Why Obama's Gospel Tour won't Hurt him One Bit

[Bullet1987]

DU is never a good place to do a litmus test on America when it comes to something religious...since there are so many anti-religion people that post here. I, for one, like all of those singers he'll be with even though I don't agree with a lot of their political views. But even though half of DU is enraged, this won't have nearly the level of impact on the national stage that it does here. There are MANY religious/spiritual Democrats...probably moreso than the anti-religion/atheist types anyway.

Good move OBAMA!!!

[Clintonista2]

1. Yup, because it's all about getting the most votes right?

Who gives a fuck about Obama selling his soul to the RW, so long as it doesnt hurt him politically?

[Bullet1987]

3. Since when the fuck is being religion...RIGHT-WING??

[Clintonista2]

6. Calling homosexuality a "curse", declaring a "war on homosexuality"...

That is not "religion" buddy, that's RIGHT WING.

[Bullet1987]

9. Fact is, it wouldn't matter what religious person Obama showed up with

...because he would still be attacked on DU. It is ANTI-RELIGION point blank...period!

[incapsulated]

10. Bullshit

Look, I have defended Obama on his faith thing.

This doesn't have anything to do with it.

But it sure as hell doesn't help.

And neither are you, if you are saying we can't call someone a bigot and a homophobe because he is pastor, fuck that noise.

[MADem]

12. He'd be a hit with the Dalai Lama, easily, or Bishop Desmond Tutu. NT

[Tellurian]

23. Obama would make a better Pastor than a President

I think we can agree on that.

[redqueen]

44. That's a joke, right?

:wtf:

[pnwmom]

51. I'm Catholic, and I don't mind at all that Obama has religious convictions

and associations. But I don't want a Presidential candidate to endorse homophobia, which he appears to be doing now.

[JackRiddler]

36. Don't misunderstand my quibbling over terms -

for I agree with you in spirit. But it's not "right wing" - it's just WRONG.

[MethuenProgressive]

62. Imagine if Hillary was connected to Homophobic Bigotry? DU would EXPLODE!

But it's Barack - so it's all just peachy-keen and neat-o.

[Ethelk2044]

81. Being that you said that. Bill was with Donnie on stage on 9/15/07

where was your outrage. Where was DU outrage. We did not hear a peep out of anyone here on DU because Bill was on stage with Donnie. Google Andrew Young 75th birthday. Why didn't Bill push for Donnie to be uninvited? DAMN him. Guilt by Association. Hillary should get rid of Bill because he appeared on stage with Donnie.

[ronnykmarshall]

108. Still trying to defend Obama buy using the ABC I see.

Always
Blame
Clinton

[cuke]

128. I call it "The ABC's of reactionaries"

[pnwmom]

49. When it is homophobic, it is right wing.

There are plenty of religions and denominations that are not either.

[tomreedtoon]

14. Welcome to real-world politics, Junior.

Yes, he's appearing with anti-gay people. Yes, he's showing that Democrats can have some common ground with religious folks. Perhaps you'd prefer another Democratic candidate to stick to ideals that are easy for the Republicans to mock, so that the Party will have a three-peat loss to the REAL barbarians.

You ever think that, once he's in the room, he might preach something they haven't heard from their pulpits in a while...tolerance?

[Bullet1987]

16. This is exactly what I'm talking about...

...since when is being RELIGIOUS the same thing as being ANTI-GAY??

[tomreedtoon]

20. Well, I'm sure it seems that way to a lot of gays.

Remember, most of their lives their biggest oppressors have been the religious. Most of the gays I've known became Wiccans, because they want spirituality without a formal religion or any organization with political power. And also because organized religion hurt them so badly.

This despite a Protestant church I heard of years ago, called the "Metropolitan Church," which supposedly was open and inviting to gays. I think they dropped off the map.

I don't blame gays for being paranoid about religion, any more than I blame black people for feeling uneasy at the approach of a bunch of Southern-accented white guys. In this situation, I think the gays are losing at least as much as the religions; it's a bad situation for everyone all around.

[greeneyedboy]

67. alive & well

You're probably thinking of http://www.mccsf.org/sermons.html/">Metropolitan Community Church AKA the http://www.mccchurch.org">UFMCC. According to their website there are 300-some of them world wide, with some on every continent. AFAIK the denomination is alive & well (& unfortunately still necessary).

