Rod 2.0:Beta

NV Poll: McCain 44%, Obama 42%

New poll conducted by Mason-Dixon for the Las Vegas Review-Journal shows a closely contested presidential race in Nevada. 44 percent would vote for John McCain, 42 percent for Barack Obama and "14 percent of likely voters remain undecided."

The cross-tabs are interesting. Obama narrowly leads among Hispanics "with 53 percent, but nearly one-fifth are undecided and McCain still draws 28 percent." Obama leads with women, 47 percent to 39 percent, but a "significant" number remain undecided.  Corroborating recent polls conducted in key swing states is more news that should be troubling for the Democratic Party. "15 percent of Democrats saying they'll vote for McCain and another 14 percent undecided, that's 29 percent of his own party not currently supporting Obama."

Hillary Clinton won the Nevada caucus and some 60 percent of the Hispanic vote. As we've several times before, the Nevada and New Mexico vote, and, to a smaller extent California, will be decided by Hispanics and women. Obama will undoubtedly win a majority of female and Hispanic voters in the southwest. It's the margin that will make a difference.

COMMENTS only on this poll or the general election in Nevada. NO rehashing of the primary.

Dodd Endorses Obama

Obviously, a perceived lack of patriotism is not a problem for Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), who becomes the first of the Democratic presidential dropouts to make an endorsement and he endorses former rival Barack Obama. The Connecticut senator says Obama ''has been poked and prodded, analyzed and criticized, called too green, too trusting and for all of that has already won'' more than half the states and millions of votes.

The Dodd endorsement is a natural fit. Dodd and Obama have similar positions on labor and Obama won Connecticut on Super Tuesday.

Dodd and Obama made the announcement this morning in Cleveland, Ohio, the scene of tonight's MSNBC debate. Ohio and Texas are in play a week from today. According to which poll you want to cite, Clinton is either slightly ahead in Ohio, tied in Texas, or, it's a statistical dead heat.

Dodd Endorses Obama [NYT]
Texas Poll [CNN]
Ohio Primary [Rasmussen]

You May Enjoy ...
Dodd to Skip HRC/Logo Forum [R20]
Dodd: What if Your Child Were Gay? [R20]
Dem Pres Candidates Debate Gay Issues [R20]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Eliz Edwards: "Comfortable with Gay Marriage" [R20]
Clinton, Edwards Oppose Surgeon General Nominee [R20]
Obama and Edwards on DOMA [R20]

News: Obama on "Don't Ask", Democrats on HIV, Patti LaBelle

· This week marks the 14th anniversary of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the controversial Defense Department policy that prevents gay men and lesbians from openly serving in the military. Throughout the week, the Human Rights Campaign features answers from Democratic presidential candidates on specific steps they would take to repeal the law if they were elected. The responses by Sens. Joe Biden (here) and John Edwards (here) have been fairly lackluster. Chris Dodd's was more specific.

· Barack Obama's response has been the most comprehensive. Money quote: "The eradication of this policy will require more than just eliminating one statute. It will require the implementation of anti-harassment policies and protocols for dealing with abusive or discriminatory behavior as we transition our armed forces away from a policy of discrimination. The military must be our active partners in developing those policies."

· The Democratic presidential candidates are polled on HIV/AIDS. Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Obama and  Bill Richardson all "support lifting a ban on federal funding for needle-exchange programs and replacing abstinence-only sex education with comprehensive HIV prevention programs if elected."

· Promising news from the campaign trail. Hillary Clinton amplifies earlier promises to fight HIV/AIDS and unveils an ambitious, comprehensive strategic and funding plan that will "especially help groups in the U.S. that have seen HIV infection rates rise over the past several years, including African Americans and gay men, and address the continued risk in Latino communities and among women."

· Meanwhile, the The Washington Post details a sweeping new report on HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia, described as "a modern epidemic" remarkable for its size, complexity and reach.

· Advocate.com publishes a beautiful interview with Patti LaBelle by entertainment writer Clay Cane. "I don't judge you because you love who you love," LaBelle explains. "I don't judge because of the color that you are. I don’t judge anything. I'm very honest with gay people. I’m very honest with calling you out and saying come up to the front of the stage and let the audience know that you're gay. You’re breathing and you're just like them. The only thing that you have is a different sexual orientation.

· Bil Browning at The Bilerico Project updates readers on the fight against same-sex marriage in Indiana: "While an Indianapolis Star poll released today shows that support for a constitutional amendment has dropped dramatically, the religious right has ramped up its propaganda machine...Political power, money, and influence will decide this issue more than respect for civil rights or religious fervor."

Obama Promises Diplomacy on Iran

Now, this is what we're talking about. Sen. Barack Obama charts an aggressive new policy toward Iran and tells The New York Times he would engage in direct diplomacy. At the same time, the candidate introduces a resolution that says the Bush Administration does not have authority to use military force against the Islamic Republic.

