Gay Clinton Backers Defect to Obama, Eroding Another Bastion Of Support

[Purveyor]

Feb. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Hillary Clinton cemented years of goodwill with gays in 2000, when she walked in New York's Pride Parade.

``Having the first lady march was enormously powerful,'' said Representative Barney Frank, one of two openly gay members of Congress. ``I've never seen such a strong emotional outpouring.''

Now some gay voters, who have been among Clinton's most stalwart supporters and helped her defeat Barack Obama in Democratic presidential primaries earlier this month, may be drifting toward the Illinois senator, according to political activists and campaign officials.

``Clinton probably is still a little bit ahead of Obama among leadership in the community,'' said Steve Elmendorf, a Clinton supporter and lobbyist with ties to the gay and lesbian communities. ``They have a longer and deeper relationship with her than Obama, but he has a good record,'' said Elmendorf, deputy campaign manager for Democrat John Kerry's 2004 presidential bid.

``Obama has presented more detailed position papers on gay and lesbian issues than Clinton,'' said David Mixner, 61, a writer and activist who helped longtime friend Bill Clinton win over the homosexual vote during the 1992 presidential race and who supported both of Hillary Clinton's successful Senate races in New York.

---EOE---

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a_wG4hPI71wU&refer=us

[babylonsister]

1. "Obama has presented more detailed position papers on gay and lesbian issues than Clinton"

Man, you'd never know that from some of the threads around here.

GOBAMA!

[liberalnurse]

2. Oh I don't believe that.

They are only going for the food, fun and frolic of the parties. They will always back Hillary.

[UALRBSofL]

5. I don't believe it either

Because I know both Obama and Clinton's positions and I favor Clinton's over Obama's.

[Occam Bandage]

6. The only gay-rights position in which they differ is that Obama wants DOMA fully repealed,

while Clinton wants to preserve the section that prevents states from recognizing gay marriages that occur in other states.

There is an argument that doing this would prevent individual states from issuing mini-DOMAs that might be worse. I do not buy this argument.

[UALRBSofL]

11. I have heard Hillary in a rally say

She believed in "same sex marriage" and that would be one of her top agendas in trying to impliment. I have never heard Obama say that.

[GodlessBiker]

16. Wow. That's cool. Is that on her web site?

[Occam Bandage]

24. It isn't, and I can't find any reference to any such statement on The Google.

[mckeown1128]

19. I am pretty sure isn't for same sex marriage. nt

[Occam Bandage]

23. Perhaps you misheard. I can find no reference to such a statement anywhere,

and it seems she's always been very careful not to make any firm statement on that either way. Given the enormous coverage that her maybe-sorta-never-mind posturing on NY's same-sex-marriage push, I find it hard to believe that such a declaration stayed under the radar.

I'm betting you misinterpreted her boilerplate about "equality" of marriage, in which she says that she wants civil unions to have the same benefits of marriage; Obama wants the same.

[cali]

9. She's done. They know it.

and so does everyone but a bunch of dead ender Hillary fans.

[judaspriestess]

36. those "dead enders" you despise

are also fellow democrats who you don't know squat about besides spewing hate over the computer at them.
There is really no need for the name calling.

amazing when computers become bully pulpits for some.

[Prism]

37. Nice anti-gay insult

You know, if this kind of stereotype was brought out in defense of Obama, people would leap on it. There'd be whole threads about the homophobia of it all.

Those silly, frivolous gays. Just interested in the parties. Couldn't possibly be earnest or informed in their political choices.

And yet, crickets from the gay Clinton supporters who have never been shy in calling out even the most innocous comments for their perceived homophobia.

Interesting, that. Very.

[Zachstar]

38. WTF?

Ive seen some messed up posts from you liberalnurse but this one just left me speechless.

What?

[racaulk]

39. "the food, fun and frolic of the parties."

Here, I think you dropped this:

[AndyA]

3. Of course, there's still that McClurkin thing.

Allowing someone to preach about praying to be "cured of homosexuality" at an official function is insulting.

