From Mydd: Is HRC giving HRC a pass?

[illinoisprogressive]

Is HRC Giving HRC a Pass?

by horizonr, Wed Oct 24, 2007 at 04:24:36 PM EST

Following is the text of the email letter I sent to the Human Rights Campaign, after reading the news this morning that the HRC has threatened
the Obama campaign that it will publicly denounce Obama if he does not disinvite black gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin from singing in
his upcoming gospel concert series in South Carolina:

You're Threatening Obama Now? (subject line)

This is unspeakably short-sighted and counterproductive.

I've always admired and supported the work of the Human Rights Campaign, But do you honestly believe that any other candidate in this race has
greater potential than Barack Obama to move this country further along the path toward being a pro-diversity society -- a society that creates more
acceptance and opportunity for everyone, including lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people?

I urge you in the strongest possible terms to take a deep breath, then take a good, long look at the forest -- instead of the trees.

Of course, if you insist on going down this misguided path, you might consider exercising a little fairness in the matter.

Ever hear of Harold Mayberry? He's a black preacher, too. Like Donnie McClurkin. And he uses his giant 2,800-member Oakland, California, pulpit
to preach against homosexuality.

When asked about this in 2004, Mayberry gave the classic "love the sinner, hate the sin" defense:

I'm comfortable in what I believe in. I'm not rejecting people. As God loves, we love. I don't reject thieves, I reject thievery.

But just this past August, Hillary Clinton met with Mayberry and thanked him for his "commitment to fighting for civil rights and equality."

Ever hear of Darrell Jackson? Another black preacher. Like Donnie McClurkin. In South Carolina. Like Donnie McClurkin. He's a State Senator, too.
And a political consultant. Busy guy.

In fact, just after Jackson endorsed Clinton in February, he admitted that he's also negotiated a $10,000-a-month consulting contract with
her campaign.

Turns out Jackson's not a big fan of gay people, either. Although Jackson abstained from voting on a 2005 bill for a constitutional amendment
banning same-sex marriage in South Carolina -- two of Clinton's South Carolina co-chairs, John Matthews and Linda Short, voted for the
bill -- he indicated in remarks on the Senate floor that an amendment was a moot point, since most people in South Carolina -- himself
included -- already opposed same-sex marriage.

Now, we know how we feel on this issue, and I've allowed my position to be known more than anybody else. I stand here
as someone who is a pastor to a congregation of a whole lot of people, and I've said it to them and I'll say it to anyone else.
My personal moral position is what I believe and what I subscribe to. I don't have to come here and try to legislate it...There
is little doubt in this body what will ultimately happen with that issue. That is a forgone conclusion.

How many times do you think Jackson has uttered -- or will utter -- anti-gay sentiments while Clinton is paying him?

Are you going to publicly denounce Hillary Clinton for her association with -- and endorsement by -- these people?

Or is she getting a pass, because she's "your girl"?

Please think before you act. Nobody's hands are clean here.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/10/24/162436/74

[flpoljunkie]

1. HRC is definitely giving HRC a pass, and yes, "she is definitely their girl." K&R!

[cuke]

2. I'm a Clinton supporter

I am not very familiar with those two preachers or what their affiliation with the Clinton campaign is. However, I will say that if they are homophobes (and Jackson's quote doesn't do it for me) and Hillary does have ANY sort of ongoing affiliation with them (especially if one of thems making money off this) I will not be arguing that "XXXX does it too" (like this thread), or "It OK" or "You're only offended because you support the other candidate"

It is wrong to support hate. I won't do it and I will take action when I see it

[elizm]

7. I'm from SC and I can tell you...

Jackson was bought and paid for by the Clintons months ago. Everything Illinoisprogressive is saying is true. Just do some googling and you can find out for sure. If I have time I will google it for you!

[cuke]

11. I have no problem with "bought and paid for"

When it comes time to get support for a universal health care plan, I want a president who has "bought and paid for" supporters. I want a president who can "twist arms" and "call in favors".

