Obama Refuses Photo with Gavin Newsom

[DemocratSinceBirth]

According to a high level Obama staffer via Ben Smith, ""He is never going to serve in our administration, and we may give San Francisco to Canada."

This was in respose to a story which appeared this morning in the San Francisco Chronicle:

"I gave a fundraiser, at his (Obama's) request at a Waterfront restaurant," said former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. "And he said to me, he would really appreciate it if he didn't get his photo taken with my mayor. He said he would really not like to have his picture taken with Gavin."

...


More from the Chronicle story: "In fact, early last year, Newsom alluded to the incident in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking to Reuters on Jan. 26, 2007, Newsom was asked about three potential Democratic candidates: Obama, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.

"One of the three Democrats you mentioned as presidential candidates, as God is my witness, will not be photographed with me, will not be in the same room with me," Newsom told Reuters, "even though I've done fundraisers for that particular person - not once, but twice - because of this issue."

Newsom who is not gay, but went on to national prominence after he supported gay marriage offered this on-record comment:



http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/2/5/113846/7811

[EVDebs]

1. "I believe in his [Obama's] leadership qualities, and I look forward to voting for him. In eight yrs

[EFerrari]

2. Boo hoo. I won't have my picture taken with Gavin

until he stops rousting homeless people and then lying about it in the press.

[AndyA]

3. Barack seems awfully pissy. Reminds me of George Bush.

I don't like that, not at all. It indicates an unwillingness to be professional and work with others.

[billbuckhead]

7. Obama seems to be a genuinely bad person

[readmoreoften]

163. I agree. His nastiness is unparalleled really. I don't get why people feel he's so "positive."

Let him be president. We'll be in for a rude awakening. Literally rude.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

235. "unparalleled"

really? he's worse than Bush??

[in_cog_ni_to]

50. But, but, but.....THAT is his whole campaign! "Working together"

"playing nice".......you mean to tell me he's lying about that too? Couldn't be. :eyes:

[katty]

53. yeah, me too - pretty hissy

[FrenchieCat]

190. So full of shit, so little time. Gavin reminds me of Rove.....

Funny thing. Whenever I hear about Gavin Newsome, it's usually during a national election.

I'm across the bay from San Francisco....and I hear not much from this man, except for once every 4 years. :shrug:

Last I heard, Newsome was able to do a guest starring role in highlighting the Gay Marriage issue in San Francisco, right early beginning in the year 2004, a General Election year.

Considering the timing, Gay marriage as always was given just about the right amount of time to be used as a Wedge and was made front center in Ohio and other states just in the nick of time for the 2004 General Election. It envigorated Republicans to come out and vote, and reinstalled Bush for 4 more years.

Gay marriage amendment goes to voters
State Supreme Court refuses to block ban from Nov. 2 ballot
http://www.southernvoice.com/2004/10-29/news/localnews/vote2.cfm

and

Voters pass all 11 bans on gay marriage
updated 4:56 p.m. PT, Wed., Nov. 3, 2004
Elated by an 11-for-11 rejection of gay marriage in state elections, conservatives Wednesday urged Congress to follow suit by approving a federal constitutional amendment that would extend the prohibition nationwide.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6383353/

Kerry/Edwards lost Ohio and with that, the General Election.
http://www.gay.com/news/roundups/package.html?sernum=1020


and so couple of years and 2 Supreme Court Justice nominations later:

Same-sex marriage ban upheld by court
(2006)
Gays and lesbians have no constitutional right to marry in California, and any change giving them that right must come from state lawmakers or the voters rather than the legal system, a state appeals court declared Thursday.

The 2-1 decision reversed a lower-court ruling in favor of plaintiffs who were among the thousands of gays and lesbians who married at San Francisco City Hall in 2004. It cleared the way for both sides to argue their case before the state Supreme Court, which will have the final say on whether the courts can give same-sex couples the right to marry.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/10/06/MNGPULK6VA1.DTL

Now, I am hearing Gavin Newsome's name again.

Has he done anything to help anyone yet? Does the Gay community really think he did them a favor?

[Cant trust em]

202. Great, another Bay Area person

are you coming to the Obama returns party at the Fairmont in SF tonight?

[FrenchieCat]

207. I should!

:thumbsup:

[Cant trust em]

208. Shit yeah. I'd love to meet some DU people there.

then we can talk shit about some of the people we've met here.

[KennedyGuy]

201. agreed..just what we Don't need..another petulant baby.

[Enrique]

234. he's quitting smoking

you ever tried that? It can make you pretty pissy.

[Clintonista2]

4. Is it just me, or is a pattern emerging?

Hmmm.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. It's just you.

[Clintonista2]

15. This guy says that he sees a pattern too:

[alcibiades_mystery]

17. It's not just you

Every Clinton asshole without a good argument yells "Kool-Aid."

It's definitely a pattern!

:hi:

[Seabiscuit]

22. A pattern has emerged and continues to emerge. nt

[rodeodance]

54. Still too much fairy dust obstructing the view--the real Obama.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Gavin Newsome & Willie Brown are both Hillary Backers since day one

Willie Brown would not give a fundraiser for Obama, period.

[Bluebear]

14. Well, shouldn't Obama be "reaching out" to them?

[Hutzpa]

84. WHAT?

reaching out to the scum of the earth, this Willie Brown;

http://www.zpub.com/sf/damayor/

You kidding right! the interesting thing here is, the type of friends that
Billary hangs around.

Very In-ter-es-ting!

[Hutzpa]

85. self delete

[Hutzpa]

90. self delete

[Marie26]

16. But he says he did

And so does Newsom. Are both SF mayors lying?

"I gave a fundraiser, at his (Obama's) request at a Waterfront restaurant," said former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. "And he said to me, he would really appreciate it if he didn't get his photo taken with my mayor. He said he would really not like to have his picture taken with Gavin."

[avaistheone1]

24. Sounds like Obama is a conservative in liberal clothing

[Marie26]

31. I've always thought so. nt

[burythehatchet]

40. You do know he is a IslamoTerrorist, don't you?

[avaistheone1]

58. Either that or a conservative.

Otherwise why not get in the photo?

[woolldog]

169. He was running

for reelection in Illinois and didn't want to alienate his more conservative constituents by posing with the super liberal Newsome.

[WhiteTara]

227. weasel

welcome to DU BTW :hi:

[rodeodance]

73. a petty conservative in liberal clothes

[MonkeyFunk]

28. except the article says he did

Do you ever get tired of being wrong?

