I'm an Obama supporter who has a problem with the way he has handled LGBT issues.

[EmilyAnne]

His alleged refusal to be photographed with Mayor Gavin Newsom and, of course, the McClurkin fiasco. Gays in this country have become the latest bogeymen and and the RW rhetoric against them in the 2004 election was horrifying.

I hope that we all (Hillbots, Obamaniacs and undecideds) agree that LGBT issues need to stay at the forefront of the democratic agenda. Can we talk, calmly and rationally, about our problems with both Hillary and Barack? From DOMA to DADT, to McCLurkin and hiding from the camera with Gavin Newsom, neither candidate has a perfect record. Why are we supporting one over the other and what can we do to hold the winners feet to the fire on this issue?

[Orsino]

1. He hasn't handled any.

He and Clinton have done their best to avoid addressing any real LBGT issues. Al we have to fight over is the who-said-what-while-standing-next-to-whom quibbling.

[EmilyAnne]

2. That's sad, really.

Considering that Bush won the 2004 election, in my opinion, on the "values" issues such as stem cell research and gay marriage, how strange it is that the candidates are not talking about them.

Because McCain was against the constitutional amendment and for stem cell research and WAS pretty much pro-choice, he knows that he can't mention them now without looking like a hypocrite. He was hoping to appeal to the moderates. Now, I wonder if he is kicking himself without those hot button issues on his side to bring out the crazies. It sure looks like it. On his website, he lists overturning Roe v. Wade and something about protecting marriage, though how he would do it...he doesn't say. No mention of an amendment, but he sure as hell won't be granting any civil union rights or overturning DADT and DOMA.

I think if the RW starts talking LGBT, Clinton and Obama will start fleshing out their policies. Until then, like you said, we are forced to dig up stuff on their websites and fight about "who-said-what-while-standing-next-to-whom." Basically, LGBT issues are in limbo. Neither openly hated nor openly courted. It sucks.

[Forkboy]

3. And I'm sure the ad helped.

This whole issue is one of my biggest beefs with Obama. I don't think he could have handled the McClurkin thing any worse short of taking lessons on how to offend people.