Gays Conspicuously Absent from Obama DNC 2010 Video
In new video taped on Friday by President Obama to coincide with an email blast to 13,000 people from DNC Grassroots project Organizing for America and DNC Chair Tim Kaine, LGBT people are conspicuously absent from a list of groups Obama is specifically counting on in 2010 Democratic reelection efforts. In the past, gays and lesbians have been included in lists such as these.
Says Obama in the video, in part: "So that's what we're going to do. ... It will be up to each of you to make sure that the young people, African Americans, Latinos, and women, who powered our victory in 2008 stand together once again. ... If you help us do that – if you help us make sure that first-time voters in 2008 make their voices heard again in November – then together we will deliver on the promise of change, hope, and prosperity for generations to come."
Watch the video, AFTER THE JUMP...
In related news, whispers of White House threats.
@Ryan - he didn't sign an Executive Order. He signed a memorandum. An Executive Order would have been somewhat impressive. A memorandum is a nice gesture, but not much more than what he could say in a speech.
And while it's nice that LGBT people wanting to visit their partners are allowed to (provided they are carrying folders full of documentation, while heterosexual partners need only show the ring on their finger), but what if your partner is injured while defending the country? What then? Oops...can't visit them in the hospital because then Obama fires them for being gay.
Hope to see you next Sunday, May 2nd in DC for the Repeal DADT Rally.
Posted by: JamieMcG | Apr 26, 2010 11:33:06 AM
This is okay by me since my checks to the DNC and my former across-the-board-no-questions-asked support is also conspicuously absent.
Posted by: Donald | Apr 26, 2010 11:38:58 AM
@JR - I see where you're coming from now and I'm not going to argue with you. It's not worth the effort. The apologist mentality will never work.
Posted by: Xtopher | Apr 26, 2010 11:39:43 AM
the president doesn't feel we are worth the effort. he is as bad as nixon was. we have made obamas enemies list and he'll get us for it.it is bad news when a president can't take the heat and lashes out. shows a lack of class. i rather use my vote this time to vote against canidates not for them.
when repuklicans treat like shit we get on our high horse fight back, but when the demo
hipocrits do it we apologize to them
Posted by: walter | Apr 26, 2010 11:53:01 AM
I encourage anyone considering staying home on election day NOT to do that! In the past two Presidential elections, I have voted, however, I took a cue from John Kerry and 'abstained' from voting for any candidate for President. (Kerry abstained from the DOMA vote) I refuse to vote for the lesser of two evils, but I also refuse to not participate. I did not vote for President Obama either; based directly on his public statements that HE DOES NOT SUPPORT SAME SEX MARRIAGE. (Anyone remember the 'debate' staged by Rick Warren at the Saddleback church??) I don't understand why everyone is surprised that the President isn't our saviour. The Executive branch of our government isn't the only one with influence over our rights, or even influence over the way we are portrayed politically. So, please, fellow homos VOTE! Vote for school board, city council, mayors, state Representatives,judges,sheriffs, Senators, Governors, US Representatives and Senators. Giving up on voting all together would be a huge political win for the people who despise us - we can't give up now just because one man is disappointing us.
On a side note, but connected. Please, brothers and sisters, stop supporting the HRC. If you want to give, give directly to candidates that YOU believe in.
Posted by: Robb | Apr 26, 2010 11:53:38 AM
Aren't gays included in young people, african americans, latinos, and women? We aren't a separate species or extra terrestrials; I believe we all fall into those groups.
Manufactured non story.
Posted by: Brian in Texas | Apr 26, 2010 11:59:10 AM
Do NOT stay home on election day. Instead, go and read the platform for the Green Party. It is wonderful. I have registered to be a Green Party member. We must force the Democrats to the left.
Posted by: Greenie | Apr 26, 2010 11:59:34 AM
The Obama apparatchiks in the West Wing and Exec. Office Bldg. don't care about the gay agenda or gay rights...they just care about the Gay-ATM. Other than Gates and Mullen at the Pentagon, has anyone really put any political-capital on the line for a gay-related issue?