"I think it is important for us to send a signal that we are not hellbent on regime change, just for the sake of regime change, but expect changes in behavior," the senator says in The New York Times interview. "And there are both carrots and there are sticks available to them for those changes in behavior."

The Obama resolution on military action against the Mahmoud Ahmadenijad regime comes as Sam Stein in The Huffington Post reports some 30 senators "sent a letter to the White House on warning President Bush not to take offensive military action against Iran without the consent of Congress." 

The letter was designed to "clarify the ambiguity of the recent Kyl-Lieberman amendment" which designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as terrorists, and, was spearheaded by Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)  and signed by presidential candidates Sen. Hillary Clinton, "who voted for the Kyl-Lieberman provision, and Sen. Chris Dodd, who opposed it."

Obama did not sign the letter although he has criticized Clinton and other hawkish Dems for signing the amendment. Obama ducked abstained from the vote—which we criticized—and perhaps this was his strategy: Obama is maneuvering Clinton into taking an unequivocal stand on Iran. It's not our approach—limiting options against terrorist states and potential nuclear adversaries?—but forces Clinton to avoid triangulation. Very clever.

You May Have Missed ...
Senate Democrats Vote to Condemn MoveOn [R20]
Edwards and Obama Press Clinton in Debate [R20]
Why Obama is Losing Black Voters [HuffPo]
Welcome to the Campaign, Barack [HuffPo]
Video of CNN Comparing Obama to Axis of Evil [R20]
CNN Compares Barack Obama to Ahmadinejad [R20]
Ahmadinejad Will Free 15 Captive British Sailors [R20]
Talks with Iran and Syria [R20]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Democratic Candidates Debate Gay Issues [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate]
Hillary: The Advocate Interview [R20]
Obama on McClurkin to "The Advocate" [R20] 
HRC/Logo Forum: Obama Conference Call [R20]
HRC/Logo Forum: Morning After [R20]

News: House Fails to Overide SCHIP Veto, Venezuela, Dodd, Out 100

· The House fails to override President Bush’s veto on the SCHIP health insurance program for children. "The final roll call was 273 to 156, falling 13 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed." The Bush Administration—which campaigned on the promise of "No child left behind"—is quite pleased that an additional 10 million children will not have insurance. "'We won this round on SCHIP," White House press secretary Dana Perino said after the vote.

· Rep. Steve King (R-IA) mocked the SCHIP program as "Socialized Clinton-style Hillarycare for Illegals and their Parents". SCHIP is an acronym for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, does not cover undocumented immigrants, and, was created by the Republican-led Congress. Video at Think Progress which notes, "Not surprisingly, King voted today to sustain Bush’s SCHIP veto.

· Introducing the Out 100 Blog.

· As Congress debates including gays and lesbians in employment and law enforcement protection, Venezuelan gay activists launch a letter-writing effort to include "sexual orientation as a protected category in the latest round of constitutional reforms. This follows news that a legislative committee recommended that such language be included in a new version of the Venezuelan constitution currently under consideration."

· The latest sighting of Bow Wow and Omarion find the BFFs showing off their new toys.

· Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) "will block the Senate from taking up legislation that would give telephone companies immunity for their role in President George W. Bush's warrantless wiretapping program." Chris Bowers at Open Left asks, "So, why not Dodd?"

· Investment bankers ♥ Hillary Clinton. "According to an analysis by Bloomberg, she picked up $748,896 from workers at Wall Street firms from July to September, which is more than the combined amount raised by Barack Obama, Rudolph Giuliani and Mitt Romney from those sources."

Senate Democrats Vote for Cornyn Resolution to Condemn MoveOn

The Senate votes 72-25 for a resolution criticizing the controversial MoveOn.org advert in The New York Times that targeted Gen. David Petraeus. The toothless resolution—against a newspaper ad, no less—and its principal sponsor John Cornyn (R-TX)  never address the substantive claims of the ad. Not surprisingly, Cornyn has historically opposed "meaningless" Democratic-led resolutions against the war.

This is a major disappointment. Twenty three Democrats—full list HERE—joined the Republican minority and "one after another," notes progressive activist Lane Hudson, of the "allowed the not-so-invisible hand of Karl Rove to make them fear" they would be accused of not 'supporting the troops.'

Chris Dodd and Hillary Clinton were the only Senate Democrats running for President that voted against "this ridiculous waste of time." Clinton deserves credit. She's taken a number of hits from progressives and the netroots community, but, notes Jane Hamsher at Firedoglake, is too smart to "repeat right-wing talking points to attack your own."

Joe Biden and Barack Obama were missing in action and abstained from voting. If you're interested, Obama's response explanation rationalization was that he abstained because voting for or against the resolution is the "kind of political game-playing that makes most Americans cynical about Washington's ability ... "

More Iraq coverage HERE.