[yardwork]

64. Are you calling Willie Brown a liar?

Brown said that he gave a fundraiser for Obama.

[BlackVelvet04]

68. He can't be civil to Hillary backers but he will

get along with republicans? How special.

[SOS]

170. An astounding editing job

From the SF Chronicle, to MYDD, to DU...
Looks like quite a bit of the original SFC article was "lost" along the way:

From the first paragraph from the SFC article:

"On the eve of the biggest night of the presidential primaries, Newsom shared the spotlight during a town hall meeting staged and broadcast on cable TV and satellite radio by the Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign."

Later in the SFC article, also edited out:

"Barack Obama gets his picture taken with gay people all the time," Hildebrand said. "Including me, his deputy campaign manager."

Also edited out:

"the mayor's endorsement of the former first lady is more likely a case of repayment of political favors."

Also edited out:

"They could attack Obama for a lot of things, but this isn't one of them," said Hildebrand. "And for this to pop up on the eve of the election is very suspicious. There's just no truth to it."

[IndieLeft]

6. According to a Obama Staffer via who?

According to my mama via santa claus.

Okay, this is pathetic. Not the poster... the article. If you can call it that.

[Marie26]

30. via Ben Smith

Haven't a clue who he is, but he's apparently a political reporter w/Politico.

This is his blog article:

"Best Served Cold" - http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0208/Best_served_cold.html

basically repeating the SF Chronicle story:

"Obama snub still rankles Newsom" - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/05/BAM5US1B5.DTL

The OP's post doesn't specify what "issue" prompted the Dem. candidate to refuse to be in the same room with him. But the Chronicle article shows that Newsom believes that it was because of his support for gay marriage.

"Today, of course, Obama's people are backpedaling away from that account like crazy. ...But insiders at City Hall, both current and former members of Newsom's staff, recall the incident well. And you can bet that Newsom hasn't forgotten it either. "He was pissed," said one former staffer.

In fact, early last year, Newsom alluded to the incident in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking to Reuters on Jan. 26, 2007, Newsom was asked about three potential Democratic candidates: Obama, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.

He was asked about the flak he took after announcing that San Francisco would allow same-sex marriages - flak that included claims he had helped Republicans by handing them a wedge issue heading into a presidential election year. In the interview, Newsom admitted he'd been hammered over the decision. "And I'm not just saying from Republicans," he added at the time.

"One of the three Democrats you mentioned as presidential candidates, as God is my witness, will not be photographed with me, will not be in the same room with me," Newsom told Reuters, "even though I've done fundraisers for that particular person - not once, but twice - because of this issue."

[Prefer]

8. He must have been afraid of Newsom's Agustus Gloop routine.

(actually it was Gloop's father that ate the mic)

[Marie26]

9. There's more of that unity in action. nt

[Bluebear]

11. 'we may give San Francisco to Canada.' Well isn't that lovely.

Eccch.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

18. Canada Is Cool

My friend, a transgendered female, was able to get married there...

[Bluebear]

20. I love Canada.

I meant the snarky quote about giving San Francisco to them was eccch. Very right wing.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

36. It Wasn't Lost On Me

"Freedom Fries"

[yardwork]

69. More "conservative family values" from Obama campaign.

Obama is campaigning against gays and against San Francisco. He's pandering to every homophobe in the country. That's not leadership.

[ronnykmarshall]

194. Charming.

[Iceburg]

197. Its part of BO's health care plan -- give San Fran to Canada. /nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

238. Maybe it's a ploy to raise SF property values. n/t

[jaysunb]

12. Why give ammunition to the GOP ?

Gavin is a good guy here in Cali, but he's got marital problems (infidelity)that reminds many of the same problems Obama's original Senate opponent...can't recall his name.
These things may seem pretty innocuous, but they play out later when slime time starts.

Obama is going to have many challenges if he gets the nom. Why add to them ?

[EFerrari]

19. Speak for yourself. Newsom is in the pocket of big real estate developers

and his social justice performance, with one exception, is dismal.

[1corona4u]

39. Well, then Obama should have felt right at home.

(Rezko)

[yardwork]

74. Yet he's still too conservative for Obama! What does that say about Obama.

Logic model. Newsom to the right of progressives. Obama to the right of Newsom. That means Obama to the far right of progressives.

[EFerrari]

106. I promise you Newsom is not to the left of Obama.

They probably agree on most everything and above all, they are political animals, not public servants let alone statesmen. It's just that Newsom got himself caught up in too many scandals. He himself remarked that no one in the party establishment wanted him at their events any more. So, he knows what his impulsive behavior has done to his career.

[yardwork]

111. Ok, so then why did Obama make that nasty comment about San Francisco?

To a lot of this country, San Francisco is code for "gays." For Obama to make that nasty crack about giving San Francisco to Canada - it sounds like something a freeper would say. It sounds like he's pandering to right-wingers.

[EFerrari]

145. Sure. His campaign probably was doing just that. n/t

[yardwork]

150. And you think that's ok?

[EFerrari]

156. Excuse me?

:shrug:

[Cant trust em]

211. To be fair, it was someone on the campaign who said that

and as a San Franciscan, I would love for us to secede somehow. I'd love to not have to be in the same boat as certain folks on the right who live 3,000 miles away. I've been saying for a long time that this country is too big with too many views to represent. Then we can elect whoever the hell we want that represents my values instead of having to water down message for people who don't share my values.

[jaysunb]

94. Well, he'll fit Pelosi's seat just fine.

Don't be surprised...especially if Obama wins in Nov. There'll be some wholesale changes in Congress and I strongly believe she'll be one of the first to fall or decline to run again.

[rodeodance]

41. Looks like Obama did i all by himself!!

[mathewsleep]

13. or really, i heard

that obama curb stomped him. and then ate his pets.

[redqueen]

25. ate

welcome to du

[Maddy McCall]

21. 5th rec, for my gay friends at DU.

[mckeown1128]

57. What does this story have to do with "gay friends"??? nt

[yardwork]

80. Duh. What could we gay folks possibly be interested in here...

Hm. Obama disses Newsom for supporting gay marriage. Obama disses San Francisco. Obama chooses to perpetuate the fight with Newsom rather than apologize.

As a lesbian, I'm just scratching my head about why I should care. /heavy sarcasm

[tishaLA]

104. You know he did it because of marriage equity?

There aren't other reasons--if the story is true, that is.

