This may have slipped through the cracks in the holiday news cycle, so, please excuse if you've heard earlier. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama was interviewed by Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody and forcefully spoke out against the notion that privileges such as hospital visitations for same-sex spouses are "special rights."
The YouTube video and transcript are via Page One Q:"How would Jesus feel about somebody not being able to visit somebody they love when they're sick? Certainly, as a public official it's important for me to make sure that those basic rights—that basic equality—is available."
Excellent idea to frame basic civil right for gays as a WWJD question. Obama will have to actively promote this messaging to religious audiences, notes Pam Spaulding at Salon, since the candidate has opened "the Pandora's box of personal religious convictions" and began actively courting the faith-based vote.
Meanwhile, more mixed messages from the campaign trail. After last week's dramatic new poll that showed Obama slightly ahead in Iowa, newer polls in New Mexico and Kentucky show Hillary Clinton as a stronger general election candidate in both states and potentially winning both. But, first there is Iowa ...
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Obama is turning into one hot mess with his pandering to the right wing for votes with this anti-gay rehotoric, all I have to say is I knew he was trifling, and, was no different from any of the other "candidates". I have a few choice words about him and the rest of them, but, don't want to offend anyone.
Posted by: Luther | 26 November 2007 at 13:10
Luther, I'm going to agree with you on the pandering to the evangelicals.
Posted by: ralphie | 26 November 2007 at 13:17
It's too bad Obama didn't say that during McClurkin. We copuld have used that support then.
Posted by: ricky | 26 November 2007 at 16:08
That certainly is the best way to frame a message on gay inclyusion to the evangelical crowd. I'm just ot sure we have to go after their votes.
Posted by: rob a | 26 November 2007 at 16:26
Why shouldn't we go after their votes? We want as many votes as possible. If Obama is not going to compromise, he (or Hillary or Edwards) should partner with willing segments of the evangelical vote.
Posted by: scott | 26 November 2007 at 16:43
Luther, how exactly is Obama pandering to the right wing with anti-gay rhetoric?
If I read the article right, it seems he's trying to preach COMPASSION to the evangelical crowd. He's using their religion in order to justify rights gays in America SHOULD HAVE ANYWAY.
It forces them to confront their own prejudices against the religion they claim to hold so dearly.
Posted by: Jimmy | 01 December 2007 at 10:45