A odd state of affairs when the E-Ring of the Pentagon is more progressive than a Democratic White House.
Posted by: Ted B. | Apr 26, 2010 12:17:19 PM
I didn't vote for him in 2008 and sure won't be voting for him in 2012. Especially after his racist and sexist appeal to all in America but White men. I will be voting against his agenda in 2010 by voting for Alan West in my district; we need balance in congress and having all legislating power in the hands of people like Pelosi is scary. My other issues in life trump my fear of anti-gay law makers. The biggest positive changes in the treatment and overall views of the LGBT community over the last 19 years has had little to do with new laws or anything Congress or the President has done. We are light years ahead of where we were in the 80s and it is due to a general move towards Libertarianism in this country.
The LGBT community would be much better off if they quit fearing the bogey man; the hard right; as they really have no power in the Republican party. If they actually would commit to downsizing government and focusing on reducing the Federal budget and overall influence on its Citizens I would become a lifelong member of their party.
Posted by: Jason | Apr 26, 2010 12:37:29 PM
@ Ted
Mullen and Gates are not politicians; they have no political capital. They are both appointed by the President and thus do the President's bidding. If Obama wasn't for DADT repeal they most likely would not be speaking out on it. I don't recall either of them making a peep when Bush/Cheney was in office.
A lot of you all are nitpicking the day by day non-stories and are missing the bigger picture. The process to repeal DADT is under way; bitching and throwing tantrums everyday is not helpful.
Posted by: Brian in Texas | Apr 26, 2010 1:00:59 PM
I appreciate the symbolism of hospital visitations and State department travel benefits, but the next republican prez will take that away. Marriage equality is what we need to get enacted.
Posted by: grego | Apr 26, 2010 1:01:06 PM
I'm sure he'll say he misspoke, the speech was taken out of context, he was misquoted and Joe Solmonese will just nod in agreement
Posted by: Name: | Apr 26, 2010 1:14:32 PM
How many of you commentors WATCHED the video as opposed to just read what this poster chose to focus on?
THIS WAS ABOUT GETTING THE "FIRST TIME VOTERS" who were inspired and came out to vote for this campaign to do the same again.
Posted by: MCnNYC | Apr 26, 2010 1:55:06 PM
The omission seems deliberate to me. All of his speeches are very carefully written. The (deserved) heckling he received from LGBT activists bruised his fragile ego.
Posted by: DH | Apr 26, 2010 1:57:06 PM
Why blame Obama when our entire system of "government" is broken? He is at the helm of a broken machine that has been on auto-pilot for decades. Either get used to the idea of waiting 20-30 years for a semblance of equality, or revolt using your tax dollars and refuse to be abused and bullied by the IRS and ballot box.
How to withdraw consent from the state -
http://www.wendymcelroy.com/comment.php?comment.news.2767
Posted by: John Bisceglia | Apr 26, 2010 1:57:48 PM
Now, I guess we're all happy GetEqual heckled the president?
Posted by: AndrewW | Apr 26, 2010 2:08:19 PM
While I agree that Obama "doesn't need us" to get re-elected, he almost certainly needs our $$ to accomplish two things: (1) an energized re-election campaign; and (2) energized congressional elections in November. (Remember, folks: Absent a cooperative Congress, Obama is just a placeholder until 2012.)
I decided within months of inauguration that, while I'd continue to vote democratic, no more campaign $$ until promises were fulfilled.
Posted by: Jerry | Apr 26, 2010 2:47:04 PM
@ANDREWW
Yes, Very happy GetEQUAL actually ASKED the President for some accountability. No one else seems to be...certainly not those we're paying a lot of money to do just that.
Do you honestly think you're going to gain equality by waiting patiently for it or by writing another check to Gay Inc? You're extraordinarily naive if you think that's true.
