One of the items that we could not get to during last night's live blog of the Pennsylvania primary was Barack Obama's speech. Given the tone of his adrress, it would be a misnomer to call this a "concession" speech. Clinton's ten point win was very substantial, but, Obama performed better than we expected. The speech was given to a rally in Evansville, Indiana and Obama referenced the gays.
We can be a party of those who only think like we do and only agree with all our positions. We can continue to slice and dice this country into red states and blue states. We can exploit the divisions that exist in our country for pure political gain.
Or this time we can build on the movement we started in this campaign, a movement that’s united Democrats, independents, Republicans, young, old, rich, poor, white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, because one thing I know, from traveling 46 states this campaign season, is that we are not as divided as our politics suggest.
Just as an fyi, that verbatim is from FOX, it's surprising the "gay" reference wasn't censored.
Obama's inclusive message is becoming standard operating procedure on the campaign trail. At the same time many gay activists and gay journalists are discussing and criticizing their lack of access to the presidential candidate—Kerry Eleveld at The Advocate just wrote an analysis of Obama's "targeted" approach to specialty media—Obama's makes a point to regularly mention gays on the campaign trail, such as his Texas speech and at Ebenezer Baptist.
One more thing: Obama did congratulate Hillary Clinton and her supporters, and, when there were some "boos", he asked them stop. Clinton also thanked Obama and his supporters and asked people not to boo. Both deserve credit.
Obama Speech on PA Primary Night [FOX]
All Politics is Local [Advocate]
Some Background ...
Obama Addresses Homophobia and Anti-Semitism [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
"I Have A Dream Ticket" [The Advocate]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [The Advocate + PDF]
A Tale of Two Cities [The Advocate]
Obama: Not "Very Christian" to Criticize Gays [R20]
Obama Buys Ads in Gay Newspapers in TX, OH [R20]
Obama: Hospital Visitation for Gay Couples is "Not a Special Privilege" [R20]
Right-Wing Townhall.com: "Obama Would Be First Gay President!" [R20]
Ten Things Obama Can Do to Win Pennsylvania [HuffPo]
Paging John Edwards and Barack Obama [HuffPo]
This Barack Obama Should Tell Bob Novak [HuffPo]
Why Obama is Losing Black Voters [HuffPo]
Welcome to the Campaign, Barack [HuffPo]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Hillary: The Advocate Interview [R20]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Rove on Obama: "Lazy" and "Basketball Playing" [R20]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Obama Addresses Homophobia and Anti-Semitism [R20]
HRC/Logo Forum: Obama Conference Call [R20]
HRC/Logo Forum: Morning After [R20]
Obama Meets the Press to Discuss Gays [R20]
Obama on McClurkin to "The Advocate" [R20]
Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech [R20]
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