Comments on Some Observations on the Rallies

I totally agree with your comment about Locke's energy. I almost didn't recognize him as our former governor. And was it my imagination, or was Sims so excited that he really tripped over Hillary's last name?

Clinton NEVER talks about gay rights unless she's at an Human Rights Commission fundraiser. And she refuses to contemplate getting rid of DOMA -- she not only helped institute it, but she wants to keep at least half of it.

Obama mentions gay rights in almost every big speech, and makes a special point of discussing the subject in front of the toughest audiences -- like those Southern black Christians who love Donnie McClurkin. He takes it right to them. Clinton never has, never will.

I don't have a problem with gays who support Clinton. But any gay person who thinks Clinton's ever going to say or do a damn thing on his or her behalf is dreaming. That day will never come.

Why don't you discuss what is REALLY important when choosing the next President of the United States? .... Which candidate would you rather have a beer with?

Actually, the fainty girl incident was handled even better than that. While yakking, Obama walked over to the edge of the stage to bend over and get his water bottle (which he hadn't touched yet). I then expected him to pause for a few moments in order to get a drink from it. Instead, he simply tossed it (in a non-random way) into the mass of youths about 10 feet in front of him. He then kept talking for a little more before interrupting his speech to see if it was more serious than just a slightly fatigued supporter.

I thought this was cool because he spotted a trouble spot and took action (throwing the bottle) without making a big deal of it right away. But a few seconds later he noticed that it may have been serious and drew attention to it.

The girl sat down and/or was given some space and eventually she was carried out of the crowd. A few medics turned up to probably give her some oxygen.

This white faggot's been for Obama for a long time, even if the Donnie McClurkin kerfuffle was an embarassing mis-step of planning by his staff, and could have been managed better by him at the time. I stepped back, but not away, to see what he would do later. His bold, challenging speech to the Ebenezer Baptist Chruch on MLK Day, calling out homophobia for all the wrong that it is, especially within a community that should understand the pain of oppression. This speech took courage and did a lot to restore my faith in his integrity.

Unfortunately the Clintons (and yes, I think on this issue it's fair to pair them) have a much spottier record and a clear willingness to throw queers under the bus as soon as our checks have cleared. Before Bill was even sworn in, his Don't Ask/Don't Tell/Don't Pursue was a lousy compromise. Once he was in office, the actual policy wasn't even followed--the military asked and pursued. Lives were destroyed and millions of tax dollars wasted.

The DOMA betrayal was only salt in this wound.

Sure, Hillary has claimed she now supports repealing DA/DT/DP and against DOMA. And yes, Hillary's got HRCF sewn up tight, along with a lot of the Guppie vote, but I'm not impressed. Until I see her do something non-fundraising-related and bold, where's it takes courage and principle... I remain in the Obama camp.

My partner and I are supporting Obama. Also, what 2 & 5 said.

In his short unscheduled speech outside, before addressing the crowd in the Key, Obama stopped mid-sentence to ask a guy to get down from the pole he had climbed for a better view.

"I don't want to see you get hurt," he said.

Barack Obama seriously knows how to ignite a crowd, and proved it today.

Clinton certainly doesn't have my vote. On gay issues I don't trust her any further than I could throw her. I really believe that Obama "get's it", while Clinton just pays lip service to us because that is what Democrats are supposed to do.

Um, why did you go to a Bratmobile reunion show...?

Hey-

Here's how to find your caucus location:
http://41dems.org/gmap/caucus.html

There's no such thing as "the gay vote" (we are anything but a monolith) and I, along with my partner and a wide majority of our gay friends, are caucusing for Obama tomorrow. I remember Bill Clinton signing DOMA into law like it was yesterday. That was a moment of profound disrespect and disregard for gay men and women who had tirelessly supported him. Even though he's not on the ballot, that decision looms infinitely larger for me in this election than does an unfortunate invitation to a gospel singer.

HRC may also have the gay vote locked up because she's been endorsed by cher and babs.

#12: Sadly I think that's the case. I've cringed with embarrassment at some of the reasons--or lack thereof--some of my gay male friends have given for supporting Hillary.

@13, sadly, agreed. We fags just loves our Strong White Women, and Hillary's the closest Gen X has had to a Joan-Crawford-of-politics.

"Doooooooooooon't Fuck with Me, Fellaaaaaaas!"

Yes, and I love Joan as much as the next fag! This is definitely not Hillary's first time at the rodeo!

After I wrote that, I thought about it, and I realized I do have many gay friends who are behind Obama and most of those seem to be the ones that are interested in politics, history, etc.

The gay male Hillary supporters (at least in my social circles) are completely vapid. Their reasonings are "she's fierce, girl!" at worst and "I think America is ready for a woman president" is probably the best they ever muster.

This election has brought my opinion of some of my acquaintances' intellect way, way down I have to admit. Not because they support Hillary, but because they do it loudly with no back-up. I even had one guy say "why are Red States the conservative ones--Red is more of a statement and bolder color than Blue!" He was half-joking but still...I cringed....

Conversely, I don't see that among straight Hillary supporters I know. I see valid, well thought-out rationale from them why Hillary is the better Democrat for the Party. I don't agree, but it is clear thought and searching went into their decision to support Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama.

@5:
Exactly. And I am really pissed at Dan for not talking about this after raising such a huge stink about said "kerfuffle." That speech in Atlanta took balls.

I agree with @4 (stinkbug): Obama nonchalantly helped the fainting girl out until he thought something was seriously wrong - and then, after he determined she was fine, said "Now where was I?", and then continuing on with his speech as though nothing happened. Not that this is a defining moment in his candidacy, but it shows just how at ease he is with people, even in a huge crowd.

Thanks for the details from outside, @7.

I've been more excited about Obama than I have been for any presidential candidate ever (my first election was in 92), and the energy at the arena rally today was just incredible!

I really don't see that much difference between Obama and Clinton at this point; I think their policies and ideas are pretty similar, and I don't feel that Clinton's greater experience is that much of a selling point. I do feel like Obama is just more real as a human being - maybe it has to do with his personal story.

Anyways, I also was going to check out Clinton last night, but when I mapped where the rally was I couldn't believe it - really inaccessible by bus. I know it was last minute, but was that really the best location they could get? I sure as hell wasn't going to walk around some industrial area in the dark by myself.

I do have to admit to being disappointed with some of the opening speakers for Obama today - I'm sure Ron Sims would have put that arena over the top if he'd endorsed Obama. The first two campaign people were ok; the guy who came out with the drummer and Rev. Pat was totally boring (read from a printout and didn't make any connection with the crowd); it seemed like Nickels got nearly as many boos as cheers but was ok; Adam Smith was pretty good; and Gov. Gregoire was a big surprise - I've never seen her speak before and wasn't expecting such a punchy talk. Good move on her part to endorse Obama.

I added a link (in the comments section) to the video of the speech if you want to see how he handled the fatigued woman incident.

There is no unified "gay vote." I was at the Obama rally today and certainly wasn't the only queer present. My bf, on the other hand, has a soft spot for Hillary. It will be touching to see his reaction when she gets steamrolled in the caucus.

@4: Yes, that's a more detailed version. Correct, as far as I know (I was sitting far away).

@9: They were opening for Sleater-Kinney, if I remember correctly, at Ladyfest 2000 in Olympia. Awesome show.

Great speeches creep me out. People always get hurt.