Obama benefits from Calif. gay couple’s ‘golden Rolodex’

[davidinalameda]

http://www.washblade.com/2008/4-18/election08/topstory/12450.cfm

A gay West Coast couple is busy bringing in millions of dollars from California residents to help Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama win the White House.

Jeremy Bernard and Rufus Gifford make up B&G Associates, a financial consulting company that assists Democratic candidates with California fundraising activities. The money generated from the entertainment capital of the United States has helped fuel the campaigns of many candidates over the years, leading some, including Bernard, to call California an “ATM” for Democratic candidates.

“It’s an ATM, but it’s not their only ATM, so we try to do the best we can,” Bernard said during a phone interview from the Los Angeles home he shares with Gifford.

According to Federal Election Commission data, the couple has helped steer nearly $27 million in donations from California residents to Obama, helping to propel the candidate from second-place standing in the polls to front-runner status over Hillary Clinton, who only a few months ago enjoyed a double-digit lead.

[Faygo Kid]

1. They're GAY?!? Quick, get Hannity to feed another question to Stephanopoulos.

Next thing you know, that old canard about Barack having black children will resurface.

They're gay? Really? Are they producers?

[GetTheRightVote]

2. Thank you for the funds guys, very handy in the campaign.

[progdog]

3. That's great to know.

If California had not changed the primary date this time Obama would have won here.
JMHO.

[SunsetDreams]

4. awesome!!! Thanks to our California brothers and sisters!

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Even though Obama has taken a hard-line stand against equal marriage?

And has virulent homophobes officially campaigning for him?

Just goes to show that not all Log Cabin Republicans belong to the GOP.

[Kittycat]

6. He has a leading Constitutional Lawyer and staunch Gay Rights Advocate

advising him.

Not sure if you knew that or not.

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. None of that changes plain and obvious facts

He has gone on the record, repeatedly, about his rejection of equal marriage. And does the name Donnie McClurkin ring any bells?

[Beregond2]

13. You're still pushing that

McClurkin nonsense? One "ex-gay" gospel singer appearing at one event hardly constitutes "rabid homophobes campaigning for him."

As for being against gay marriage, that is the only practical stance for a politician to take if he wants to get elected. He supports civil unions, and while they are not completely equivalent at this point in time, they will be. As a resident of WA, you should know that. Look at the bill that was recently passed here greatly increasing the rights and protections provided by CUs. It will take time, but eventually the government will be out of the marriage business entirely, and will offer nothing but civil unions. Marriage will be a religious matter, and the bigots won't be able to use that as an excuse to deny gays the right to legal unions. You have to take the long view.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

7. And how is Bill Clinton's DADT and DOMA working out for you?

Hillary is not one iota different on LGBT issues.

[TechBear_Seattle]

10. Nice strawman ya got there

The topic is not Clinton. And anyway, while Obama is not worse, I fail to see how he is any better on matters of gay rights.

[David__77]

12. That's silly.

Of course the topic is Clinton - and McCain too. There are only three viable candidates for president. One will win.

[davidinalameda]

14. Hillary Clinton has refused to call for the entire repeal of DOMA

unlike Obama

but we all know that her marching in a parade is far more important than that, no?

[Tatiana]

8. I believe this. California, believe it or not, is Obama's highest fundraising state.

They've raised over $4+ million for him.

[Cha]

9. Thanks, Jeremy Bernard and Rufus Gifford!

Obviously know who would be the best president of the United States of America.

[knixphan]

15. He's got a grand from this California resident.

GO FUNDRAISIN'!

[davidinalameda]

17. way cool!

[Catherina]

16. I went to Open Secrets to see who all my friends were supporting

The biggest checks to Obama back in 2007 and now are from the most influential Gays I know. McClurkin isn't even a blip on their radar which is how I knew the faux outrage about that here is just a cover. Castro street is wall to wall Obama signs.

Obama's going to win with full support of the Democratic Party's Left wing.