[mckeown1128]

107. How do you know it has anything to do with gay marriage?

Are you psychic now? When did Obama dis San Francisco? Last time I checked quoting unnamed sources doesn't count as fact. Hell, Obama's biggest focus in California has been San Francisco. So again, what does this story have to do with the GLBT community.

[yardwork]

115. The news sources says that Obama dissed San Francisco - read the OP.

If you don't believe the story, that's one thing. But it's disingenuous for you to pretend that this story wouldn't be of interest to queers like me.

[mckeown1128]

196. The story quotes some mysterious Obama aid.

Who apparently is the dumbest "high level" aid in the world considering Obama's main operation in CA is San Francisco. Excuse me if I don't buy it. You still haven't Obama dissing San Francisco let along the GLBT community.

[yardwork]

124. Read the article in the linked post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4410371&mesg_id=4411311

[jackson_dem]

23. He buys houses next to corrupt slumlords but can't take a photo with a progressive?

He has no problem standing with these guys.

[Cant trust em]

32. Gavin Newsom is NOT a progressive n/t

[EFerrari]

59. Thank you! No, he's not. He's corporate slime; n/t

[Cant trust em]

72. Is anyone else posting on this thread actually from San Francisco?

I'd really love to know. Seems like a lot of people have this rosy view of our Mayor which is probably based on bunk. Just like Care Not Cash.

[EFerrari]

81. You mean "Fuck You Not Care".

I don't think so.

People seem to think Gavin is some kind of champion for gay rights when in reality he created a photo op for himself impulsively. As he has done so much else impulsively.

[Cant trust em]

100. Newsom = Corporatist who passes progressive ideas off as his own

Let's go down the list:

1. Homeless advocacy
2. Gay marriage
3. Universal healthcare for SF
4. Walking picket lines


In other SF progressive news, Daly & other activists turned in 14,000 signatures requiring that Lennar build its new housing development with 50% affordable units. Lennar sent in their signatures after spending $600,000.

[EFerrari]

128. I'd go on teevee for Chris Daly. He's as real as they come.

Last re-election, I went out to the mission for visibility and his mom was there, walking with us.

What a contrast. :)

[jackson_dem]

133. Universal HC and gay marriage

He may be a conservative in SF but that is very progressive by national standards. In my state Joe Biden is considered about as progressive a major politician can be!

[Cant trust em]

143. The point is that he takes other people's ideas and passes them off as his own

This is similar to the Hillary Clinton/LBJ comments from a few weeks ago. Saying that Newsom is the progressive is like saying that LBJ did all of the work for the Civil Rights Act.

Newsom is a PR progressive. When it suits his immediate needs he'll adopt what is popular.

[yardwork]

162. Supporting gay marriage was NOT popular. Newsom was all alone on that issue.

You can say what you want about Newsom, but I'm not persuaded that he only sticks with safe issues. He was all alone in his support for gay marriage, even in San Francisco.

[EFerrari]

167. Oh, bullshit. There's plenty of support for gay marriage here.

And he doesn't stick to safe issues because in his impulsivity he can't recognize them. He sticks with issues he can exploit for personal gain, just like he hilariously walked in the hotel workers' picket line which did nothing for anyone but Gavin.

[Cant trust em]

179. He wasn't alone.

In San Francisco it was an easy call. No one here is against it.

[IronLionZion]

243. Someone from North Carolina thinks gay marriage is not popular in San Francisco

I'm having flashes of Bush not finding oil in Texas.

I'll pray for you! O8)

[Andromeda]

228. It's based on bunk.

Newsome IS a progressive---more progressive than Obama.

[BlackVelvet04]

79. And the republicans ya'll are going to be all unified with are

the good guys?

[EFerrari]

88. What do republicans have to do with this?

We were talking about the scandal ridden, in your face lying, big money courting Gavin Newsom who has our local cops raid homeless camps in the wee hours of the morning and then LIES about it to the Chronicle.

[yardwork]

95. Are you saying that Gavin Newsom is WORSE than a Republican?

Because Obama is urging everyone to reach out to Republicans, but apparently Newsom is beyond the pale. I don't get it.

[EFerrari]

120. No. I'm saying that I work with the homeless community here

and that Newsom ran on resolving homelessess here.

On more than one occasion, I've gotten calls from the press or from other people that there was a roust in progress. Then I call the Mayor's office and they're very nice. Then the next day, the Mayor knew nothing about it. :shrug:

Newsom or his handlers have a knack for identifying issues that liberals care about and then, pretending to do something about them.

I don't really care about Republicans locally. I care that we have a Mayor that can't be trusted to keep his word. Don't know if that's part of his substance problem or what (actually, yes I do, as there are several addicts in my family). In any case, Newsom is not very well liked here by progressives because he seems out of control most of the time.

[yardwork]

129. I understand that you have a problem with Newsom, and I share your concern.

I'm saying that Obama chose not to have his photo taken with Newsom four years ago because of Newsom's support for gay marriage. That puts Obama on the wrong side of that debate imo. And significantly, Obama has done nothing to heal the rift.

Read the article linked in this post:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4410371&mesg_id=4411311

[EFerrari]

142. It wasn't just Obama. Newsom himself commented that he was

persona non grata in the party after the marriage issue. I don't remember where I read that but it was likely the Chronicle. It was the whole party establishment so singling out Obama is just inaccurate.

[Cant trust em]

191. It's in today's Chron

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/05/BAM5US1B5.DTL

[EFerrari]

217. I posted this downthread. It's from 2004.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/06/27/BAG0T7CULO1.DTL&hw=Newsom+Democrats+gay&sn=016&sc=426

[Cant trust em]

223. surprise surprise

Gavin Newsom is two faced. Good lord do I despise him.

[yardwork]

91. Another day in Obama world. I can't figure this out.

Newsom and Hillary are not good enough for Obama to associate with, but extreme right-wingers are who we're supposed to "reach out" to and govern with in a bipartisan way?

I get it. It's not the progressive/conservative thing. It's the gay/straight thing. Obama doesn't like gay rights. That seems to be very very clear.

[BlackVelvet04]

103. It boggles the mind n/t

[yardwork]

87. But that's not why Obama shied away from the photo op.

Obama gets his photo taken with all kinds of conservatives. His issue with Newsom isn't that Newsom is too conservative - it's that Newsom is too gay friendly.

If Newsom is not a progressive but still too progressive for Obama, what does that make Obama?