For me the issue is what they have said and done, and what their connection to HRC is.

[elizm]

8. Here's a link for you...

http://www.thenewhampshireprimary.com/news/022007news_nation_1.html

FLORENCE, S.C. -- Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday denied that her campaign traded money for an endorsement from one of South Carolina's most influential black politicians.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Clinton responded to questions about the consulting contract her campaign negotiated with state Sen. Darrell Jackson, who last week endorsed her candidacy rather than of top rivals John Edwards or Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

"Senator Jackson was someone who was involved in my husband's campaigns. He was someone we turned to for political advice and counsel and I'm proud to have him on my team," Clinton told the AP.

Soon after the endorsement, Jackson acknowledged that his media consulting firm had negotiated a $10,000 per month contract with Clinton's campaign. Jackson has said he turned down more lucrative contracts from other candidates.

[cuke]

13. Thank you

"Soon after the endorsement, Jackson acknowledged that his media consulting firm had negotiated a $10,000 per month contract with Clinton's campaign. Jackson has said he turned down more lucrative contracts from other candidates.

Although he backed Edwards in the 2004 Democratic presidential primary, Jackson said he now supports Clinton because she has the best shot of winning. "



I will be writing to the Clinton campaign. She shouldn't use him as a consultant. However, after reading this, I don't see how this justifies the "bought and paid for" claim, and so far, is not the same as what Obama messed up. Again, I'm wondering why any Obama supporter would think this sort of thread will help their candidate.

[Bluebear]

3. "Nobody's hands are clean here." Bullshit,

This is not about Clinton, this is about Obama.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

16. Why is that?

Should not all of our candidates ensure that their campaigns are free of associations with known bigots? If Obama should break ties with this bigoted gospel singer, shouldn't Clinton divest herself of her Mayberry and Jackson?

[IndianaJones]

4. I think HRC is called HRC because of HRC. nt.

[DemFemme]

5. It'd be interesting to dig into whoever runs HRC and see if they have connections to Hillary

It's a sad day when HRC is that cynical and hypocritical as to favor presidential candidates while
pretending to be "fair and balanced".

[MethuenProgressive]

6. The "counter attack" lacks honesty.

The same people attacking Clinton over this were defending Obama.
Once again, it's OK from Obama, but bad from Clinton.
Shameful tactic.
Enjoy your Obama/McBigot Gospel Tour.

[Bitwit1234]

9. Typical Obama bullshit posting. If someone critizes Obama they

shit their pants and yell bash Hillary too...blame Hillary too. Damn if everytime one of the Hillary bashers on this journal got an Obama posting crappy messages back they would be off of underwear.

[papau]

10. none of the names connected to Hillary claimed being gay was a sickness/choice - McClurkin is

a bit harder to shrug off. Indeed, most of the nation is pro-civil union and anti-gay marriage, despite what we want - so there will be many around all the candidates that are not pro gay marriage.

If there is more to Jackson and gay rights - beyond refusing to talk to Bob Jones University and refusing to dump on gays with an amendment to the SC constitution, someone should mention it.

As to Harold Mayberry, the pastor does believe gay activity is immoral - but Clinton praised his civil rights activity - nothing else. But here there is a comparison to the singer and Obama in that Obama praised his singing and did not endorse his views - so if we dump on Obama, we should also dump on Hillary - and visa versa of course

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

12. Matthew 7:3-5

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

[DrFunkenstein]

14. That Old Mote? Ah, That's Nothing. Did I mention how indignated I am?

Seriously, there's nothing I hate in politics like faux indignation. Normally its conservatives doing the fauxing, but apparently its not exclusive in these parts.

People act like Obama shot a guy in face or had an affair in the Oval Office.

There are so many important things to deal with in the nation and the world. Get a grip.

[terrya]

15. And why do you even pretend to care about this?

All you care about is pushing the "Clinton does this stuff too" stuff. Do you actually give a damn about this issue, the outrage we GLBT have?