[pnwmom]

50. Why can't he find common ground with religious folks who aren't homophobic?

There are plenty of them, no matter what the right wing wants you to believe. For example, the Southern Baptists are homophobic, but the American Baptists are not.

[NMMNG]

85. Yeah, right

And if, say, Hillary went on tour with the KKK she'd get a bunch of white-supremacists in her audience and then start preaching about the evils of hating black people. Dream on.

Obama knows exactly what McClurkin is, what sort of crowd he draws, and he doesn't give a damn. All he cares about is winning votes from the evangelicals. Screw GLBTs, because we're just a minority that can easily be sacrificed.

[Inspired]

76. That is an absurd comment coming from a Hillary supporter. n/t

[incapsulated]

2. Except this has nothing to do with religion

Unless you are claiming that all Christians are anti-gay and on a "war against homosexuality"?

Is that what you are saying?

[Bullet1987]

7. This has everything to do with religion...

And no, I KNOW not all Christians are anti-gay...but you can't tell that to half the people on DU who thinks any Dem that says "Faith" is pandering to the right-wing.

[incapsulated]

8. But they aren't angry about the gospel tour

They aren't even angry about the whole religious aspect of it, and I have argued about exactly that with many.

This is about one man. And his homophobia.

[killbotfactory]

27. Before this people were angry with Obama using religious metaphors in Church

Did you miss the whole "kingdom of God" nonsense?

[redqueen]

46. Nuance. FAR fewer people were upset about his religious stuff before...

now watch while the numbers of people upset about his touring with a hatemonger fly through the roof.

You'll soon see how different the two situations really are.

[MADem]

13. The gospel tour idea is fine; it's the homophobic headliner that's the problem. NT

[pnwmom]

52. Your arguments don't make sense unless you think all Christians are homophobic.

Otherwise, this has nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with Obama choosing to let a homophobe campaign for him.

[spag68]

4. I'm not anti religion

However religion has no place in the Govt, Just practical fair decision making.

[eallen]

133. As an atheist, I like Obama's views about religion and government.

He strongly supports the separation of church and state, and says that when believers bring their views to the larger political table, they need to phrase those views in secular terms and argue them on secular grounds.

:hippie:

[ruggerson]

5. Why are you conflating being anti homophobia with being anti religious?

n/t

[rodeodance]

15. Bingo

[redqueen]

43. Good question. n/t

[MADem]

11. Oh, I think it's a problem.

My cousin who donates to his campaign every month, faithfully, and volunteers on his campaign in a key primary state has a much-loved gay brother. This is not gonna go over well unless there's a disavowal action...

[goclark]

17. I agree ~ if every Democratic politician decided to never appear

with anyone that disagreed with their values they should be Rethugs because that is what they do.

The Chimp only has "suits" that look exactly like him in all his photo ops.

He even monitors the one African American that usually is over his left shoulder.

He NEVER meets anyone with different views without saying something inappropriate to them.

Yes, Obama can and should be in the presents of those that may have different views than he does.

Until GW stole office, that's what made America great!

[Cameron27]

21. I will oppose any politician who

thinks that any type of bigotry is just a "different point of view."

[Bluebear]

29. Democrats should meet with homophobes because they have different views??

Wow. Wow.

[sniffa]

31. they shouLd embrace skinheads too

and what the heck, nambLa hasn't backed anyone yet, have they?

[Bluebear]

32. Yes, they should be in their "presents" too.

We must meet with those whose views differ from ours, else we are just like Bush.

[sniffa]

35. i Love DUers

i had no idea that obama peopLe are the new hiLLary peopLe.

[Odin2005]

98. If politicians refused to associate with anyone who disagreed with them democracy wouldn't function.

Everybody believes something that someone else will find evil or repulsive. I know a lot of people who are very progressive on economic issues yet are socially conservative. Do those people deserve to be called evil scum to be reviled and ostracized from society just because they don't agree with social liberals like ourselves?

[NMMNG]

40. You're right

Hillary should tour with a few members of the KKK. Screw what black people think. Different views is what made America great. :sarcasm:

[Bluebear]

58. The Neo-Nazis deserve a place at the table too. Their views should be heard.

Otherwise, we're just like George Bush. :sarcasm:

[LeftyMom]

75. Maybe he can do an appearance with a flat earther next.

:eyes:

What a crock of shit.

