The GOP field is shaping up to be a disaster of epic proportions. Other than openly gay long shot Fred Karger, the rest of this motley crew is virulently anti-gay, or pretending to be in an effort to kiss up to social conservatives in Iowa and South Carolina. This sorry batch of embarrassing contenders will only degenerate further if Sarah Palin gets into the race — as it seems like she is likely to do.
In terms of the the GOP field, there is no silver lining, no hope, and no pro-LGBT Republican savior. This is the truth and it is reality for those who choose to embrace it.
It is clear that Barack Obama is the obvious choice for the Human Rights Campaign, the LGBT community’s national lobby. Their early endorsement is wise because it sends a strong signal that the community will organizeand mobilize to reelect the most LGBT supportive contender in the race — one with a fairly good record on LGBT rights. While far from perfect, Obama did work to repeal Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell and used his bully pulpit effectively, even making an “It Gets Better” video. Whatever his shortcomings (No ENDA or DOMA repeal etc.) he is light-years ahead of his Republican counterparts.
Anyone who argues otherwise is naive, obtuse, or in denial — which brings us to the pathetic press release put out by homosexual Republican group GOProud:
“Today, the Human Rights Campaign chose to endorse Barack Obama’s re-election even though the field running for President in 2012 isn’t even set yet. This pre-emptive endorsement ends HRC’s charade of bipartisanship.
“LGBT people who are interested in putting policy before partisanship now know that HRC is little more than a puppet of the Democratic National Committee and an organization that has one goal – to elect more Democrats.”
So, the sophistic and shallow storyline put forth by GOProud is essentially that Republicans are willing to support LGBT equality, but have become anti-gay only because they have been snubbed by HRC. They are only throwing anti-gay tantrums and have horrible voting records because they have hurt feelings and are not getting the respect they deserve.
Sadly, there are naive or politically illiterate liberals who are buying this hogwash and questioning the timing of HRC’s endorsement. They foolishly wonder if such a quick endorsement will deplete the leverage of the LGBT lobby.
Um, what leverage?
The hard truth is that the GOP presidential candidates desperately do not want HRC’s endorsement and would see it as the kiss of death. Imagine trying to win the Iowa caucuses as a Republican with a Human Rights Campaign endorsement. It would end one’s chances faster than endorsing universal healthcare!
Another silly argument postulates that in order to be more effective, the LGBT movement has to be truly bipartisan. I agree that we would be so much better off if we had the support of both parties — because it would give us enormous leverage with Democrats who have sometimes taken our money while placing our issues on the back burner.
Unfortunately, true bipartisanship at this moment in time is a pipe dream. The GOP has consciously chosen to embrace fundamentalists as a key part of its base. During the next election cycle they will do nothing to upset this crucial constituency and candidates will pander in any Iowa or South Carolina fundie church that will let them in the door. Anyone who doesn’t understand these obvious political dynamics should not be working in the LGBT movement.
This, of course, doesn’t mean we should stop working to gain the support of Republicans. Indeed, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg gave a marvelous speech in favor of marriage equality at Cooper Union on Thursday. But, let’s be honest and acknowledge that this is the exception and not the rule. Indeed, even as we have seen elite Republicans endorsing equality, we have not witnessed many political leaders in positions of real power or the grassroots change course. I wish I could report otherwise — but the facts do not lie.
This is a critical election. The Republicans already run the House of Representatives and have a good chance of taking over the Senate. Imagine the nightmare of Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney or, God forbid, Michele Bachmann occupying the White House with a Republican Congress?
Please, do not scoff at this horrifying possibility. Any student of history understands that the world is full of examples of unthinkable political outcomes that have caused havoc in the lives of vulnerable minorities. If by some chance unemployment rises another 3-5 points, the electorate will be in a foul mood and may be willing to rock the boat in unfathomable ways.
If Republicans control DC, they will be answering to those that brought them to the big dance — namely the Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins and sundry fundamentalist organizations. They would likely pass all kinds of horrendous anti-gay bills — many that would presumably be unconstitutional. Unless, of course, President Palin gets to pick one or two Supreme Court justices who would whiz through the Senate confirmation process.
