Rod 2.0:Beta

Gay Bush Supporters Divided Over McCain, Some Support Obama

Remember the "Austin 12", the dozen well-known gay Republicans who famously met with and lobbied George W. Bush during the 2000 campaign to be more LGBT-inclusive? That was looooong ago when W. was still promising to be a "compassionate conservative." The Washington Blade interviews the 12 conservative homos, and, surprise, they are "not exactly rallying around John McCain." Several are openly supporting Barack Obama.

"In all, three said they either would vote for Obama or are seriously considering it; three are undecided between McCain and Obama; three are backing McCain and three others declined to comment." That means only 25 percent are publicly supporting the party's presumptive nominee. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. The reasons should be obvious.

During the meeting, the “Austin 12” urged Bush to appoint open gays to federal offices, include an openly gay speaker at the 2000 Republican National Convention and maintain President Clinton’s executive order banning discrimination against gays in the federal workforce. Bush complied with each of those requests during his presidency.

But Bush’s record, most notably his endorsement of the Federal Marriage Amendment, has soured some members of the “Austin 12” so much that they refuse to support the Republican Party’s presidential choice, even though McCain voted against the FMA in the U.S. Senate.

David Catania, an at-large City Council member for the District of Columbia, has sober words for the capital gains tax cut-loving homos in the Log Cabin Republicans. "I wouldn’t give supporting [McCain] a second thought. ... I think gays are kind of kidding themselves if they think John McCain is going to be any better for the gay community than George Bush.

‘Austin 12’ divided over McCain [Wash Blade]

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Dennis Haysbert: Role on "24" Helped Pave the Way for Obama

As the nation prepares to nominate its first black presidential candidate, and, possibly elect him to the White House, some ask if actor Dennis Haysbert's breakthrough presidential role on the hit series 24 influenced how people perceived Barack Obama's quest for the White House. Haysbert believes his role made a difference:

"If anything, my portrayal of David Palmer, I think, may have helped open the eyes of the American people," said the actor, who has contributed $2,300 to the Illinois Democrat's presidential campaign.

"And I mean the American people from across the board — from the poorest to the richest, every color and creed, every religious base — to prove the possibility there could be an African-American president, a female president, any type of president that puts the people first," he said Tuesday. ...

Haysbert, who also played Nelson Mandela in the 2007 film "Goodbye Bafana," said his role as President Palmer seemed to "confuse people" who would approach him on the street "every day, almost every hour, and ask me to run."

Haysbert offers a very interesting anecdote that illustrates the impact of his work on the series. The actor said he recently had dinner with his daughter south of Los Angeles in Dana Point, Calif., which he described as "very wealthy, very white and very Republican."

"I go into this little restaurant with that demographic and a lady comes up to me and says, `You know, I want to vote for you,'" he said. "I don't know if it is a joke or that people just like to say those things. But to me, for them to say it out loud means they are thinking about it."

Obama has often said The Wire is his favorite television show, but, we're sure he has watched a few episodes of Dennis Haysbert on 24. Just for practice.

Haysbert: Prez role on '24' may have helped Obama [AP]

Obama Will Expand and Rename Bush's Faith-Based Program

Only weeks after a closed-door meeting with religious leaders and announcing outreach to evangelicals and Catholics would be a "significant" component of its campaign, Barack Obama now announces more policies aimed at courting the evangelical vote. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee slams President George Bush’s faith-based initiative as failure and says he would expand the office and faith outreach would be a "critical" part of his administration. The New York Times:

On the second day of a weeklong tour intended to highlight his values, Mr. Obama is traveling to the battleground state of Ohio on Tuesday to present his proposal to get religious charities more involved in government programs. He is scheduled to give an afternoon speech at the Eastside Community Ministry in Zanesville, Ohio, a program that provides food, clothes and youth ministry. ...

Mr. Obama is proposing $500 million per year to provide summer learning for 1 million poor children to help close achievement gaps for students. He proposes elevating the program to the “moral center” of his administration, calling it the Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and changing training from infrequent huge conferences intended to empower larger religious charities to smaller ones in their communities.

Mr. Obama and his advisers are seeking support among relatively moderate evangelicals and are trying to take advantage of signs that some conservative Christians are rethinking their politics, urged along by a new generation of leadership and intensified concern about issues including climate change, genocide, AIDS and poverty.

Mike Allen at Politico: Anticipating criticism from the left, Obama said, "I believe deeply in the separation of church and state, but I don’t believe this partnership will endanger that idea—so long as we follow a few basic principles. First, if you get a federal grant, you can’t use that grant money to proselytize to the people you help and you can’t discriminate against them—or against the people you hire—on the basis of their religion. Second, federal dollars that go directly to churches, temples and mosques can only be used on secular programs. And we’ll also ensure that taxpayer dollars only go to those programs that actually work."