[oasis]

18. Obama's Gospel Tour: The political equivalent of a "hail Mary pass".

No pun intended.

[durrrty libby]

19. It will hurt him. Very poor judgment

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

22. The Obama campaign may survive it, but Obama's standing on DU will never be

the same way after today, thanks to the highly destructive behavior of some of his ostensible supporters.

There have been some real stand-out Obama supporters who have conducted themselves wonderfully today.

Unfortunately, a lot of other Obama supporters have essentially trashed their own guy on DU with precisely this sort of ass-backwards "defense."

Some have been so jaw-droppingly offensive that I sincerely hope they are trolls from competing campaigns or something... how could anyone embrace Obama as a vehicle of hope and then embrace the kind of acid cynicism on display today?

[Cameron27]

25. "jaw-droppingly offensive "

Yep, a few of them sure have been that.

[incapsulated]

26. I actually think they responded with restraint compared to..

The unreal shit I was reading on Kos.

My god, we talk about drinking koolaide here.

[MonkeyFunk]

24. No, nationally it won't hurt him...

but it will damage him in the Democratic primaries.

[Bluebear]

28. "Atheist types". Yeah, screw them. And the gay types, too.

As long as Obama wins nationally. That's all that matters....

[denem]

30. Not your type

Yeah, I got the message about where the "New Politics" train was going too.

[bcoylepa]

33. in his own words

I'm going to wait for him to speak out on this himself - I do not think we help the progressive cause by jumping on this- Obama must have a reason and before we crucify him - let him speak

"While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect."
~ Barack Obama

[Cobalt Violet]

34. Stupid move Obama!

Just like your Obama-Hatch tithing bill was a stupid move.

[trotsky]

37. As others have already CLEARLY pointed out, but you choose to ignore...

this is NOT an "anti-religion" stance. It is a PRO-RIGHTS stance. Obama is embracing a known bigot and homophobe in his quest to pand... I mean secure votes. If this were any other candidate, you'd probably be by my side in disgust. But because he's your guy, you leap to his defense AND smear people who oppose HOMOPHOBES as being "anti-religion/atheist types". Fuck that.

[Solon]

57. Damn right! Pro-Rights and Pro-Dignity, this MFer smears religious people who AREN'T homophobic...

as being anti-religion. I cannot believe the sheer gall it takes to create such a huge fucking broad brush.

[wndycty]

38. I agree with you about this not hurting as much as it helps with the Black vote BUT I STILL DON'T...

. . .DON'T LIKE IT AND I THINK HE SHOULD DROP McClurkin.

[denem]

39. (self delete - posted)

[NMMNG]

41. Yes, you have to watch out for those atheist types

Those gay types are even worse. And the gaytheist types--I don't even want to think about them. :sarcasm:

Bigoted much?

[Bullet1987]

54. Maybe I should ask all of you anti-religion people the same?

[Bluebear]

59. Are the "anti-religion" people touring to "convert" you?

[NMMNG]

64. I wouldn't know

I'm not an anti-religion person. Maybe you should go ask an anti-religion person. :shrug:


BTW. Are all religious people the same? :popcorn:

[Forkboy]

42. That's complete and utter shash.

Good move OBAMA!!! ?????

That speaks VOLUMES about you.

[Stop Cornyn]

45. I really, really like Obama, but don't piss on my head and tell me it's raining. This is a mistake.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

48. I think so too. I've contacted his campaign and asked them to respond to it.

Basically, this looks like much ado about very little. The guy performed at a gospel tour for Obama. We have no idea if Obama was aware of his views or even knows the guy very well. Given Obama's support for gay rights and good voting record on GLBT issues, we should give him the benefit of the doubt on this.

[Ediacara]

138. Yes we do

"We have no idea if Obama was aware of his views or even knows the guy very well."

There was a huge backlash several days before with a lot of people urging Obama to can the "ex-gay" homophobe that he hired to perform and emcee on his behalf.

Instead of canning McClurkin (the bigot in question), he hires a gay minister as if that makes it all better.

Obama and his campaign were well aware of McClurkin's stances and did everything he could to talk one way and walk the other.