What about the filibuster? Does any thinking person truly believe it would survive this lawless bunch that has no respect for precedent and history? This legislative option would disappear as fast as LGBT rights.
At times, Truth Wins Out has been harshly critical of the Obama administration. As a nonpartisan group we will continue to hold the president accountable, as we do all elected officials. However, let’s stop the game-playing and pretending that the Republicans have put forth palatable candidates. The entire bigoted batch is a disgrace to this nation and anyone who feigns otherwise should not be taken seriously as a political commentator.
Truth Wins Out does not endorse candidates. But, we think the LGBT community should stop the hand-wringing and childish game-playing and embrace HRC’s bold decision. The more time HRC has to organize and mobilize, the better off our community will be.
Is GOProud a pro gay group? One could never tell from the positions they take and the candidates they support.
The Democrats have done very well in the month of May due to the terror unleashed by republican union bashing, the naked drive to suppress voters likely to vote Democratic and the desire to privatize Medicare and Social Security. Even if the unemployment rate does rise a bit (I hope it doesn’t), it looks like more and more people, even many middle class republicans, are waking up to the danger we are in–except of course the kool-aid drinkers; but they’re already brain-dead.
Sorry but I don’t fawn over the president like the post on here. Bully Pulpit?? Please!!! Let’s get the fact straight. First DADT is still not repealed and the administration is still kicking out GLB soldiers. Second the administration wanted to kick DADT down the road until this year when it surely would have lost. It was pressure from Congress especially Nancy Pelosi who pushed this and forced the president’s hand. Before that he gave many pretty speeches but did not push to get the repeal passed. Third he agreed to this absurd foot dragging that means that this truly probably won’t be repealed until September.
In the meantime this administration has refused to block ther deportation of bimational couples, they have made very little movement on DOMA except for taking a very narrow legal interpratation that they believe a part of DOMA is illegal and they have refused to come out in favor of marriage equality. This is where I think we could have used the leverage. Let’s face it most GLBT Americans are going to vote for the president irregardless of an endorsement by HRC. HRC should have fought for more before giving their endorsement. It just goes further to enforce the view of HRC as Obama’s lap dog. That’s why I and many others have boycotted the HRC for years. I’m as liberal as they come and I want to see them stand up not lay out the feet of the Democrats.
And now we get a Pride proclamation that doesn’t mention gay relationships as it has done in the past. Plus when his press secretary is asked about support for marriage equality he says his views haven’t changed. I’m just shocked!!! Of course why should he since HRC has given him their blessing.
I agree with statement #3 above. Yes, the reality is most gays and lesbians will reward Obama with their vote in November, 2012. But reward him for just what? Being able to say what the letters GLBT stand for without stuttering, willing to be seen in the White House with GLBT taxpayers, who by the way are from the A-list? These words from Obama carry little weight when trying to apply for a job, a loan, an apartment, or a marriage license. We need progressive laws, not just pretty statements. I, too, am as liberal as you can get, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to surrender my integrity as an openly gay activist by voting for a candidate who treats our G/L citizenship like a door mat–we always just lay down and let ourselves be walked on and wiped with. Come the election I’m leaving that first box on the ballot as blank as Obama’s claim of friendship for our equality movement. I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore.
GOProud’s leader, Chris Barron, married his boyfriend in DC last year. Yet…GOProud refuses to include marriage equality and repeal of DOMA on its agenda. Back in February 2011, GOProud refused to support repeal of DADT. They actually believe we have our equality. The Log Cabiners aren’t conservative enough, apparently.
That said, I’d like to see ENDA passed this year, another thing GOProud probably won’t support, maybe not the LG either. Other than that, what else will Obama declare support for in 2012 I wonder? Forget about marriage equality, not going to happen.
@Robert, GOProud doesn’t support “equality” because it’s a code word, to them, for communism/socialism. They have a convoluted, moronic sense of the words “liberty” and “freedom,” as they are too dense to understand that their agenda of “freedom” only includes “freedom TOs,” but doesn’t take into account “freedom FROMs,” as liberalism/progressivism does.
yeah, you don’t endorse, wayne; just whatever you do, don’t vote for those evil GOPers! LOL. You two are a JOKE.