Rod 2.0 has extensively reported the impact of the Bush Administration's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives on the gay and black gay community. At best, it has been a mixed record. More churches have received federal funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and support. However, many gays rights and HIV/AIDS advocates have criticized the White House for granting funding to anti-gay ministries—such as the Rev. Willie Wilson, Washington DC's notoriously homophobic pastor, who announced from the pulpit "faggots or sissies" were not real men. Many faith-based HIV/AIDS initiatives have become criticized by auditors for excessive anti-gay rhetoric from the top, charges of exaggerated results, and, the main complaint, discriminating against gay men and focusing resources on women and children. A number of evangelical churches receiving faith-based funding have been linked to violent anti-gay evangelism in Uganda, as well as deadly and ineffective "abstinence only" policies throughout Africa.

Not really sure is this the "change" many expected with an Obama candidacy and/or administration, but, it's very consistent with his previous statements and positions on religion.

Obama Plan Would Expand Faith-Based Program [NYT]
Obama to rename Bush's faith office [Politico]

Some Background ...
Report: "Abstinence Only" Policy Spreads HIV, Death [R20]
Bush Admin Funding Anti-Gay Groups in Uganda [R20]
How Do Churches Provide HIV/AIDS Support? [R20]
Should Homophobic Churches Receive HIV Funding? [R20]
Black Baptist Convention FINALLY Mentions AIDS [R20]
Rev. Willie Wilson Outed [Keith Boykin]
Is HIV A Gay Disease? [Keith Boykin]
Ending Black Homophobia Will Reduce HIV [R20]
Bishop: "No Faggots or Sissies" (Rod 2.0)
"Urban Rally Against AIDS" [R20]
The HIV Morning After Pill? [R20]
Black Gay Men and "The Pill" [R20]
Jonathan Perry in "The Advocate" [R20]
Primetime Reports Black HIV Epidemic [After Elton]
"Out of Control: AIDS in Black America" [R20]
Hill Harper on HIV/AIDS [R20]
Ending Black Homophobia Will Reduce HIV [R20]

Did Obama "Inspire" Versace Collection? Yes, No, Maybe ...

The fashion world is ga-ga over Barack Obama's fashion aesthetic—the neutral muted colors, pleated slacks and open collar shirts. It was no surprise much of the news media eagerly reported the "news" that the Versace spring/summer 2009 men's collection that just debuted in Milan was dedicated to the Democratic presidential candidate. Not so fast, says a Versace rep. The four black models who walked the runway for Donatella Versace ... the open-collared and tie-less ensembles ... this wasn't "dedicated" to Obama. Only somewhat "inspired by him. Fashion Week Daily attempts clarification.

"It was the type of man Barack Obama represents that inspired the men's spring/summer 2009 collection," a Versace spokesman clarified to The Daily. "A modern man with a laid back relaxed look and attitude. Not Obama himself."

In other words, sounds like "Obama inspired us."

Donatella Versace refutes Obama as "inspiration" [FWD]

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Michelle Obama at DNC Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council

On Wednesday, we announced Michelle Obama would keynote the DNC's Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council gala Thursday in New York City. Here is the update. The wife of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama received a standing ovation for her speech, which promised Obama would prioritize gay rights and compared the fight for gay rights to the civil movement. Newsday.

"Barack believes that we must fight for the world as it should be, a world where together we work to reverse discriminatory laws," she told the crowd at a Manhattan fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee's Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council. ...

"We are all only here because of those who marched and bled and died, from Selma to Stonewall, in the pursuit of a more perfect union," she told the group, gathered a two days before the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots between gays and New York police, and three days before New York's gay pride parade. "The world as it is should be one that rejects discrimination of all kinds."

This was a great move because many in the black community, especially the churches, are unwilling to link gay rights to civil rights. She also called for a renewed effort to fight HIV and AIDS and said the  black community should overcome homophobia, the same message her husband delivered at a presidential debate. "Nothing we have to do over the next four or eight years is going to be easy. There will be powerful forces who believe that things should stay just as they are, that everything is fine, and that’s where you all come in."

Michelle Paterson, the first lady of New York state, also spoke at the gay leadership gala. The gala raised raised about $1.3 million for the DNC. From Selma to Stonewall, let freedom ring.