Posted by: JamieMcG | Apr 26, 2010 3:24:40 PM
Does any GLBT person with a brain cell in their head really believe at this point in his administration that Obama gives a shit about GLBT equality? Pull your head out of your ass and take a look at his actions(or even more relevent his INaction)verses his lofty (and unfortunately empty) rhetoric on ANY of the hundreds of GLBT related issues facing HIS administration and you'll see that his "Fierce" leadership is nothing more than fierce cowardice! Sooner or later the man(and his incompetent administration) will figure out that in one way or another dismissing,denigrating,diminishing or ignoring the millions GLBT voters and our numerous allies won't get them anywhere. Broken promises over and over again to the LGBT community just make him look pathetic and weak. Do the right thing for everyone Mr. President and start treating your millions of taxpaying GLBT voters with the respect we deserve and in turn we may even vote for you in 2012.
Posted by: SFshawn | Apr 26, 2010 3:29:29 PM
Obama just issued an executive order that is going to secure visitation rights at hospitals for gay and lesbian couples. Maybe this isn't a big thing to some of you, but it is to me. He signed hate crimes legislation. Employees of most federal agencies now have partner benefits. Progress is incremental, but there is no doubt that progress is being made, and that under the GOP we would't be this far. I expect to see ENDA passed and DADT repealed over the next several months. The progress that we've seen under Obama is greater than what I've seen (when it comes to law and policy) in my lifetime. I understand that people are frustrated, but try to be a little grateful for what has been done done, more supportive of trying to get more done, and less negative about the fact that it's taken longer than all of you would like. Obama's only been in office for a little over a year!
Posted by: Ian | Apr 26, 2010 3:59:00 PM
Ian its coming up on two years and imagine if you would if all this happened to people of a different color or religion. The broken promises, the being swept under the rug, being thrown crumbs. There would be riots in street by now.
Posted by: Wolf | Apr 26, 2010 5:48:55 PM
Oh an NO Ian "Employees of most federal agencies now have partner benefits."
WRONG
They have a few really lame ones like being able to take time off if your partner is sick. As far as Health insurance and such that was NOT given because it conflicts with DOMA.
Posted by: Wolf | Apr 26, 2010 5:52:15 PM
The omission seems deliberate to me. All of his speeches are very carefully written. The (deserved) heckling he received from LGBT activists bruised his fragile ego.
Posted by: DH | Apr 26, 2010 1:57:06 PM
TOTALLY AGREE.
Posted by: Joetx | Apr 26, 2010 6:14:51 PM
It's not as though President Obama pledged to try and look beyond party labels to see what we hold in common, to transcend identity politics, to include rather than to exclude, and to be president for all Americans.
I keep forgetting he's a Chicago pol who counts numbers. Don't mention the gays - they'll bring down your poll numbers. And they'll vote democratic anyway.
I would have actually given him major props if he had the cojones of a real leader and said something like 'It's up to you to inspire all of those who felt they have no voice to vote and add their voice to the national conversation,' without mentioning ANY specific group. That's how you move beyond politics as usual.
Posted by: huh? | Apr 26, 2010 9:06:54 PM
He also forgot, white bald men and the blue people of Pandora. When I say blue, I mean that with total respect and don't mean to single out people with tails. Unless it is Rush Limbaugh, he is white with a tail, we don't like those people and but believe in their right to exsist.
It is sad though, I really long for the days of being accepted. We preach love on Sundays, hate and intollerance Monday through Saturday.
My dollars have dried up for Obama and the Democratic party. If I can survive the Bush years, then I know I will be ok. Anything that passes will be a bonus. When the Dems follow through with ALL their pledges of gay rights, will I then contribute. Have no doubt, no more rights will pass on their own, because they don't have the votes, even today.
As for now, kinda done with talkers, and no matter what, done with the HRC.
Posted by: David | Apr 26, 2010 9:20:00 PM