Talk of Nunn as Obama’s running mate rankles activists

[canis_lupus]

From The Washington Blade:

Gay activists have expressed alarm that some Democratic Party insiders are asking Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, to consider selecting former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn as his running mate.

Nunn has been credited with playing a pivotal role in killing President Bill Clinton’s 1993 proposal to lift the ban on gays in the military while Nunn served as chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Before the gays in the military issue surfaced, Nunn confirmed that he forced at least two members of his Senate committee staff to resign in the 1980s after he learned they were gay, saying they posed a risk to national security matters likely to come before the committee.

“Sam Nunn would be a disaster as a running mate and a total anathema to millions of Americans,” wrote gay rights advocate and Democratic Party fundraiser David Mixner on his blog. “His presence would totally diminish the power of the Obama campaign notion of change” and “would show that ‘politics as usual’ has supplanted the ‘change in politics’ mantra,” Mixner wrote.

http://www.washblade.com/2008/6-13/news/national/12768.cfm

"Rankles"? I think I would have picked a better word like "nauseates," "fills with revulsion" or perhaps "induces the immediate need to shit."

[bluestateguy]

1. I don't see where Nunn helps all that much

He's been out of office for 12 years, and many people don't remember him. The experience that he brings can be found in many other candidates--who are not anti-gay.

[Benhurst]

2. To say nothing of Nunn's ties to the military/industrial complex.

:puke:

[Captain Hilts]

3. He's an anti-gay shit that prevented permitting gays to serve in the military.

He slammed the door on Bill Clinton's proposal and set a conservative tone for the rest of Clinton's first term.

[jobycom]

5. He also helped start the talk of an anti-marriage amendment

And that talk is what forced Clinton to support the DOMA, to head off the amendment.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Yes, even Mikulski voted for it. What an election year crock that was. nt

[jobycom]

4. I think the Nunn talk is just payback to Nunn for help on the campaign.

They are rewarding Nunn by batting his name around, giving him some publicity, boosting his speaking engagement fees and any book deals he's considering. Probably improves his stock as a lobbyist, too.

I can't imagine how a disliked senator out of the limelight for over a decade would help Obama as a running mate. Anything Nunn brings, others bring better. No one with Obama could seriously be considering him.

I hope.

[mitchtv]

7. I remember him milking the "ick" factor

by visiting a submarine with cameras in tow, to show how close teh gay can get ( could be contagious). I would stay home if he were nominated

[terrya]

11. I vividly remember that. It was fucking shameful.

As I was watching footage in anger, I said to myself "yeah, we fucking get your goddamned bigoted message, you piece of shit homophobe. Those beds are SO close together...we fags just can't resist anything with a penis, apparently". Nevermind the fact that gay men in the military are as just as professional as heterosexual soldiers and sailors.

[ruggerson]

8. It should rankle everyone, not just gay activists

[Rowdyboy]

9. Why opt for Nunn when Bob Graham is the same age, has better creds and is from Florida....

where Obama stands a real chance.

Nunn would be a disaster. Graham, however, would be a real asset to the ticket.

[terrya]

10. It's puke inducing. It's throwing things against the wall in anger.

It's a fucking dealbreaker for me if it happens. I'm staying home in November if Nunn is the VP. Fuck that goddamned piece of shit homophobe. Selecting him would make a lie out of everything Barack Obama has said about LGBT equality. If Nunn is on the ticket, there goes repeal of DADT and there goes any enactment of ENDA, the "Matthew Shepard Act", etc. It would be a yet another slap in the face to our community if that unrepentant homophobe gets the VP slot. Besides Donnie McClurkin.

This talk of Nunn is making me sick to my stomach. It erases any enthusiasm I have for Barack Obama as the nominee. And I'll say it...if Hillary was the nominee, this talk of Nunn as VP would not be happening.

A couple of weeks ago there was a conference call from the Obama campaign to LGBT Democrats. A call to reach out to LGBT Democrats pledging their support of the LGBT community and its issues. It was a nice gesture...sort of meaningless in a way, since people on the call couldn't ask questions of Steve Hildebrand, deputy Obama campaign manager. But a nice gesture. But someone needs to contact Hildebrand to tell the nominee that this talk of Nunn is is going to piss a LOT of LGBT Democrats off to the point where they just might decide to stay home this November. As I WILL do if this enemy to our community is chosen as Obama's running mate.

[gaspee]

12. I really

Remembered Nunn being a Republican - seriously - in my memory, he has a big 'ole honkin' R next to his name.

I think, IMO - let me stress that -- Obama hasa personal issue with gay people. As in he is uncomfortable with us. Ans I believe this for many reasons. All based on his behavior and statements.

I could see him running with Sam Nunn. Gross.

[dbackjon]

13. I will not vote for Obama-Nunn

No way. Can't do it.

And FUCK all the insiders that want that bigoted piece of shit as VP.

[readmoreoften]

I think that's a step too far for me. I'd most likely leave the party and go 3rd.

I won't vote for a President Nunn. You never know what could happen to your POTUS. That's like the choice between voting for McCain and McCain.

[readmoreoften]

14. .