Come on, Obama - you can do it!

Point taken

susanferman.wordpress.com

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by: Susan_F @ Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 22:36:36 PM CDT

Obama could go one step further

  By saying,

Same sex marriage has been legal in  Massachusetts for three years now and it hasn't hurt my marriage and it doesn't seem to have affected Senator McCains either.

 This would force McCain who supports the Hate amendment to say it has in some way or it hasn't.  And it would deflate the fundie support for McSame as well if he could not come up with something.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 23:55:34 PM CDT

Not a bad idea at all

I'd love to hear what McCain's reply would be.  

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by: juicyjuice @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 07:43:36 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

That would be brilliant

'nuff said.

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by: Morry @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 08:59:23 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

There have to be dozens of ways

to make connections like the one make here, HappyCat.  

Your suggestion would be one way to hijack the Republican effort to keep gay marriage as a red herring to distract voters and push the bigot button without making Obama look like a gay superhero.

Obama earned respect and praise when he said this to rebut the outrage that was (unfairly) directed at him due to the words of Rev Wright:

Of course, the answer to the slavery question was already embedded within our Constitution - a Constitution that had at is very core the ideal of equal citizenship under the law; a Constitution that promised its people liberty, and justice, and a union that could be and should be perfected over time.

And yet words on a parchment would not be enough to deliver slaves from bondage, or provide men and women of every color and creed their full rights and obligations as citizens of the United States. What would be needed were Americans in successive generations who were willing to do their part - through protests and struggle, on the streets and in the courts, through a civil war and civil disobedience and always at great risk - to narrow that gap between the promise of our ideals and the reality of their time.

This was one of the tasks we set forth at the beginning of this campaign - to continue the long march of those who came before us, a march for a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America. I chose to run for the presidency at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together - unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction - towards a better future for of children and our grandchildren.

He doesn't have to go this far in a response to magnify the holes in logic and expose the indecency that define the proposed amendments to state constitutions that share the ballot with him this fall.  

But he has to do something - especially after repeating the mantra of those that want to define marriage against us.

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by: Patrick @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 09:00:59 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I believe Obama has been expressing his actual views on marriage

It is becoming more and more difficult to blame Obama's "marriage is a one man, one woman" and "let the states decide" position on political pandering to the right. And to be honest, I'm ok with that. I would rather have a politician willing to look me in the eye when he takes a shot at me than one who tries to pat me on the back with a dagger in his hand.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même merde.

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by: TechBear @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 09:45:52 AM CDT

Does this do?

From a letter by Obama to the Alice B Toklas LGBT Democratic Club in preparation for an event last weekend:

That is why I support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, and the passage of laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes and employment discrimination. And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states.

For too long, issues of LGBT rights have been exploited by those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond polarization and live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. This is no less than a core issue about who we are as Democrats and as Americans.

Finally, I want to congratulate ali of you who have shown your love for each other by getting married these last few weeks. My thanks again to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club for allowing me to be a part of today's celebration. I look forward to working with you in the coming months and years, and I wish you all continued success.

Certainly makes the statement I was looking for - this was posted at Calitics:

http://www.calitics.com/showDi...

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by: CPT_Doom @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 09:50:12 AM CDT

good, but hidden away

he needs to make a public statement in a venue equal to those he made the OMOW statements - in major interviews.  it's nice he said this, very much after the fact.  but straight voters ont he fence are not going to be up on what he said to a dem club.  the go to mainstream media for their info, so that's where obama needs to be saying this stuff.

btw, i was at seattle pride yesterday.  there was a big contingent of obama supporters in the parade.  i have a personal policy of applauding for every group that is in the parade, but i must say it was hard to muster even a tempid hand wave for them.  do they know they're supporting someone who supports their 2nd class citienship?  

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 09:56:20 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Do you suppose

Maybe there should be some kind of attempt to get this question (do you support or oppose the AZ,CA,FL amendments) asked at one of the debates.

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by: mcc @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 14:43:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

i meant to add

that he is saying he'll use the bully pulpit for us.  well, what is he waiting for?  this is a crucial time in our civil rights struggle.  what are you waiting for mr. "civil rights" attorney?!