[IndianaJones]

47. I tend to agree with you. nt.

[pnwmom]

53. How can you say this is a good move? There were unlimited ways to

strengthen his associations with people of faith, without connecting himself to and appearing to endorse a known homophobe. There's nothing about homophobia that is essential to religion, nothing at all. In fact, many would say that it is the OPPOSITE of Christianity, where the second commandment is to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR.

[Bullet1987]

55. Like I said, this will not nearly hurt Obama nationally as much as

it will maybe on DU and other sites like it. I won't even say it'll hurt him as bad during the primaries as it will on DU.

[pnwmom]

80. That may well be true, but why hurt himself with any Democrats at all

when he could have strengthened his ties with people of faith while avoiding connections with creeps like this?

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bullet1987]

60. READ WHAT THE FUCK I'M WRITING!!!

I'm saying many of the people who are attacking Obama because of his gospel tour are being that way because THEY'RE ANTI-RELIGIOUS!!! Not ALL of them, but MANY of them are. Hence me bringing up the fact that whenever Obama mentions faith...people get upset. It's because THEY'RE anti-religious. I'm defending Obama and his decision...shit.

[Bluebear]

61. Yeah, frankly, his decision does shit on gay "types".

But as long as it doesn't hurt him, one bit, GOOD MOVE OBAMA! :silly:

[Solon]

63. Here's a dollar, I'll buy a clue for you, you ready?

I'm against having McCloset as part of this damned tour, and if Obama doesn't kick his ass to the curb, then he deserves derision as well. I fucking hate bigots, period. I don't give a fuck what they use as an excuse for their bigotry, to defend either McCloset or saying Obama did the right thing here is fucking atrocious and legitimizes bigotry. This cannot stand, no matter what.

[Bullet1987]

65. Well I'm not running so I can say what the hell I want...

Like I said, this won't hurt Obama nationally one bit :beer: :headbang:

[Bluebear]

66. And we can recognize your character for what it is.

[Forkboy]

68. yeah...absent.

:)

[Bluebear]

69. You said it.

[Solon]

70. McCloset actually advocates for the torture of people to "convert" them to be straight, and you...

celebrate that it doesn't hurt Obama. I have no words.

[NMMNG]

73. I have words

They're just not fit to print here.

[NMMNG]

71. Buy a clue

People are not attacking Obama and his gospel tour because they are anti-religious. They are attacking him because he's touring with a flaming homophobe. There's a big difference.

[Bluebear]

74. Word.

[Maven]

72. Yeah, nice try.

[Bullet1987]

77. Are you guys denying that there are anti-religion people on DU

that are hopping all over this topic? If you say no, then obviously you haven't read all the threads regarding this.

[illinoisprogressive]

78. It simply shows that obama has compassion for someone who suffered terribly as a child

as a result he is not going to judge him.

[Bluebear]

79. Many neonazis had poor home training, should we put them on stage out of compassion?

[opiate69]

82. Is that you, Zandor???

[Hell Hath No Fury]

83. I am a DEEPLYspiritual DUer...

who is completely turned off by Obama's inclusion of this bigot in his event. :mad: As someone who was raised as a Christian, it disgusts me that Obama would associate himself with someone who uses my religion to advocate against GLBT people.

[swimboy]

84. THANK YOU!

A very clear and unambiguous statement that I hope will stand in defiance of the text torturers.

:thumbsup:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

86. I have been positively...

floored by some of what I have read here on this situation. As if there is any defense for this. :banghead:

[sampsonblk]

87. I think it will actually benefit Obama in the short term

It brings attention to his campaign, which sorely needs it. It solidifies his connection with the black community, if he sticks with the tour despite the complaints. And if he refuses to dump that one singer, then I think he will gain a lot of respect in the black church community.

Just my opinion.

[Bluebear]

88. And he will lose the support of the GLBT community. If that's worth it, have at it.

[Solon]

89. Don't bother with that poster, they believe that all Christians either are or should be homophobes.

Fucked up, I know, but beyond help.

[Bluebear]

91. I see. He is actually GLEEFUL that this will help Obama.

[sampsonblk]

99. No, and actually, I am for Clinton

I accept your apology.

[Bluebear]

100. I could care less who you are for, you gleefully say this will help Obama. And NO apology.

[sampsonblk]

101. Actually, it was just an analysis

All the emotion, including my purported glee, came from you.

My analysis is accurate, I believe. So I will stand by it.

