McClurkin only sang one song. McClurkin invited himself. Kirbyjon Caldwell & other answers...

[Bluebear]

"Donnie McClurkin only sang a song or two at the Barack Obama "Embrace the Change" events.

But McClurkin, who won a Grammy in 2004 for his gospel music and is also the pastor of an evangelical church in New York, quickly became the star of the night, which was the conclusion of three gospel concerts the campaign held around the state. McClurkin essentially acted as the emcee of the event, introducing the other gospel artists who performed, and then took the stage for the last hour. In between sermonizing, singing, and raving about Obama, McClurkin repeatedly defended himself.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/10/29/post_159.html

Donnie McClurkin is just a fan of Obama's and volunteered to perform at the concerts. You can't blame the Obama campaign for someone who just is a fan of Obama's.

"I just said yes," he said of his invitation by the Obama campaign.

ibid

"Ex-gay" minister Kirbyjon Caldwell is a recent addition to the Obama campaign.

In fact, for all the criticism on the left for President Bush mixing faith with politics, some of the speakers essentially described voting for Obama as akin to a religious cause. "He's more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ," said Kirbyjon Caldwell, a Houston pastor who was on the tour and is backing on Obama.

ibid

Obama made no bones about his disagreement with McClurkin and renounced his views.

In an effort at damage control, Obama's camp released a statement on October 25th saying they were unaware of McClurkin's beliefs and admits the ex-gay's comments on homosexuality are "deeply hurtful and offensive to many Americans" but also states, "at the same time, a great many African Americans share Pastor McClurkin's beliefs. This also cannot be ignored."

http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2007/11/16/the-barack-obama-donnie-mcclurkin-debacle/

The Obama campaign knew nothing about McClurkin or Mary Mary's anti-gay views.

When Mary Mary and Donnie McClurkin performed for President George Bush in 2005, there was no uproar. President Bush is staunchly anti-gay marriage, even advocating a Constitutional amendment to ban it. Political strategists argue he won the election on his "Biblical" beliefs. For Obama, the "Embrace the Change" lineup seems contradictory from someone who refers to gays as his "gay brothers and sisters."
Obama's camp repeatedly emphasized they were not aware of McClurkin's beliefs about homosexuality, which begs the question, if they did know of McClurkin's beliefs, would they have hired him anyway?
No one at Obama's campaign headquarters, Obama For America, returned a request for comment.

ibid

[Maddy McCall]

1. EXCELLENT work, bluebear.

K/R

:hug:

[LadyVT]

2. Thank you.

[Luminous Animal]

3. At the same time,...

a great many white folks share the pastor's beliefs that negros are born to be slaves. This also cannot be ignored.

[cloudythescribbler]

4. The MAIN issue in all this is Obama's drawing a distinction from HIS OWN views ...

and on that key point, the post does NOT fully describe the issue. Although I have not followed the issue religiously (no pun intended), I HAVE seen at DU other statements including a lengthy SUBSEQUENT interview with Obama in THE ADVOCATE (explaining how the campaign found out about McClurkin's anti-gay activism five days before the performance and AFTER the event had been publicized). Obama also gave an important speech addressing the issue at the Ebenezer Church on Martin Luther King Day.

I really think that many folk are simply looking to rake Obama over the coals, and not really focusing on his overall record on GLBT at all. Many gay organizations and newspapers, some cited on DU, have endorsed Obama SINCE this event, fully mindful of the controversy surrounding McClurkin, and fully concerned about GLBT rights.

FWIW, as I've said before, I speak as someone GLBT myself, so this is a matter of someone saying that there has been WAY too much emphasis on this at DU.

[William769]

6. Please list the "Many gay organizations and newspapers"

Inquiring minds want to know!

[mondo joe]

9. And most GLBT dem voters are supporting Clinton. By about 2 to 1 we see

a difference, and it's not in Obama's favor.

[closeupready]

16. It's possible that there's been a lot of emphasis on McClurkin here on DU; however,

Bill Clinton betrayed the GLBT community ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS - despite that same community's support of him, both in his 1992 run and 1996.

Thus, it is 100% understandable why GLBT Democratic activists (netroot and otherwise) are sounding the alarm NOW that whoever wins the nomination, we are not going to go backwards on GLBT equality. We are not going to promote the idea that GLBT individuals either can or should change their orientation. Contrary to what Xtian fundies would have you believe, our GLBT brothers and sisters, sons and daughters should be embraced fully as the complete equals of us that they are. We are not going to let Democratic officials betray the interests of the GLBT community without calling on them to account for that betrayal. :mad:

:hi:

[William769]

5. K&R!

To help keep BIGOTS out of the closet and in the showroom where they belong.

[SIMPLYB1980]

7. K&R!

[Duncan Grant]

8. k&r

:kick:

[ronnykmarshall]

10. But he just showed up at convention and sang!!

[burythehatchet]

11. Only 1 more post today, right? nt

[Bluebear]

12. Beg your pardon?

[LostinVA]

13. He's just upset that you won't be able to further enlighten him today

Or he's being a jerk. I vote for the latter.

[Bluebear]

14. I hate to be a pest but I actually had only the one original post today

Two more to go, poor thing.

[LostinVA]

15. I would definitely use those two posts now

[Bonobo]

17. Is it your contention, Bluebear, that Mr. Obama is Anti-Gay rights in some way?

[Bluebear]

19. Actually more of his fans seem to be as it turns out.

[racaulk]

18. K&R

Thank you, Bluebear! :hi:

[awaysidetraveler]

20. Nice post Bluebear.

It's succinct and strait forward about the controversy.

[Bluebear]

21. Merci.