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 10:01:05 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Not the same as ABC or Meet the Press

The letter to the LGBT Democratic club shows that Obama has a grasp of the language and ideas that equate to a solid and positive position.  

The fact that the letter is available (now) on the internet shows he isn't afraid to make it known - or he would never have allowed himself to be exposed in the first place.

Now he needs to access those words when he is faced with a network news reporter or is interviewed by someone outside of the niche within a niche (within another niche).  

He keeps proving that he can do it.  Will he do it when speaking publicly in CA during one of his many campaign cash raising visits in the state?

That last sentence in the first paragraph is a keeper!  

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by: Patrick @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 10:25:54 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Democratic Politicians need to hear that from him

to feel more comfortable about supporting us.

Patrick, excellent article, by the way!

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 10:32:23 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

This is good

And I consider this sentiment particularly important: Finally, I want to congratulate all of you who have shown your love for each other by getting married these last few weeks.

I hope, when bigots try to get Obama to back away from supporting us, he can somehow incorporate exactly this kind of personal touch in his response.  The general public needs to be reminded that there are committed and loving couples out there who deserve better.  And in general homophobia is so much harder to maintain when it's personal rather than abstract, so it helps bolster his defense, too.

What can we do to amplify this positive step?

(1) Publicize it as much as possible on blogs and forums so that people know where he stands--and also to commit him to that stand.

(2) Back Obama up in return.  Any time McCain or a surrogate flaps his trap about gay marriage in the next four months, I'll be sending a letter to the editor of any newspaper which reports on it--reminding readers that McCain is a divorced and remarried adulterer who dumped his wife after she became disabled to take up with a younger and wealthier woman.

What else?

"Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain" -- Iowa state motto

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by: Sportin' Life @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 10:36:55 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Why should we take this at face value?

He has spoken to narrowly defined special interest groups before. To some of these groups, he has made comments that were distinctly non-supportive of marriage rights. The GLBT communities are told not to worry, as these non-supportive comments are just pandering and he doesn't really hold such views. Why should we not see this newest statement in exactly the same light?

And also, please note what is missing: He opposes efforts to amend the California Constitution. But he has NOT disavowed his frequently repeated position that "marriage is one man and one woman" and that the states should decide whether or not to extend fundamental human rights. What really has changed?

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même merde.

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by: TechBear @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 13:00:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Okay, I'm sold

Yes, he can.

He CAN express support for our equal citizenship, while at the same time using his rightfully-renowned capacity for flowery speech that states the right thing in terms that are both accessible and politically effective.

IOW, yes we can get behind a candidate who a) knows how to move the ball while b) keeping in mind where the goalposts are.

Since the campaign had to expect this letter to be published and indexed, they have now expressed which side they are on vis-a-vis my family's full citizenship. I expect that this statement will be thrown at the candidate many times over the coming months and that his campaign must have a damage-control strategy in place by now.

Though it's hard to imagine how 'congratulations' could be twisted, it will be.

But wait, there's more!

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by: PhoenixRising @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 14:40:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You inspired me to go to the Obama website and send this:

As a frequent supporter to (soon to be President) Obama's campaign, and as a gay American I am writing to urge the Senator to loudly and often speak out against the ballot issues here in California and elsewhere which would write a ban against gay marriage into the constitution of this state.  

I would hope...nay, not hope, but expect that Senator Obama could at least match if not exceed the statement of our REPUBLICAN governor, who recently said:

"GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER: No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I think the Supreme Court made a decision there. It was apparently unconstitutional to stop anyone from getting married. It's like 1948, the interracial marriage, when the Supreme Court of California has, you know, decided it was unconstitutional and then later on the Supreme Court of the United States followed, I think 10 or 12 years later. So I think it is, it's good that California lead--is leading in this way. I personally believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. But at the same time I think that my, you know, belief, I don't want to force on anyone else, so I think we should stay with the decision of the Supreme Court and move forward. There are so many other more important issues that we have to address in California. So I think to spend any time on this initiative I think is a waste of time."