Obama's wife says he'll fight for gay equality [Newsday]
Michelle Obama speaks to gay Democrats [Reuters]

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More POLITICS

Some Background ...
Michelle Obama to Keynote DNC Gay Ldrship Council [R20]
Obama Camp Marches in Boston, DC and Indy Prides [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
"Christians" Opposed to Obama [R20]
Far-Right Not Interested in Disease [R20]
Far-Right Not Interested in Disease Pt 2 [R20]
"Pastor Warren, Would You Let a White Supremacist Speak at Your Church?" [R20]
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]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [The Advocate + PDF]
A Tale of Two Cities [The Advocate]
I Have a Dream ... Ticket [The Advocate] 
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Obama Snubs Clinton at SOTU [R20]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [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 Resigns From Trinity [R20]
Obama "Outraged" by Wrights' "Ridiculous" "Rants" [R20]
NC Gov Endorses Clinton, NC/IN Polls Tightening [R20]
Wright at the National Press Club and Detroit NAACP [R20]
Wright on PBS: Obama "Says What He Has to Say as a Politician" [R20]
NC GOP Targets Dems with Obama/Wright Attack Ad [R20]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech [R20]
Obama and the Turban Non-Story [R20]
PA Debate: Meltdown and Morning After [R20]
"Bitter" Billionaire Fundraiser" [R20]
Obama Camp Provides Photo of Wright and Clinton [R20]
Obama to Make "Major" Speech on Race [R20]
Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black LGBTs [R20]
McCain Aide Suspended, Circulating Wright Video [R20]

Michelle Obama to Keynote DNC Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council

Via Marc Ambinder at The Atlantic and CBS News is word of a surprise headliner at the Democratic National Committee's gay and lesbian leadership dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan:

Michelle Obama will give the keynote address at the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council Gala in New York City tomorrow night. She will be joined at the Democratic National Committee fundraiser by DNC Chair Howard Dean and New York First Lady Michelle Paterson.

How to interpret this? On the upside, gay and lesbian leaders in Chicago give Michelle Obama high praise for her outreach and accessibility. (PDF) Michelle Obama is Barack Obama's wife and most important surrogate and this could be interpreted as a strong signal that, if elected, LGBT issues will be a priority of the administration and she will continue as the ambassador to the LGBT community. Our leadership wold have a direct pipeline to the Oval Office. In addition, Michelle Paterson is an excellent ambassador to New York City's gay community and knows all the players and would serve as a great mentor.

On the other hand, after firing high profile gay staffers such as Ramon Gardenhire and Donald Hitchcock and the ongoing gay-related lawsuit against the DNC, Howard Dean does not enjoy a good reputation with the gays. Obama has regularly 'mentioned' gays and lesbians on the campaign trial during the primary, but, has yet to personally address national gay audiences or leadership. Given the realities of general election politics and the campaign's shift to the right and 'significant focus' on evangelical outreach, it probably will never happen. Oh, and there is last week's redefinition of marriage as 'one-man, one-woman'. WYSIWYG.

Choose your poison.

More OBAMA
More POLITICS

Some Background ...
Obama Camp Marches in Boston, DC and Indy Prides [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
"Christians" Opposed to Obama [R20]
Far-Right Not Interested in Disease/em>[R20]
Far-Right Not Interested in Disease Pt 2 [R20]
"Pastor Warren, Would You Let a White Supremacist Speak at Your Church?" [R20]
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]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [The Advocate + PDF]
A Tale of Two Cities [The Advocate]
I Have a Dream ... Ticket [The Advocate] 
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Obama Snubs Clinton at SOTU [R20]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [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 Resigns From Trinity [R20]
Obama "Outraged" by Wrights' "Ridiculous" "Rants" [R20]
NC Gov Endorses Clinton, NC/IN Polls Tightening [R20]
Wright at the National Press Club and Detroit NAACP [R20]
Wright on PBS: Obama "Says What He Has to Say as a Politician" [R20]
NC GOP Targets Dems with Obama/Wright Attack Ad [R20]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech [R20]
Obama and the Turban Non-Story [R20]
PA Debate: Meltdown and Morning After [R20]
"Bitter" Billionaire Fundraiser" [R20]
Obama Camp Provides Photo of Wright and Clinton [R20]
Obama to Make "Major" Speech on Race [R20]
Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black LGBTs [R20]
McCain Aide Suspended, Circulating Wright Video [R20]

 

Texas Republicans Ban Vendor of Racist, Anti-Obama Button

Here is an update to the outrageous case of the vendor at the Texas GOP convention who sold campaign buttons that asked, "If Obama is president ... will we still call it The White House?"

The Texas Republican Party says it will donate the $1,500 rent it collected from the vendor, Republicanmarket.com, to Midwestern flood victims.  "This vendor need not apply to another Texas GOP state convention," says party spokesman Hans Klingler. "The proceeds from their booth space will be donated to charity. We will not tolerate nor profit from bigotry." The Texas GOP will also bar the vendor from booth space at future events.   