[Cant trust em]

136. Newsom is a PR progressive

when it suits his immediate needs, he'll switch over for something.

I do not deny that this is a political move for a national politician, nor will I condemn this. If I were in Obama's shoes I wouldn't vocally support anything that will be used as a wedge issue. I'm also not for making gun control part of the dem platform.

[yardwork]

158. You're saying that you won't support gay rights or anything else that is a wedge issue?

You won't support the right to abortion, gay rights, or anything controversial that "will be used as a wedge issue."

You might as well support the Republican.

[Cant trust em]

176. If asked the question, I'd take a stand

but I wouldn't spend time at rallies talking about it in front of people that don't want to hear it. Particularly at times when there is little grass roots traction. I don't support making a huge issue out of something that won't get resolved and leaves me screwed with one or the other. All politicians have to come up with a position on everything, but what becomes a focus of their candidacy is something different.

I also understand that being the president of the united states requires representation of a huge array of beliefs and that it's best to let the people talk it out.

[readmoreoften]

168. Obama is also a PR progressive. But apparently less of a PR progressive than Newsom.

How fucking scary is that?

[Cant trust em]

198. Obama isn't that progressive

as Barack would say, you want to be ahead of the curve, but not so far ahead as to make yourself politically impotent. Being elfish isn't the only reason Dennis Kucinich doesn't get the time of day.

[yardwork]

82. Obama doesn't want "the gay" to rub off on him. Newsom's not gay, but he's gay friendly.

That's evidently too close to gay for Obama.

I'm not liking him more and more.

[FrenchieCat]

209. I actually question that......about Newsome.

I think that Newsome is Pro-Newsome. Period.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

148. ouchh

[MilesColtrane]

239. I have to stand next to a lot of people I don't like where I work too.

And yes, sometimes somebody snaps a picture.

[Mass]

26. So, Linfar at mydd.com reports Ben Smith says that a staffer (non identified of course) says that ..

(did I miss any level in this!!) :shrug:

No surprise that some people think that Hillary cried for profit. Some bloggers reported that some bloggers reported that the media said that some columnist said that she was not sincere, so I will trust that.

:eyes:

[burythehatchet]

35. Some of the other info intermediaries were superfluous to the story

so they were not mentioned.

[Marie26]

37. It's straight from the horse's mouth

Both Newsom and Brown are on record in saying that Obama refused to be photographed or seen w/Newsom after he supported gay marriage.

[burythehatchet]

51. I think you got the wrong end of the horse

[Marie26]

66. Rolling eyes

I've noticed the Obama people don't have much to say. If he's running on "unity" that's got to include everyone, not just people who love Obama. Newsom might have bad points, Hillary might have bad points, but they're still DEMOCRATS. What does it mean if Obama refuses to support Dems., but is so eager to work with Republicans?

[bellasgrams]

75. How can she visually make her eyes well up. You people are

pathetic. She was listening to an old friend, compliment and recall fond memories, for cripes sake give it a rest. She's also bound to be exhausted running all over the country trying to making several appearances in one day. In fact I noticed that she had on the same suit on Letterman that she had worn on her infomercial. She is really pushing herself. She will get things done when she takes office.

[Mass]

86. You missed my point. I never made fun of her, but of the very sinuous sources of the OP.

The point is, if I have to believe it, why should I not believe the idiotic media about her tears. Why should I be more selective with infos about her than about Obama.

Care to tell me. (and I did not post in the tears threads because I thought there were nasty!! So calm down and try to understand what I say.

You are pathetic. You are expecting that your candidate is treated with the respect she is due, but are ready to post any stupid story to attack her opponent, and this one is, considering the article does not even have ONE named direct source.

[scheming daemons]

27. Since 99.9% of the US population has no clue who he is.... not an issue....

...

[Maddy McCall]

29. Anyone who ever picks up a newspaper knows.

Most Democratic voters know.

[scheming daemons]

45. Like I said....

DU is not representative of the country any more than the Freepers are.


John and Joan Q. Public, unless they are gay or live in Northern California, do not know who Gavin is. They just don't. Ask the next 10 people you meet at random on the street if they've heard of him, and 9 of them will say no.


Hell.... 1/4 of the population couldn't even tell you the name of the current Vice President.

[rodeodance]

33. Rather petty of Obama

[Shine]

34. I read this same article today in the SF Chron and I must admit, I was surprised

it was NOT complimentary to Obama.

Hmmm...even if it's true, which it probably is, one has to notice the timing of this story coming out now.

Jeez....whatta game. :eyes:

[EFerrari]

48. Gavin Newsom has been involved in one scandal after another

and is not liked here by the progressive community. Maybe it's news to people outside looking in.

That he married gay folk was commendable and I got to thank him in person. But, then, there were all those other days.

[Shine]

99. I live in Santa Cruz county, not far from SFat all. What are all these scandals you speak of?

Well, besides his well-known issues with infidelity, that is. :D I'll be curious to see how marriage #2 unfolds...

I guess I haven't realized just how disliked Gavin is. I always thought he was rather cool and hip and a Dem to watch in the future. I really liked what he did with the whole gay marriage thing and his courage.

[EFerrari]

137. I don't know where to start.

Besides the infidelity, there's substance abuse and screwing the very people he promised to help, the homeless. Gavin is mostly about himself. That may be a function of his age or of his using but, it's unmistakable if you're here on the ground. :(

[Exultant Democracy]

159. Combo of the worst of Bill Clinton with a little Marion Barry tossed in,

[Shine]

165. Yeah, I forgot about the substance abuse. But I thought he got help with that

Being married to a recovering alcoholic, I have compassion for those who struggle with those sorts of issues. It's a hard path to walk down.

Regarding the homeless issues, I guess I'm not tracking it like you are. Maybe it's because I'm not "on the ground". I do know that every time I go up to the city the homeless situation is depressing to see....and sometimes quite sickening as well, with feces and urine right on the street. :puke:

I dunno....I'm not quite as down on him as you seem to be.

Frankly, imo, being a politician requires self-promotion, which necessitates a strong ego and self-interest. It comes with the territory, afterall.

[EFerrari]

175. There are recovering addicts in my family, too. Life happens.

The homeless issue gets to me. That was his big promise and he or his handlers have been awful, just awful, to very vulnerable people.

[Bread and Circus]

38. That's what I love about Clinton she will have her picture taken

with anybody, as long as they give her money!