[terrya]

96. Apparently, he doesn't care if he loses that support.

Actions speak louder than words.

[Chovexani]

109. Please understand that "black" and "gay" are not mutually exclusive

And he's pissed off most of the black GLBT community. And he hasn't by any means solidified shit with the larger black community, not when he's bringing in white pastors to cover his ass.

You know, at this point I'm not even pissed with Obama, I'm more pissed with his koolaid drinking contingent whose logic contortions make Cirque du Soleil look like arthritic octogenarians.

(Before you dismiss me as a Clintonite, I'm for Kucinich.)

[IndianaJones]

90. bigoted hateful posts stay around.....I wonder why? nt.

[Solon]

92. Its better that everyone sees this hate displayed than to hide it and let it fester. n/t

[IndianaJones]

93. I agree...but my smartass comments should stay around too, so everyone can see...

how clever I am.

[Bluebear]

94. That goes without saying.

[IndianaJones]

95. They get deleted, yet this insidious crap OP remains. nt.

[Totally Committed]

97. This isn't about religion, it's about homohobia.

With all due respect, you're wrong.

But, while I'm at it, I am against courting sects on "religious" grounds for political campaigns. Seperation of Church and State is getting more and more difficult to maintain because of all this cow-towing to religious groups for votes. It's cynical and it hurts democracy. ANd, it gives us totally sucky Presidents!

TC

[CyberPieHole]

102. This is NOT about religion...IT'S ABOUT BIGOTRY AND HOMOPHOBIA.

Yes, Donnie may have a wonderful voice (personally, I gagged when I heard him sing), but he is an offensive and despicable bigot and homophobe. If this is helpful for Obama perhaps he will court the right-to-lifers next? Followed by the NRA? Why stop with one offensive mistake?

He's lost my support.

[Karenina]

103. Make no mistake...

Obama did himself damage with this one. Separation of Church and State is a very fine principle.

[sampsonblk]

105. Jesse Jackson is a preacher

Never was an issue.

The black church is an important breeding ground for aspiring politicians and public figures.

[CreekDog]

104. Politically, pissing off the left side of the party usually helps a candidate

Sistah Souljah helped Clinton because it made Jesse Jackson mad.

Obama is trying to go after the Rick Warren crowd (wikipedia him). These are primarily evangelical Christians who are fairly conservative, but there is a segment that is open to voting for a Democrat. They are very touchy feely people, I know this circle, and their feel for a candidate is a really big deal. If they "feel" that Obama gets Jesus, even if just by who Obama has at his rallies, they might vote for him and it could be critical in purple/red states.

That said, I'm not saying anyone who was offended does not matter or that they are less important --I'm saying what's going on. He's not saying he's one of them, he's saying he can relate to what they relate to.

[Bluebear]

106. So, Gobama! Go Jesus! And you whiny gays, STFU. In other words.

[CreekDog]

107. no i didn't say that (and i'm not a supporter)

please don't put words in my mouth

[ulysses]

111. no.

If the Sistah Souljah incident helped Clinton, it was because it appealed to white southerners, not because it "made Jesse Jackson mad".

[CreekDog]

112. ...which appealed to white southerners nt

[ulysses]

113. which is what I said. a question -

is it right?

[CreekDog]

114. this was the quote that got clinton into trouble and got him praise

In response to Sister Souljah's quote:

"If Black people kill Black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people?"

Clinton said:
"If you took the words ‘white’ and ‘black’ and you reversed them, you might think David Duke was giving that speech."

No, there wasn't anything wrong with what he said and he said it in a way that it was clearly an opinion, yet one that was hard to argue with. Anyway, Clinton confronting Sister Souljah for her remark is exactly what many folks here would like Obama to do to McClurkin.

So, it was the right thing to do (criticize something totally appropriate to criticize), but it appears that he had alterior motives knowing the political gain it would produce. So, it was the motives rather than the substance that was suspect.

But that wasn't what I was getting at anyway. My point was that all these politicians who are going to have any chance to win are going to play these games to the extent their conscience lets them and still win. I'm saying that since all Obama's opponents if they are to have any chance of winning, would calculate not so much based on right/wrong on the McClurkin matter, but on expediency. It would be one thing had this reflected an actual policy shift on Obama's part --but it doesn't.