"The Republican Party of Texas told me I can never go there again. They're my biggest event," says Florida-based Jonathan Alcox, who insisted he did not want to offend anyone. Alcox adds the decision "pretty much put me out of business." Whatever.

Last week, it was announced an internet-based company was marketing a stuffed monkey toy called "The Sock Obama." Two weeks before, a Georgia man began selling t-shirts that compares Barack Obama to Curious George. This button is sad but predictable, not at all surprising. Just another day in the new, "post-racial" America.

Texas GOP cuts off vendor that sold racist button [AP]
Vendor apologizes for buttons; he sold four [Statesman]

Some Background ...
Racially Charged, Stuffed Monkey "Sock Obama" Toy [R20]
TX GOP Convention Button: "If Obama is Elected President, Will We Still Call it the White House?" [R20]

Obama Capitulates on Wiretapping and Telecom Immunity Bill

In case you missed the weekend meltdown on the "progressive" blogs and the Sunday morning talk shows: After campaigning against the Bush Administration's proposal to expand its warrantless wiretapping program and grant immunity to telecom companies, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama now announces his  "support " for the new surveillance bill.

Via Big Tent Democrat at Talk Left:

"... It is not all that I would want. But given the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay. So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives – and the liberty – of the American people."

The entire statement is after the jump.

In October 2007 and February 2008, Obama expressed "serious concerns about many provisions in this bill, especially the provision on giving retroactive immunity to the telephone companies" and promised to filibuster any bill that granted immunity. The current statement says Obama will "work" to remove the telecom immunity provision. That is a major capitulation and many in the netroots, such as DailyKos, Open Left, MoveOn.org, are outraged and are urging people to contact Obama and ask him to keep his campaign promise to filibuster the bill. That's not going to happen. WYSIWYG.

The Senate vote is Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) says he will "try to have a separate vote on immunity" but did not say whether he will vote for the bill. Fourth Amendment be damned, the Democrats are too afraid to be seen as "weak on terrorism" during an election year.

Pelosi and Dems Capitulate to Bush on Wiretapping, Obama Silent

In yet another capitulation to the Bush Administration's extensive domestic surveillance agenda, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill that extends the government’s wiretapping powers and effectively confers legal immunity to the telecom companies that participated in President George Bush’s warrantless wiretapping after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The ACLU calls the bill "Christmas morning at the White House."

Speaker Nancy Pelosi was instrumental in shepherding the bill through the House and stated her goal was to deliver a bill "by July 4th" for the president "to sign." Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was responsible for crafting the "compromise" described by Sens. Russell Feingold and Patrick Leahy as a "capitulation." Pelosi showed her ineptitude long ago and it's beyond pathetic the Democrats continue to blink at a lame duck president with the worst approval rating in history.

In The New York Times, GOP House Whip Roy Blunt derided the telecom amnesty provision as a mere "formality" that would inevitably lead to the immediate dismissal of 40 lawsuits against AT&T and other telecommunications companies. Missouri Sen. Christopher Bond also thanks the Democrats for giving away the store: "I think the White House got a better deal than they even had hoped to get."

Meanwhile, a few editorial boards, numerous reporters and the netroots have realized presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has been strangely silent on the issue. TPM Cafe via Big Tent Democrat at Talk Left:

"[A] reporter asked specifically about Obama's position.  "I better check on that. . . ," [Robert] Gibbs said. "I honestly -- that's what I need to work on, as well." It certainly is striking that Obama is now the leader of the Democratic Party, but he has yet to say anything on such a crucial public issue. Obama has in the past opposed lawsuit immunity for the telecom companies that participated in warrantless wiretapping, but neither he nor his campaign have commented on his position for the latest bill."

The Senate votes next week.

More TERRORISM

House Passes Bill on Wiretap Powers [NYT]

TX GOP Convention Button: "If Obama is Elected President, Will We Still Call it the White House?"

Another week and another offensive product featuring racially-charged messaging around Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Over the weekend at the Texas Republican state convention, a booth sold a pin that asked, "If Obama is President will we still call it the White House?"

Apparently this was par for the course at the convention. The Dallas Morning News reports, "There were other pins that weren't necessarily conveying the positive, inclusive, united front that has been portrayed during the convention. One said, 'Press 1 for English. Press 2 for Deportation' and another, 'I will hold my nose when I vote for McCain'"

It has become a cottage industry to market race-baiting products around the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Last week, it was announced an internet-based company was marketing a stuffed monkey toy called "The Sock Obama." Two weeks before, a Georgia man began selling t-shirts that compares Barack Obama to Curious George. This button is sad but predictable, not at all surprising. Just another day in the new, "post-racial" America.

Stick a Pin in It [DMN]

Some Background ...
For Sale: Racially Charged, Stuffed Monkey "Sock Obama" Toy [R20]