See, here's one of her cronies:

[Cant trust em]

61. With all of the Rezko talk, people forgot about ol' Norman Hsu n/t

[workinclasszero]

147. LOL!

Only if they bring cash.:rofl:

[Jed Dilligan]

42. Fuck Gavin Newsom, he is a slime

Good for Obama

[rodeodance]

49. Pettyness as a charater trait in obama is not good.

[Jed Dilligan]

83. Pettiness? The guy is a phony mayor propped up by phony plans

to "help the homeless." He is an insult to the homeless, to poor people, to black people, to social science, and to the Democratic party.

[rodeodance]

89. does not matter--comes across as pettyness.

[Jed Dilligan]

98. I don't think this is an electability issue

America does not give a shit.

[rodeodance]

172. umm... well, when Toto pulls back the screen, it will matter.

[BootinUp]

130. I thought he was green party. nt

[Jed Dilligan]

132. Nope. Just a rich, ski-bunny, pseudo-liberal corporate Democrat. nt

[readmoreoften]

178. Take out the ski-bunny and you have Obama in a nutshell. He'll work with Republicans

but not another corporate Democrat?

Oh, and he just happens to be the mayor of the city assumed to be America's homosexual ground zero.

If you can't see a trend, you're probably Hope-Goggled.

[Jed Dilligan]

181. So your saying this is some kind of crypto-gay-bashing by Obama?

Get a hobby. He is an evil mayor who deliberately ignores murdered black children.

[Cant trust em]

43. Another good reason for me to like Obama

since my disdain for Newsom is so great. Thanks, Barack.

[burythehatchet]

44. I heard Obama also REFUSED to sell crack to Gavin.

[CyberPieHole]

215. I know Obama smoked pot and snorted cocaine, but I didn't know about the crack sales...

:wow:

[VolcanoJen]

46. Was this around the time Gavin got caught screwing his chief of staff's wife?

Maybe that's why Obama didn't want to pose for a photograph with him.

[rodeodance]

60. good Rovian tactic-KILL the messenger.

[VolcanoJen]

70. Well, sorry, but how does Gavin know why Obama didn't want the picture?

It's within the realm of possibility that Obama didn't want his photograph taken with a scumbag who cheated on his wife and betrayed his best friend. How can you divine the intent of Obama that day?

[rodeodance]

92. the WHY is not important--it is the perception that matters.

[VolcanoJen]

101. That's ridiculous.

So now, perception matters more than, I don't know, reality??

What a curious thing to say.

Look, you have no idea why Obama refused to be photographed with Gavin Newsom. Neither do I. Neither does Gavin, but it's a little sketchy that he waited an entire year to tell this tale, and he chose to drop it on the morning of Super Tuesday in an area of California where Clinton is down in the polls.

There's some "perception" for you.

[gmudem]

131. So you're buying into the media meme that perception is more important than reality

Gotcha.

[William769]

47. K&R!

There goes Obamas MO again. :eyes:

"HOPE AND CHANGE!"

:eyes:

[MonkeyFunk]

52. That's really disappointing,

I've always said I like Obama just fine, but shit like this is making it hard,

[ShortnFiery]

55. Indeed this is a sad day. DSB, you can't be THIS desperate? Can you?

:crazy:

[rodeodance]

71. There you go again-same ol "desperate"--no creativity from Obamababywhinners at all.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

77. I Merely Cited The Story

You can put me on "ignore" if you wish...

[Joe the Revelator]

56. A Hillary surrgate spreading a nasty story about Obama?

shocking.

[rodeodance]

63. oh-here is that Obamababy Whinner AGAIN!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

93. Deleted

~

[kelligesq]

62. Cheezuas- Obama really is a homophobe ! I thought it was

just more slander being posted on DU - but Gavin Newsom saying it makes it
for real.

Well, as far as we can see, REpublicans are noted for being homophobic - mostly because they doeth protesteth too much!

[mckeown1128]

112. Gavin Newsom never confirmed the story.

AND, how does this make Obama homopohobic. Gavin isn't gay genius. :eyes:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

117. If Gavin Newsom Is Known For Anything Outside Of The Bay Area It's Marrying Gay Folks

~

[yardwork]

138. Newsom is known for two things and they both involve gay couples.

Newsom was the DA who successfully prosecuted the owners of two vicious dogs who killed a lesbian woman outside her apartment in San Francisco. A lot of us queer folk around the country appreciated that. The defense attempted to dehumanize the victim and dismiss the importance of her relationship with her partner. Newsom didn't let the defense get away with that.

Then Newsom went on to support gay marriage in San Francisco at a time when it was considered extremely radical, and most other Democrats went into hiding on the issue.

I recognize that Newsom is not perfect, but I'm ticked off that Obama still chooses to treat Newsom like plutonium over the gay marriage issue while reaching out to the worst Republicans in Congress!

[Exultant Democracy]

166. Banging is cheif of staffs wife got a lot more attention then the dog thing.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

184. The Dog Story Was Huge

~

[Exultant Democracy]

192. I'm not saying it wasn't but in order of prominence it goes, gay marriage, wife fucker, attack dogs

[ronnykmarshall]

199. Newsom was not the DA.

[mckeown1128]

200. Two thing....

One: Again Gavin Newsom never confirmed the story. Sounds to me like last minute campaign tactics.

Two: Even if Obama snubbed Newsom, there is no reason to assume it is because he is mayor of a city known for having a strong GLBT community.

Hillary supporters are really grasping at straws today.

[godai]

65. Why did you leave this out?

"Obama's deputy campaign director, Steve Hildebrand, who lives with his partner as an openly gay man, is reported in the Chronicle report as calling this "a ridiculous story.""

[yardwork]

141. We have a word for gay folks who enable homophobes

and it isn't a very nice word. If Steve Hildebrand has any self-respect, then maybe he should use his influence to stop Obama from pandering to homophobes.

[Duncan Grant]

171. Mayors Brown and Newsom both say it's true. Why would they lie? (nt)

[readmoreoften]

182. So then I should trust Larry Craig and the Log Cabin Republicans as well?

They supported Bush.

[JackORoses]

67. this is fairly desperate...I'm surprised to see this from you DSB

Worried about the Bay Area?

[William769]

78. Making a post on DU makes him worried about the bay area.

What a fucking joke! :rofl:

Oh it's you, I understand now. :rofl:

[JackORoses]

97. How's it looking for your candidate out there, wee willie?

Trying to smear Obama on Primary Day using the Mayor of San Francisco is quite obviously an attempt to blunt Obama's surge in the Bay Area.

