About 6:40 pm today, the Obama campaign issued a written statement from the candidate saying that he "strongly disagree(s)" with McClurkin's views. Still, a spokesman said McClurkin would remain part of the concert line-up.
"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country," Obama said in the written statement.
"I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division," the statement added.
My first thought is that the people running Obama's campaign are amazing incompetent. Obama should have never gotten into this decision to begin with. Now that he is he can't split the difference between the gay rights movement and black Christians. The letter Obama had gay activists sign is horrible PR, politics and shows he has no interest in gay rights. (Which doesn't surprise me.)
Pastor McClurkin believes and has stated things about sexual orientation that are deeply hurtful and offensive to many Americans, most especially to gay Americans. This cannot and should not be denied.
At the same time, a great many African Americans share Pastor McClurkin's beliefs. This also cannot be ignored.
So, he has to court the homophobic base because this "cannot be ignored." Obama is not ready for prime time. He kept saying that experience isn't a big deal. We don't see Hillary Clinton or John Edwards pitting two Democratic bases against each other.
Obama is not ready. His campaign has already been a joke. Now this.
Check out Obama in this YouTube video
ReplyDeletehttp://youtube.com/watch?v=1s-mEfhVELM
He's just NOT THE ONE.
ReplyDeleteHe's a shill to hand the reins to Hill. We've seen this so recently in Florida that it's not too hard to catch on. There's a group suing over the FLorida's governor election but Jim Davis will take no part in it. Hmmm.
How many lost votes to Vern Buchanan?? Multiply that even a few times. Governor Jim Davis. OR the other Dem guy. Not big on names.
Either way, they're part of the problem. I went to hear obama speak. Iconic phrases linked together with pauses for applause. There's a world of difference between he and john edwards.
original speeches and original ideas. Not calling for attacks on pakistan, etc.
Great call on that one Nostradamus.
ReplyDeletegreat balls on that one, anonymous.
ReplyDeleteanonymous you misconstrued my comment. I didn't say obama couldn't win ... I just DID NOT WANT HIM TO.
ReplyDeleteanyway ... it's water under the bridge.
soon enough we'll see who is nostril hairs and who isn't???