All things considered, though, I wouldn't be surprised if this only makes a small bump in his polling numbers. He'll get past it, I imagine.

From an evil, 'fuck principles' Karl Rove perspective, the real people Obama needs to win the primary aren't gay people. They are straights who "don't hate" gay people but aren't big fans either. If he loses all his gay votes but gains some African-American and straight moderate votes through his "I-respect-gays-AND-ex-gay-minorities" lip service, he's made a net gain.

I wish we counted for more, but we just don't.

maybe a little over the top mostly

stupid. game over. bye!!!

Hello! McFly! Wake UP!

Obama's no dove. Hill may bomb Iran, but Obama seems keen to bomb Pakistan so I think that kind of evens it out.

John Aravosis can't be trusted on this issue...he described McClurckin as one obama's top surrogates, which is beyond absurd.

But man, last weekend was an incredible gaf. And so easily avoidable.

Hypothetical Obama staffer: "Donnie, when you get up on stage, just sing, okay. Just shut the fuck up about the gay thing and sing your gospel songs, and this will all just blow over."

I can't believe nobody in his campaign thought to have this conversation with McClurkin. And if nobody thought to have a little sit-down with McClurkin, what does this say about Obama and his campaign staff? What are they gonna do in the general election when they run up against the Roves and the Swiftboaters? That he could stumble this badly during a mostly polite primary does not speak well of his campaigning abilities.

Which is really too bad, because I still kinda like the guy, and I still like the idea of having a president someday in my lifetime that is not an old white guy, and I really thought maybe he was the one to break the cycle. Guess not.

I wish he'd shut up about it, but I can't blame him for wanting to set the record straight. He never said for example, that gay people are are trying to kill our children, something that's being repeated throughout the blogosphere, without a source.

game over.

Dear Friend,

Thank you for sharing your strong objections to past statements of
one of the performers on the recent South Carolina gospel tour. I
appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns directly because I
strongly disagree with Pastor McClurkin’s deeply hurtful and offensive
statements about sexual orientation.

I have always clearly stated my belief that members of the LGBT
community are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the
respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently
supported gay rights throughout my career, and I will continue to work for
an open, tolerant society where people of all sexual orientations are
protected and their contributions are valued.

To honor my commitment to promoting tolerance on the gospel tour,
I asked Rev. Andy Sidden, an openly gay South Carolina pastor, to open
the tour and offer a prayer. I’m glad he joined us, because we have
to speak to people we disagree with in order to confront issues that
are important to gay and black communities, like the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
I have spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the
need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts of the
Black community, and I will continue to be outspoken on this issue.

More broadly, we need to create a productive dialogue between
people of opposing views, and I had a good conversation about this with Joe
Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. After our
conversation, Mr. Solmonese issued a statement that said, in part:

“I did thank [Senator Obama]…. for his willingness to
call on religious leaders to open a dialogue about homophobia. We hope
that Sen. Obama will move forward and facilitate face-to-face meetings
with religious leaders, like Rev. McClurkin, and the GLBT community to
confront the issue of homophobia.”

“We also call on all of the presidential campaigns to look
within their ranks of supporters and make the same commitment to engage
in a dialogue among differing views around issues of equality and
fairness for our community.”

A group of LGBT and religious leaders have also embraced this
opportunity to open a dialogue, and you can find an open letter from them
below. I’ve said before that America’s diversity is its greatest
strength. In order to confront the challenges of our day, we must be
able to get past the divisions which have upheld our progress in the past.
I am committed to building those bridges to a better future.

Thank you again for contacting me and sharing your concerns.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

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.

"I just said yes," he said of his invitation by the Obama campaign. "I didn't know so much was going to happen. I didn't know my yes was going to mean I was misunderstood and vilified. .. . Sometimes people can take your words and do this with them," he said, making a twisting motion with his hands as the crowd shouted Amens and cheered for him.

After another song, he specially addressed the issue of homosexuality, saying he had been "touched by the same feelings."
Now a lot of people have over-stated the guy's relationship and closeness with Obama, and it should be possible to attend fundraisers without vetting every single person also attending the fundraiser and making sure everyone's politics are good, but Obama was simply stupid to let the guy play such a big role at the event and to let him bring up the issue.

so, for those who want to criticize his sincertity, i'm not sure that works. and for those who want to criticize his strategy: he might have gained support because of this. for those who feel he's not doing enough, or has been insulting, well, you are probably right.

Loved how McClurkin went all Willie Ninja immediately after saying that "God delivered me from homosexuality."

Two snaps for Reverend Girl, right there.

Because THERE'S a momentum killing scandal, Senator...when your ex-gay minister turns out to not be quite so ex.

Good luck getting your message out through the kind of media fog something like that would envelope you in.

though, in context, he appears to be speaking about pedophiles when he says "those who". he is/was, after, himself gay.

Not to mention where most of the al-Qaeda money, volunteers, and training comes from.

It's not at all surprising that he was the emcee, he's actually really good at that--he hosted the 2006 dove awards.

a. obama cant be voted for because of this
b. hillary cant be voted for because she would do "x"

the likelihood that obama moves against gay people is equally likely that he will do anything different than hillary in a 12-18 month period regarding foreign policy.

Let me guess. You're also the "no nig-nog" asshole.

Obama tells everyone he is not a homophobe, but his best friend is. And yet, a gay man wants (you) to vote for him?