Oh, it's you, I understand why there is a comprehension problem.

[William769]

105. Can you at least try to be original?

I know it's hard for you, but could you please try, pretty please?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

110. Wee Willie

Cute...

I could have lots of fun with the name Jack but I'll rise above it...

[JackORoses]

118. this is my point, usually you post above the board items. This OP seems out of the ordinary.

Are you worried?

[William769]

121. Am I worried?

Not in the least, I have a victory celebration to go to this evening.

[JackORoses]

160. you still do not understand how this board works

my post was in reply to DSB's post

you don't have to respond to posts that aren't in response to you, even if they are in a subthread of yours.

[William769]

180. I don't think you undertand how the board works.

It's called free speech.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

123. I Merely Cited The Story

It is interesting...

People can infer from it what they want...

But it is interesting...

[William769]

119. You mean like jack off Ross?

[ronnykmarshall]

203. SNAP!

[BootinUp]

122. lol nt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

102. Next He's Going To Say It Make Me A "Power Bottom" Too

~

[William769]

109. Now don't get me fantasizing DSB.

:evilgrin:

[oasis]

76. "Imperious Mode Obama" is seldom mentioned by the media. (eom)

[Araxen]

96. Well at least San Fran..

will have proper Universal Healthcare if they move to Canada, unlike the half-assed approach both candidates are offering.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

114. And You Can Marry The Person You Love Regardless Of Gender

~

[EFerrari]

154. I'm thinking that maybe I should vote for Obama just for that benefit.

:)

[rjx]

108. Here is a better article

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/05/BAM5US1B5.DTL&type=politics


I think Obama declined to have his picture taken because he doesn't support gay marriage. And at the time Newsom was in the spotlight for gay marriage.

======================================

Obama snub still rankles Newsom

Seeing Mayor Gavin Newsom on the national stage with former president Bill Clinton on Monday night is a reminder of how political winds can change. On the eve of the biggest night of the presidential primaries, Newsom shared the spotlight during a town hall meeting staged and broadcast on cable TV and satellite radio by the Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign.
But just four years ago, current Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is said to have declined to have his picture taken in San Francisco with Newsom, who was then at the center of a national uproar over his decision to allow same-sex marriage in San Francisco.

"I gave a fundraiser, at his (Obama's) request at the Waterfront restaurant," said former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. "And he said to me, he would really appreciate it if he didn't get his photo taken with my mayor. He said he would really not like to have his picture taken with Gavin."

Today, of course, Obama's people are backpedaling away from that account like crazy. His deputy campaign director, Steve Hildebrand, who lives with his partner as an openly gay man, calls it "a ridiculous story."

"Barack Obama gets his picture taken with gay people all the time," Hildebrand said. "Including me, his deputy campaign manager."

But insiders at City Hall, both current and former members of Newsom's staff, recall the incident well. And you can bet that Newsom hasn't forgotten it either.

"He was pissed," said one former staffer.

In fact, early last year, Newsom alluded to the incident in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking to Reuters on Jan. 26, 2007, Newsom was asked about three potential Democratic candidates: Obama, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.

He was asked about the flak he took after announcing that San Francisco would allow same-sex marriages - flak that included claims he had helped Republicans by handing them a wedge issue heading into a presidential election year. In the interview, Newsom admitted he'd been hammered over the decision. "And I'm not just saying from Republicans," he added at the time.

"One of the three Democrats you mentioned as presidential candidates, as God is my witness, will not be photographed with me, will not be in the same room with me," Newsom told Reuters, "even though I've done fundraisers for that particular person - not once, but twice - because of this issue."

Now, could that be why Newsom declared his support for Hillary Clinton a good six months ago? San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who was concerned enough about the 2004 story to look into it, insists the mayor's endorsement of the former first lady is more likely a case of repayment of political favors. And Newsom said after the town meeting that the snub "had nothing to do with my decision."

But Brown, as savvy as they get when it comes to reading political motivations, thinks the 2004 snub played a part.

"I think he has harbored this resentment for years," Brown said of Newsom, adding that Obama was reluctant to be seen appearing in San Francisco altogether, much less side by side with the gay-marriage mayor. "I would guess that is part of the rejection of the Obama campaign."

Though same-sex marriage is still a hot-button issue in 2008, it is no longer the shocker that had the country in an uproar four and five years ago. Until you go back and look at the news stories from those days, it is easy to forget how radical and unpopular Newsom's stand was.

And, no, it wasn't just the right-wingers who were upset. It was Democrats, too, particularly those running in the presidential primary. John Kerry, for example, was careful to stage his Bay Area appearances in Oakland, not San Francisco, after the controversy hit.

"I don't know anybody in the party who was happy with him, except me," Brown said. "He was all alone out there. He was the poster child for same-sex marriage worldwide."

That's why Brown says he doesn't blame Obama for his caution. Today, of course, the Illinois senator is happy to embrace gay causes. But in 2004, nationally, same-sex marriage was a radical notion.

"What they ought to say is, 'Damn right I did it, and I'd do it again,' " Brown said of the Obama camp. "He was in a race for the Senate, and I am guessing that downstate Illinois is a pretty red (meaning conservative) group of voters."

But on the eve of the biggest vote of the primaries - with the big prize of a California win at stake - the Obama campaign isn't taking Brown's advice.

"They could attack Obama for a lot of things, but this isn't one of them," said Hildebrand. "And for this to pop up on the eve of the election is very suspicious. There's just no truth to it."

To which Brown replies, "Why would I make it up?"

It seems clear that something happened. Staffers say there is still a chill between the two, although Monday night Newsom gave Obama his qualified support.

"I believe in his leadership qualities, and I look forward to voting for him," Newsom said.
"In eight years."



C.W. Nevius' column appears on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. E-mail him at [e-mail].

[jesus_of_suburbia]

113. This is outrageous, and it saddens me as a gay man

that so many people on DU think it's no big deal that Obama didn't want his picture taken
with someone who supports gay marriage.

We've got a long way to go.