Senators Who Forced Debate on Ad [Think Progress]
Hillary Gets it Right [Firedoglake]
Obama; By Not Casting a Vote ... [Open Left]
Senate Democrats to Netrots: F$#@ You [HuffPo]

Did You Read? ...
Republicans Questions Escalation, Statistics [R20]

AFL-CIO Presidential Forum

On assignment at the AFL-CIO Presidential Forum which will be broadcast live from Chicago on MSNBC at 6PM CDT.

This should be fun. The debate will be held at Soldier Field, and, although the mercury is flirting in the mid 90s, the crowds are already beginning to arrive. Sure, it's hot outside—but the prospect of electing a progressive Congress and President has energized people across the country. It's not so bad.

Dodd to Skip HRC/Logo Forum

Democratic presidential Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) announces he will not be attending the upcoming presidential forum sponsored by Logo and the Human Rights Campaign on August 9th in Los Angeles. Dodd’s press office says "the Senator has to withdraw from the forum due to scheduling conflicts."

Dodd and Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) will be the only Democratic candidates that will not participate in the forum. Sen. Hillary Clinton, former Sens. John Edwards and Mike Gravel, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Bill Richardson have agreed to speak at the forum and take questions.

Thursday morning, a staffer from the Dodd campaign addressed the LGBT Caucus at YearlyKos—one of only two campaigns to send a staffer to the caucus. 

Human Rights Campaign and Logo to Host Presidential Debates

Two weeks ago we saw the Democratic presidential candidates reach out to black voters through a special debate. Now, the Democratic candidates will target another specific constituency voters in an historic, first of its kind event: Gay and lesbian voters.

The Human Rights Campaign is sponsoring the debate and Logo will broadcast the debate live from Los Angeles at 6 pm on August 9. The debate will also be streamed live at LOGOonline.com. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards will attend the debate. In addition, HRC confirmed to Rod 2.0 that Sen. Chris Dodd will be pressent.

As we've said in numerous posts and magazine articles, the LGBT vote will be a prime target for the Democratic presidential candidates. HRC President Joe Solmonese: "In the 2008 presidential election, issues of concern to the LGBT community have already been at the forefront of the national conversation. From the repeal of "Don't ask, Don't Tell" to the recent signing of a civil unions bill in New Hampshire, there is no doubt that voters will demand answers to important questions affecting our community."

The 2008 election is shaping up to be the most hotly contested and probably the most captivating in recent times. Most of us are still shopping around for candidates and it is certainly a testament to the gay and lesbian voting (and economic) power that the campaigns are actively targeting our votes.

Some Background ...

Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Dem Pres Candidates Debate Gay Issues [R20]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
 Eliz Edwards: "Comfortable with Gay Marriage" [R20]
Clinton, Edwards Oppose Surgeon General Nominee [R20]
Obama and Edwards on DOMA [R20]
Deval Patrick to Introduce Candidates at Debate [R20]
Clinton Names Prominent Gay Supporters [R20]
Obama Campaign Names Gay Supporters [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Memo to Mr. Geffen: Get Over It [R20]
Hillary Big Brother "Ad" [R20]
Obama Strategist Behind Hillary Big Brother Ad [R20]

 

Clinton and Edwards Oppose Anti-Gay Surgeon General Nominee

Opposition grows to the Bush Administration's nominee for surgeon general. The leading Democratic presidential candidates express reservations—and, in the case of Hillary Clinton, a promise to vote "no"—to Dr. James Holsinger. The former health director of Kentucky is under fire for a graphic, anti-gay paper  written at the height of the AIDS crisis and for starting a church with an ex-gay ministry.

The Los Angeles Times reports, "Holsinger is 'a nominee who will divide America,' [Former Sen. John Edwards] said, castigating what he termed the doctor's 'anti-gay writings and beliefs.' A spokesman for Clinton said that she intended to oppose Holsinger's confirmation and that she hoped Bush would reconsider the nomination." Chairman Ted Kennedy (MA), a noted gay rights supporter, also expresses reservations.

Clinton serves on the committee that will conduct hearings on Holsinger's nomination. Sens. Barack Obama (IL) and Chris Dodd (CT) serve on the same committee and voice strong concerns, but, have not said they will vote against his confirmation. "I have serious reservations about nominating someone who would inject his own anti-gay ideology into critical decisions about the health and well-being of our nation," Obama said in a statement. "I fear that Dr. Holsinger's previous comments and actions will prevent him from representing each and every individual," Dodd noted.

The Bush Administration defends its nominee and says the 1991 paper reflected scientific data from the 1980s. Given the intense opposition by gay rights groups, and, the strong positions of Charman Ted Kennedy (MA), and the leading Democratic members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee it's very likely that Holsinger will not be confirmed.

Uproar Over Surgeon General Nominee [LAT]
Obama, Dodd Voice Doubts on Holsinger [KY]

Some Background ...

Surgeon General Warning: Gay Sex Can Be Hazardous to Your Health [R20]