Gay Iowa caucus goers: economy first, LGBT rights on back burner, and DADT repeal was a ‘gimme’

[xchrom]

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/01/03/gay-iowa-caucus-goers-economy-first-lgbt-rights-on-back-burner-and-dadt-repeal-was-a-gimme/

Over at the Washington Blade, Chris Johnson has a story up, “Young, gay caucus-goers talk politics, support for GOP” that is just another reminder that the information gap between LGBT activists, citizen journalists, traditional media and the average LGBT citizen out there is sometimes a canyon. Johnson interviews several Iowa caucus attendees who are also gay and asked them about their priorities in selecting a candidate to support.

As Republicans, you expect them to find a way to support members of the GOP Clown Car — and they draw the line at those pols who are specifically riding in on an anti-gay social agenda (save one interviewee, Bryan Pulda, 21, who is still considering Rick Perry, of all people).

Candidates like former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, Texas Gov. Rick Perry or Rep. Michele Bachmann, who make anti-gay rhetoric a foundation of their campaigns, are turn-offs as potential candidates.

Peterson said he wouldn’t support a candidate who would make social issues a “central tenet of their campaign.

“I’m a Republican, but I’m not stupid,” [Romney supporter C.J.] Peterson said. “If they want to use those issues as a wedge to get voters to support them, I’m not really attracted to that.”

But some of the comments that follow are politically disheartening. Anyone who has followed the Blend, the Blade or any of the blogs and media covering the advance and setbacks in LGBT rights knows that the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was not a “gimme” or foregone conclusion. From the Obama administration dragging its feet, to the HRC playing a sadly passive role in pressuring for action until after GetEqual and activists directly involved in repeal efforts brought the fight to allow open service into the media spotlight the ups and downs were well chronicled.

Now take this view of DADT repeal expressed by gay Iowan caucus-goer:

Peterson took a dig at Obama, saying he’s been paying lip service to the LGBT community and that one of his major accomplishments — repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — “just kind of came to him.”

“It was basically Senators [Susan Collins] and Joe Lieberman who said they were getting this done at the end of the year,” Peterson said. “What ended up happening is a great victory for us in the sense that LGBT Americans can now serve their country in uniform. That’s a great thing, but I don’t really credit that to President Obama.”

Yes, the Obama administration does deserve credit for finally pushing it through after the Pentagon report was issued, but the repeal didn’t “just kind of come to him.” I have no idea where this revisionist thinking is coming from, but it isn’t what the record shows. Perhaps Peterson should also tune into HBO’s “The Strange History Of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” for a little primer on recent history.



*** usually i agree w/ pam spaulding 100% -- she and i part company on obama & dadt -- i have to go w/ peterson on this.

[BR_Parkway]

1. “I’m a Republican, but I’m not stupid” - LOL, thanks for the laugh first thing this am

[William769]

2. Recommended.