[BootinUp]

116. Obama might get some of that gay cooties stuff on him. nt

[girl_interrupted]

127. But Obama doesnt mind photos with the likes of Ted Kennedy?

Sorry but that bloated drunk Ted Kennedy, has always given me the creeps. And I'm not talking about his womanizing, because I doubt there is a politican left on earth that hasn't strayed. But when Kennedy drove off Chappaquiddick bridge and left Mary Jo Kopechne, without ever once calling police for help, without acknowleging to authorities until the next day, that the accident even occurred, is beyond depraved. So many chances to call police, to get divers, never lifted a finger to do that. What kind of man, what kind of human being would do such a thing? I never understood the democrats fascination with this guy. I know JFK was very well loved, but there was no excuse for Ted's behavior, none. Accidents can happen to anyone, but that he his put career above helping that girl,to leave her there, to refuse to call for help, to save his own ass is something inherently sick.

But posing for pictures with a Mayor that supported gay marriage offends Obama? Give me a break. No, really, give me a break. Just sad.

[BootinUp]

153. I was quite young

when Chappaquidick happened and I really haven't formed a strong opinion on it. I think most of his status is because of his brothers of course, but he is a Senior Senator too that once ran for the nomination for President. So that incident is not really brought up in Dem circles much at this point.

But I was not being nice to Obama with that post in case I wasn't clear about that. I think its petty and tells a bit about his priorties.

:)

[girl_interrupted]

186. Jim4Wes You can read about Chappaquiddick here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chappaquiddick_incident Maybe you will be able to form an opinion from that. I'm quite sure why democrats dont "bring it up". I believe in party loyalty, but there is a limit. And my post was not directed to you, I apologize if you got that impression, it was not intentional. I was just amazed by the hypocrisy of the Newsome incident and replying.

[magatte]

146. Gavin ain't gay. And if you bothered to read the article Obama's campaign manager IS.

nt

[BootinUp]

157. I wasn't suggesting he was. Stop jumping to conclusions. nt

[robbedvoter]

125. Afraid of catching "gay"?

[Uncle Sinister]

126. so much for his "uniter, not divider" schtick

[ShortnFiery]

134. Lots of "innuendo" and "conjecture." DSB, I thought you claim to be ABOVE ALL that?

:evilgrin:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

144. Gawd, I Didn't Write The Article

Look at the response...

[ShortnFiery]

149. But you promote "hear-say" ... Ain't ya proud that you still got faces?

:nuke:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

173. Huh

I oppose censorship

"Let a thousand flowers bloom, a hundred schools of thought contend."

-Mao Tse-Tung

[ShortnFiery]

183. Shameful! You quote "Mao Tse Tung," but you LIVE-OUT ... Machiavelli's "The Prince"

by your smarmy innuendo promoting endeavors.

Shameful but Transparent ... SnF :nuke:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

205. Facts Are Stubborn Things

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

-John Adams

[EFerrari]

221. Yes, they are. And the fact is that after Gavin married people

no one wanted to be photographed with him. Obama was just one in a huge crowd of Democrats who were afraid to be beaten over the head with gay marriage. Geezus, some people even blamed Newsom for losing 2004.

[jlake]

135. Homophobama Another stitch in the pattern.

[Iceburg]

139. Kick & Rec for my rainbow brothers and sisters /eom

[Debi]

140. Quick, somebody tell Steve Hildebrandt that his boss hates the gays!!

Aaaahahahhhh x(

and won't get his picture taken with a guy who screws his staff members wives!

<snip>
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's re-election campaign manager resigned Wednesday after confronting the mayor about an affair Newsom had with his wife while she worked in the mayor's office, City Hall sources said.
<snip>
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/31/BAGM3NSFGQ7.DTL

[rinsd]

151. Obama does not hate GLBT people, he just panders to those that do.

Which is some ways is worse.

[Debi]

164. Yes, because him having an openly gay man working as #2 in his campaign

must give him the heebeegeebees :eyes:

[readmoreoften]

187. The Log Cabins are openly gay too and they voted for Bush. What does that mean?

Huckabee said he'd take money from the Log Cabin Republicans and said he'd accept $ from them. Should I vote for him too?

[Debi]

214. You are seriously comparing Barack Obama to George Bush?

:rofl:

[readmoreoften]

189. Bush has Condi on his team. Does that mean Kanye West is wrong and Bush cares about Black folks?

Nah. Didn't think so.

[Debi]

213. Kanye was wrong

Bush doesn't care about poor people. Condi is not poor.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

155. The affair was not public when Obama refused the picture

nice try though

[Debi]

161. Not public ?

Or not in the newspapers?

[LadyVT]

152. Thanks...Donnie McC redux

Thanks for posting this.

[ShortnFiery]

174. Yes, if you throw up enough innuendo and whispers, those who Choose "to hate" will believe anything

This is just SAD. Anyone promoting such hear-say as God Given proof of a candidate's true values is just TALKING SMACK. Shameful stuff. :thumbsdown:

I thought we were above innuendo and a rush to judgement?

[readmoreoften]

185. Yes the gays just "hate" your candidate don't they. Just like Obama "hated" Imus.

Imus purportedly believes in the Civil Rights Act. What's the big deal?

:sarcasm:

[ShortnFiery]

206. You are making up stuff now. All I'm suggesting is that you take a moment to "look within" before

Making STUFF up? This type of rumor-mongering is below people of good will. :shrug:

[MzShellG]

177. "WAAAA.....He won't take a picture with me..blah-blah"...What a whiner. nt

[ronnykmarshall]

188. Oh dear.

[cottonseed]

193. Maybe he doesn't like guys who pork their best friends' wifes nt

[Exultant Democracy]

195. Perhaps Obama was misunderstood and just didn't want his wife near Newsom

[ronnykmarshall]

210. My husband feels the same way.

It's more like ... "don't be such a hog ... let me have some Gavin too!".

[Exultant Democracy]

218. He is easy on the eyes

[NashVegas]

204. What a Spineless Coward!

Obama's all for progress, huh?

[cottonseed]

212. Geeze louise - that is just rude.

You know, I just got back from casting a ballot for Obama and I passed by a number of people. All were smiling, it was a sunny day. They could have been voting for Obama, Clinton, Edwards or anyone else for that matter. Point is, I didn't notice a lot of hate today in the real world. You should take a break.

[NashVegas]

224. That's Not Rude. *This* Is Rude:

Zzzzzz ...

[EFerrari]

216. I think a lot of you have forgotten how the party responded to Newsom.

Mayor in every corner but one
Newsom stays away from Kerry to avoid awkward questions

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/06/27/BAG0T7CULO1.DTL&hw=Newsom+Democrats+gay&sn=016&sc=426

[CyberPieHole]

219. K&R for the LGBTQ community and for Gavin Newsom for marrying gay people...

I know that Gavin Newsom has fallen from his pedestal, but he will always be remembered for having the courage to do the right thing.