And Barack has done nothing to clear that up.

[Prefer]

4. The onbly thing you can fault him for is that

he tries his best to be all things to all people.

I am happy with the GLBT endorsement. I think it was well needed and well appreciated.

[mtnester]

7. He got the GLBT endoresement?

Where?

He has supporters who are gay, but the entire GLBT community has not endorsed him.

[AndyA]

33. It's not the only thing.

But it's important to me.

I also fault Barack for his stance on impeachment. He has stated that Bush and Cheney haven't committed any "grave breaches of authority."

:wtf:

Starting a war based on lies isn't a grave breach of authority?

Lying to Congress and the American people isn't a grave breach of authority?

Barack Obama:
"I think you reserve impeachment for grave, grave breaches, and intentional breaches of the president's authority..."

I wonder just exactly what a grave breach of authority is to Barack Obama. And do I want him in the White House thinking he can pull the same shit without any accountability?

No thanks.

[anonymous171]

10. Did he actually pray for a cure for homosexuality

at the function?

[AndyA]

34. He preached to the audience that praying cured his homosexuality.

Like it was a disease or something.

[mopinko]

12. in the minds of some people there is that thing

most fair minded people see that for the red herring that it is.

[AndyA]

35. How about this for a red herring?

Barack Obama:
"I think you reserve impeachment for grave, grave breaches, and intentional breaches of the president's authority..."

Apparently, he doesn't think Bush and Cheney have done anything wrong.

So I guess he approves of the war based on lies, the dead troops, the outing of a covert CIA agent during a time of war, the cronyism, the corruption, the lying to Congress, etc.

Is this someone we really want in the White House? I think not.

[cloudythescribbler]

8. Reporting on developments like this is SACRILEGE in many ...

quarters on DU

[Renew Deal]

13. Jews for Hitler

:hide:

[grantcart]

14. yes and your lack of all proportion has completely destroyed your credibility on the issue

[Cha]

17. Bleachers is being

sarcastic.

[grantcart]

20. lol - need a break lol

[Cha]

25. Don't we all..

Too edge of the seat!

[Renew Deal]

21. Just having a little fun.

:evilgrin:

[grantcart]

29. got it and me lol

[stahbrett]

18. Godwin's Law strikes again (nt)

[Cha]

15. I don't see what the big deal is

with Gay Marrigage..Jeeze. But, I do understand this..

"This time, Mixner is backing Obama. The Clintons have become ``a machine, and Obama's the young reformer,'' Mixner said."

[MagsDem]

22. I know a LOT of GLBT people...

... and not a single one that supports Obama. This story is BS.

[Occam Bandage]

26. Now you know one.

:hi:

[totodeinhere]

28. Anecdotal evidence doesn't work.

If those exit polls in California and New York can believed, and it's pretty much all we have got to go on right now, that means that while Clinton carried the GLBT community in both states nevertheless thousands of GLBT's voted for Obama. And that's a lot different than "not a single one."

[MagsDem]

40. The OP claims GLBT people are deserting her in droves

I think, if that were true, I'd know at least one GLBT person that supported Obama. I call bullshit.

[Umbram]

41. You'd see more of them post their support here on DU

if they weren't attacked by other GLBT people immediately after.

Or are you suggesting that your group of friends is all you require in order to see which way the country is leaning?

[David Zephyr]

27. The hyperbolic lies by some of Clintons' gay supporters have backfired within the GLBT community.

Our GLBT community is very intelligent and informed and read and research.

The greater the exaggerated lies about Obama, the louder the false accusations against him of being homophobic, the more our community researched and learned about him. And then the tide began to turn and in a very big way for Obama.

And those that continued in spreading the hyperbolic lies and seemed to enjoy smearing a good man have only discredited themselves in the eyes of all those they lied to.

The GLBT community is, above everything else, fair-minded and don't like anyone being smeared.

David Mixner is a gay man who knows first hand what treachery can come from being loyal to the Clintons and how betrayal comes so easy to them.