Can Senator Obama stand up for basic human rights for all?  Yes he can.  The question is "will he?"

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by: Paul In SF @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 09:57:14 AM CDT

Very well written, thank you n/t

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même merde.

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by: TechBear @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 10:05:27 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm not a fan of Arnold

and I've never voted for him, but I did send a message of thanks and props to him right after the 5/15 decision was announced. While others were screaming about judicial activism, he clearly and in very few words managed to sum up the role of the judiciary and say that he fully supported the court. I remember thinking at the time that everyone should be required to take the same classes we force on immigrants before they get their citizenship.

Cause any fool knows, a dog needs a home; a shelter from pigs on the wing

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by: QueerInSoCal @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 11:11:26 AM CDT

This is Slightly OT but

I thought I would let you know that the Democrats Abroad had a booth at the Toronto Pride both Saturday for the Dyke March and Sunday at the Pride Parade. Their booth was busy every time I went by. Great big Obama for President signs were there and carried through the crowd both days.
Canadian soldiers had a booth there too and marched in the parade on Sunday. Another little click for our history books.

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by: Fiona @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 13:03:44 PM CDT

The Obamas

Top Dems come out against Amendment 2  
Express Gay News
Friday, June 13, 2008 1:00 am
by JUAN CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

Florida Red and Blue, the political action committee organized to fight the so-called marriage protection amendment, announced two major endorsements by top Democrats, Sen. Barack Obama and Alex Sink, Florida Chief Financial Officer.
The group announced Obama's support June 10.

"We're excited that Senator Obama is opposed to Amendment 2," said Steven Gaskill, spokesman for Florida Red and Blue. "We think his opposition will cause people to look at it closely and understand its serious consequences."

Regarding Michelle Obama's speech at the DNC Gay and Lesbian Leadership Conference:

The Associated Press, using the creative and unfortunate powers of the editing pen, reported that Mrs. Obama told the crowd on Thursday evening that, "states should make their own decisions on the matter" of marriage and civil unions. But in fact, she went progressively further. What she actually said was that states should "decide for themselves how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples -- whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. "
She did not endorse the option to simply push any form of recognition to the side.

Those remarks are a far cry -- and light years ahead -- of the characterization that AP used in its reporting. Indeed, it's the (very significant) difference between hiding behind states rights and calling on states to do the right thing.

You can lead a fool to knowledge, but you can't make him think.  

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by: Dianne @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 21:49:48 PM CDT

Sacramento Bee headline - Obama opposes gay marriage ban

Finally, MSM coverage...
http://www.sacbee.com/111/stor...

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who previously said the issue of gay marriage should be left up to each state, has announced his opposition to a California ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriages.

"And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states," Obama wrote.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 01:15:02 AM CDT

Sac Bee: Obama news (Thanks Karen)

It is getting better.  The letter that the Bee referred to is mentioned above in CPTDoom's comment.  

These statements have a tendency to creep out to the press.  Hopefully we will be treated to an actual sound byte / video clip of Obama's remarks instead of having to rely solely upon a letter that was sent to a gay political club in San Francisco to recognize Pride.  

I won't go overboard with criticism because this does show progress in a positive direction.  But I also will not become effusive with praise because the progress is timid.  

Also, I love how the Bee frames this like it is a change in Obama's viewpoint when actually it is a clarification.  They say that Obama "previously said it should be left up to the states" like that means the states should amend against marriage instead of...gasp...choosing to allow marriage.  

Like leaving it up to the states must automatically equate to the states denying equal protections to same-sex families instead of deciding to support constitutional theory (and the courts decision) by defeating ballot box discrimination.

Just to balance out the half step forward taken by Obama in the letter to the club, today he will speak to the Xtian Fundies in Ohio today to promote his support of the faith based initiative programs started by Bush (funded by many millions of tax payer dollars).

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes...

Anyway....don't look behind the curtain...have faith...or at least pretend to...until the next half step forward, full step back arises.

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by: Patrick @ Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 09:58:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]