[FrenchieCat]

220. I'd refuse to take a picture with Gavin Newsome Too!

After all, he helped by accomplishing.......

11 Same sex marriage Bans passed

1 Democratic Presidential Ticket defeated

2 Conservative Supreme Court Justice installed for life


No, I don't care for Gavin Newsome at all. I don't care how cute and how slicked back his hair is.

[NMMNG]

226. In other words you're joining the

"STFU you gays and gay activists or you'll lose the election for us" band wagon. You seriously think that we cause the very bigotry that others have towards us, the bullshit laws the bigots enact against us, the torture they wish to inflict upon us, and that the act of us demanding our rights causes Democrats to lose elections? You are a real piece of work.

[gaspee]

242. Don't you know?

It's all the fault of teh gays and the atheists. If they'd just shut up and let the god-fearing folk preach and condemn the gays - a la his preachifying friends so generously wanting to fix their sinnin' ways, well the Democrats would have won the last few elections!

All the normal people hate teh gays and the atheists - guess we should just shut up, huh?

I am so sick of my life being made into a wedge issues. Thanks Obama.

[Andromeda]

229. I don't think he'd ask you either.

.

[Clinton Crusader]

222. Im in NY have no idea what this is about. Anyone?

[stimbox]

225. Mother Fuck Obama and his High Level staffer.

[mhatrw]

230. Obama IS Newsom.

Both are little more than empty suits.

Please note that I voted for Obama today. He is still better than Clinton.

[sjdnb]

231. Oh, wow --- Obama's a calculating politician - feigned surprise

all over the place. He has to be - he's not experienced or grounded enough to give the honest (hopefully, proper) response. It might cost him too much, politically. Ewwwww

[kdpeters]

232. Oh gee. More divisive gay-baiting. Deliberately trying to incite offense among gay people

From the article...

And, no, it wasn't just the right-wingers who were upset. It was Democrats, too, particularly those running in the presidential primary. John Kerry, for example, was careful to stage his Bay Area appearances in Oakland, not San Francisco, after the controversy hit.

"I don't know anybody in the party who was happy with him, except me," Brown said. "He was all alone out there. He was the poster child for same-sex marriage worldwide."

I remember Feinstein and even Barney Frank publicly dressing him down. I remember people here at DU actually blaming Newsom and the fight for gay marriage for actually costing Democrats the election. Those people are probably the same ones now up on their high horses pretending to be our friend but really just using the gay community to play wedge politics at our expense because he can't actually defend his candidate's record on our issues. What the MyDD author is trying to do is pretty disgusting really. It's a bad case of political Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: deliberately spreading hate and hurt while trying to act like the hero instead of the villain. This person only cares about the gay community as far as we are a good source of wedge politics.

Gobama.

[Radical Activist]

233. hmmm....

[Iceburg]

236. Contrast to: A beautiful message from Hillary to the GLBT community

...an open letter published at Our Chart

By Senator Hillary Clinton

As I have traveled around the country these past twelve months, what I sensed in my heart has been confirmed – America is embracing its LGBT sons and daughters with an acceptance and understanding as never before. On the campaign trail, a father of a gay son will ask about ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. A woman will ask why she can be discriminated against just because of who she is. Sometimes they wait furtively for the crowd to thin and then whisper their confidences in a soft voice and sometimes they stand up proudly at town meetings and want me to share my views on how I will help lead the change to assure that this country fulfills its promise to everyone.

Let me tell you what I have been telling voters across America. I am fully committed to the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans. For seven long years, the Bush Administration has tried to divide us - only seeing people who matter to them. It's been a government of the few, by the few, and for the few. And no community has been more invisible to this administration than the LGBT community.

I will change that. The best evidence of what I will do as President is what I have already done.
I am proud of my record as First Lady, as a U.S. Senator and as a candidate for President in working toward the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans.

· I am proud that as Chair of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee in 2006, I worked closely with LBGT community to develop a smart strategy that defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment. I am proud of fighting the FMA as divisive wedge politics at its worst.

· I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligation Act which would grant the same benefits (including health insurance) to domestic partners of federal employees that are currently offered to employees’ legal spouses.
...
To each and every LGBT American, I say this. You have done so much to help this country understand your lives by simply being open and honest about who you are and living your lives with dignity. Thank you for your courage. It is time that we recognize your hard work. I know that this country is ready for changes in the law that reflect the evolution in our hearts.

America deserves a President who appeals to the best in each of us, not the worst; a President who values and respects all Americans and treats all Americans equally no matter who they are or who they love. I want to be that President. I want to be your President.


whole letter

[AGirl]

237. Obama must really hate same sex marriages. Disgusting!

[windbreeze]

240. After reading through this thread...I gotta say...this place amazes me n/t

[gaspee]

241. He's got a problem with teh gays

I've posted this here before, but it bears repeating. I went to a Whitehouse fundraiser back in '06 with my sister. My sister is a beautiful very feminine blonde woman with a lot of money. I am a very masculine woman- no makeup, straight bobbed hair, no jewelry, prefer masculine cut clothes -- with not much money who actually does happen to be LGBTQ. When we met Obama, after the initial introductions, he never looked at or spoke to me again while he fawned all over my sister.

I think, and this is IMO after meeting the man, well before he announced he was running, that he has a real problem with LGBTQ people. Or poor people. Though I was dressed pretty nicely at a very expensive fundraiser so I don't see how he could have known I am poor. And while he doesn't have a track record of hating on the poor, he does have a record of using us LGBTQ folk to get evangelical voters. I will NOT BE USED AS A WEDGE ISSUE!

BTW, my sister and her husband are friends with Whitehouse and his wife and her husband was one of the money people on his campaign. Our uncle was the mayor of our city for awhile (after Chafee and before the next election) and my sister likes to hang with the connected people. Me, I can't stand their phony ways. Hers either, but I went with her to meet him specifically. Lets just say I came away very disappointed.

I don't like Obama and I won't vote for him. I won't even vote for him in the general. This is personal for me. Of course, living in RI, I have that luxury. There is no way any R is getting more than 15 percent of the vote in this state. I honestly don't know what I would do if I lived somewhere it mattered.

I still don't have a candidate for the primary with Edwards gone. I'm not a Clinton supporter but Obama will never in a million years get a vote from me, ever. Guess I'm still voting Edwards. Or writing in Gore.