Thus my position has not changed. It is fine to be angry about this issue, but to let it affect one's vote when there are better ways to judge Obama's positions on LGBT makes it not the best way to decide for/against a candidate.

I cringed when Al Gore stated his position on Elian Gonzales, when Hillary pandered in her 2000 senate race regarding an issue in NYC, but I still thought they were excellent candidates and I still think Obama is a very good candidate, though he's not running as smooth a campaign operation right now.

[ileus]

110. because he's not going to be the nominee anyway...

[Cass]

115. Come on, this is not about being anti-religion.

This is about a democratic presidential candidate knowingly turning his back on a whole bunch of people just to snag some votes. He took a core group of this party and threw them under the bus in an effort to pander to bigots. I find that incredibly offensive. What if he had invited a white supremacist to emcee the event? Or what if he had a speaker who said women are not equal to men? To me, its all the same. Gay people don't deserve this crap and it sickens me that Obama was OK with someone getting up onstage and spewing homophobic comments like that.

For the record, I'm straight but I'm a lifelong democrat and this is not what I expect from our party, and I certainly don't expect it from someone running for president on the democratic ticket.

[NMMNG]

116. We've been through that dozens of times before

All you're going to hear from the Obama worshipers is But Hillary did it toooooooo.

Thank you, though, for your support. :hi:

[Cass]

118. Some of the excuses about this make my head spin.

Its not right and there's no excuse. This whole thing sucks.

[Zenlitened]

117. "Anti-religion/atheist type" here, checking in.

:hi:

Don't mind me, I'll just make myself comfortable here under the bus. Again.

:eyes:

(Man, this is going to be a loooong election, and the primaries are just the start. Wait till the general election campaign is fully under way: The god-mongering from the Democratic and the Repuke candidates -- not to mention the anti-FSM types here on DU -- is going to be gut-wrenching.)

[CyberPieHole]

119. Anti-religion/Atheist here....

is there any room left under the bus?:hi:

[sampsonblk]

120. Two weeks later: this was a non-story in the real world

Still no sign of any apology from Obama. Still no sign of any major Dems publicly picking up this issue to run with.

Edit: typos and diction.

[Bluebear]

121. 'edit: diction' ....you pronounced something wrong?

Oh, and this IS a real-world story to gay people, something you don't care about,

[Bullet1987]

122. Why was this thread bumped?

Jeezus!

[Bluebear]

124. How would I know? Ask sampsonblk

[sampsonblk]

134. No, ask Ask CyberPieHole - nt

[sampsonblk]

123. Whatever

Don't blame me, I didn't appear with the guy. It was Obama.

[Bluebear]

125. "Whatever"...the fact that GLBT still feel the sting of this, & you dismiss it as a non-event.

Whatever.

[sampsonblk]

126. Don't get all emotional on me

I call it a non-event based on factors that have nothing to do with your feelings.

1. There is no continued media coverage. That tells me the media doesn't believe its a big story, and no one in any of the campaigns is pressing them to continue covering it.

2. The other candidates have not picked up the issue to use against Obama. Probably because they'd like to be in his shoes.

3. Obama has not felt compelled to make a big public apology. That tells me that eithr he doesn't believe it hurt his campaign, or he doesn't believe its worthwhile to try to repair any damage.

That adds up to a non-story.

[Bullet1987]

127. Well, to be fair the media did talk about it for a couple days

but from what I saw...it was never in a highly negative way. Not like what's been said on sites like DU and liberal blogs.

[sampsonblk]

131. I agree absolutely. - nt

[NMMNG]

130. Well, sampsonblk has declared it a non-event

I guess we can all relax now. :sarcasm:

[sampsonblk]

132. Thanks

I hadn't had a good laugh since this morning when my dog ate my breakfast.

[Bluebear]

135. "Obama has not felt compelled to make a big public apology."

That tells me he could give a shit about it.

[sampsonblk]

136. I wouldn't go that far

I think he sold out the gay community for the black vote. Whether he has any remorse or not...well I would like to think so.

[yardwork]

129. Are you equating religion with homophobia? That's going to insult a lot of religious people here.

In fact, your post is a broad-brush attack on many DUers.

[Ediacara]

137. So throwing gays AND atheists under the bus is the best way to win

Why doesn't he save himself some time and register as a Republican? He's using their playbook!