues.

[madrchsod]

22. hillary has no room to say anything

because she also has a problem with a minister,i think edwards is "conflicted" about some of the gay rights issues,and not sure about the rest. i think obama`s staff made a big mistake and i have no way of knowing if obama knew of donnie`s views and i`m sure his staff meeting was`t very pleasant. although i think his response was tepid i`m not sure if he could do any better..it`s the dammed if you do and dammed if you don`t.
if anything good comes out of this mess is that we will see how obama and company can handle divisive issues such as these that divide this country

[wndycty]

24. kick

:kick:

[Grandrose]

25. The other candidates are loving it!

Who do you think is fanning the flames and will not let it rest?
However....this storm is nothing compared to the general election and the presidency and will show what he is made of! Politics is not for the faint of heart.
:-(

[Sandaasu]

27. The LGBT community?

Sure, there's a few talking about it who are just shilling for the others, but this outrage is mostly from those of us who have been marginalized by this action.

Obama supporters would so well so stop assuming that the outrage over this is faked. We're upset enough at their candidate already without his fans telling us that we don't exist.

The other candidates may enjoy what comes of it, but they don't have to do a damn thing to reap the benefits.

[Grandrose]

31. I thought the question was about other candidates?

My response had absolutely nothing to do with the LGBT community!
I am really getting sick and tired of people telling Obama supporters what to do!
If you have a problem with Obama, find someone else that's what primaries are for.

[calteacherguy]

26. I'm a Clinton supporter, but I think you are being too hard on Obama.

In my judgment, he has handled this correctly. I don't see it as "working" with him, and I don't think Democrats should exclude folks with misguided views. We ought to firmly state our own views and why we disagree, but not shut people out. That's the only way progress can be made. Isn't that what the "politics of hope" is supposed to be about?

I am not disappointed in Obama over this, but then again I'm not one who believes in guilt by association.

[rinsd]

28. This appears to be a netroots fight vs. candidates taking shots at each other (nt)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

29. This Is An Empirical Observation Not A Normative One

The only reason the other Dems are keeping their powder dry is because you don't interrupt your opponent when he's shooting himself in the foot...

It's the same reason the Dems kept quiet about Larry Craig...

That's politics...

[wndycty]

30. Do the other candidates, many of who are supported by many of. . .

...Obama's harshest DU critics, have the high moral ground on this issue or might they be vulnerable as well and hopefull that this does damage to Obama and blows over before they end up in some hot water as well?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

32. I Have Scrupulously Avoided The Obama Bashathon

I think electing an African American president would be a redemptive moment for this nation... Interestingly enough the only campaigns I have contributed to are John Edwards' and Barack Obama's campaign...

I got drawn to the Hillary Clinton campaign because of all the bashing she takes here...It reminded me of the Clinton era... Maybe I see the Clinton era through rose colored glasses but I sure remember them fondly...

Back to the present issue... This could have happened to any candidate...Unfortunately it happened to Barack Obama... If he cans Donnie McLurkin he alienates conservative African American evangelicals... If McLurkin stays the GLBT community is alienated...

Some folks here, including our gay brothers and sisters , are genuinely hurt and offended..However there are some people here who are making political hay out of it...

As I said, it would be best for Senator Obama if Donnnie McLurkin exempted himself...