The fact that Mixner is supporting Obama should tell GLBT Democrats everything that they ever, ever need to know.

This gay guy is very, very proud of Barack Obama. And even those who still don't support him will one day wish that they had.

[MagsDem]

30. David Mixner "knows first hand what treachery..."

Talk about hyperbolic lies, for god's sake. David Mixner is an alcoholic drug addicted whack brain that has alternatively bragged about his relationship with the Clinton's and then trashed them. Reality is that the Clinton's know first hand the treachery that is David Mixner.

Here's David Mixner on one of his non-benders:

"One of the things I think is important that people understand that you can have disagreements, and in those disagreements you can still have powerful alliances... labor disagrees with the president on NAFTA, but is still a strong ally," Mixner said. "Blacks might disagree with the Haitian policy and get arrested in front of the White House. And gays and lesbians can disagree with the president, especially when it comes to issues of their freedom, and still be allies. We should never, ever negotiate away our freedom for the political convenience of anybody, including friends and allies."

Give him a year and he'll be flipping out on Obama too.

GLBT people stopped paying attention to David Mixner a long time ago

[DURHAM D]

31. Amen to that - poor David.

He managed to get himself marginalized a long time ago from our community.

What is it with the Davids? First Geffen (and his mouth piece Lawrence O'Donnell) and then Mixner.

[terrya]

32. Hmmm. If gay support for Hillary is evaporating, why did Obama's campaign...

involve itself in the recent ad buy in gay magazines in Texas and Ohio?

Some gay voters may have switched to Obama. It's not some mass defection. Hillary's GLBT support is as solid as ever.

[ProSense]

42. Houston GLBT Caucus Endorses Obama

Houston GLBT Caucus Endorses Obama

by: Houston GLBT Political Caucus
Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 00:16 PM CST

( - promoted by Phillip Martin)

www.thecaucus.org

After decades of fighting for equality in the face of discrimination, the LGBT community recognizes, perhaps more profoundly than anyone, the "fierce urgency of now." We long for transformational change. We deeply desire a united country, where we can share openly and honestly with our neighbors. That is why the Houston GLBT Political Caucus is proud to join the unprecedented, diverse, hope driven coalition that is emerging across this nation to elect Senator Barack Obama President of the United States.

Despite overwhelming schedules, both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama had the humility to answer all of our tough questions, fulfilling the same process that every candidate, from precinct chair to U.S. Senator, had to complete in order to secure our endorsement. After engaging in these historic conversations, the Houston GLBT Political Caucus board has voted to endorse Barack Obama:

• Focused on Victory: Through our presidential screening process, Barack Obama and his campaign demonstrated that he's a strong campaigner with a compelling message and superior organization. As with every primary election, the Houston GLBT Political Caucus is intensely focused on victory. Our goal is to enact specific policies that include employment non-discrimination, judicial fairness for LGBT families, and marriage equality. We stand with Barack Obama because we feel he is best positioned to enable us to achieve these goals. We are confident in his ability to win the general election. The Caucus has endorsed over 40 progressive candidates in Harris County, and we believe that Barack Obama's nomination will help us win these crucial local races.

• Joining a Historic Coalition: The LGBT craves unity with our neighbors. Barack Obama has inspired young people all over this country, and we want to stand with next generation. Barack Obama has reached out to rural voters better than any progressive candidate in recent memory, and we are deeply gratified to finally join hands with our heart-land neighbors. Barack Obama has become the voice for immigrants, people of all races, workers, farmers, and the creative-class. From H.I.V. /AIDs to worker's rights, the LGBT community shares the needs and issues of minorities, people from every corner of this nation, and we trust Obama will deliver the change we all need.

• A President for Every American Family: The Caucus Screening committee had a very substantive conversation with Barack Obama. In his answers, Obama proved that he has a keen insight into LGBT issues, constitutional law, and civil rights. We know he is listening to us, and we trust that a President Obama will be a leader for all of America's families, including LGBT families.