Heads up Queers: Elizabeth Birch Joins Dean for America as Senior Advisor

[foreigncorrespondent]

Dean for America has announced that Elizabeth Birch, a national civil rights leader, former Silicon Valley executive and noted lawyer, has joined the campaign as a senior advisor beginning today. Until recently Birch led the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and HRC Foundation, the nation's largest GLBT advocacy organization.

"Governor Dean has lived his principles of inclusion by treating the gay community of America with respect and fairness. But just as important, I am also confident that on a broad range of policy issues and approaches from the economy to health care and the management of our international relations, he has the best long-term prescription for a healthy America, domestically and abroad," Birch said.

"Elizabeth has been a long-time friend and a great leader in our nation, and I am extremely pleased to have her aboard," Governor Dean said. "Elizabeth will be a valuable advisor on many policy issues and a key strategist on multiple fronts for the campaign."

More... http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=9&id=1801

Wow! I knew she had left HRC to pursue something else, but I had no idea it was to join the Dean campaign.

This is a brilliant move by the Dean campaign. It is a sure fire way of getting the gay community right behind him for the primaries and then of course (if he makes it) to the presidential election.

[Hoppin_Mad]

1. Great news for all Dean supporters - thanks ! -eom

[slinkerwink]

2. great news!

the more, the merrier!

[cprise]

3. Wow... great news!

Birch has a great resume, like many of the HRC leaders before her.

The Dean campaign will be able to respond strategically to Bush's Constutional Amendmend threat.

[bitchkitty]

4. Thanks, I needed that!

All the Dean endorsements have been great, but I especially like it when they're not just famous, but accomplished!

[AP]

5. Was she at HRC when they endorsed Al Damato over Chuck Schumer?

Lisa Duggan's The Twilight of Equality discusses HRC. It isn't very flattering.

[dsc]

6. She was

but she wasn't solely responsible for endorsments.

[AP]

7. dsc, are you familiar with duggan's arguments about HRC and A. Sullivan?

[Dookus]

9. I stopped my ongoing support

of the HRC after they endorsed D'Amato over Schumer. I thought it was ridiculous, especially during an election in which the senate was up for grabs.

They also endorsed Bill Clinton right after he signed the Defense of Marriage Act. I thought they should've declined to endorse anybody in that situation.

But the D'Amato thing put me over the edge. I've been done with the HRC for years.

But good for Dean. Birch is otherwise a fine woman.

[revcarol]

8. Better late than never, I guess.

Dean has been running for two years.

we shall see.