Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Obama on Ellen’s show but Prop 8 not talked about
I’m all prepared to eat crow on this one (some of you think I should do that every time I type a word but let’s deal with that later), but from written reports Barack Obama made a surprise appearance “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” yesterday (it will air today).
The host and guest talked about dancing—apparently when Mrs. Obama spoke to Ellen last month she talked a little smack about her husband’s hoofing skills—what his daughters were going to wear for Halloween, and the help Obama would offer to get actor George Clooney to appear on Ellen’s show.
Now I haven’t seen a clip and all of the articles I’ve read about the Obama/Ellen conversation could be incomplete; however, Prop 8 didn’t come up. Not once. So even when talking to a friendly audience, Obama keeps quiet on an election issue that a large number of gays and lesbians see as critical. Like I said yesterday, Obama will not say a mumbling word on Prop 8 proving what has been noted before. He is no better, or worse, than your standard Democratic pol willing to put gay issues on the back burner.
Wayne and Sooner,
I am not sure which is worse, your wilful ignorance of the Rethuglican Party attitude towards gays or your vacuous commentary about a subject you either don’t know or care not a wit about.
I say this only because at the moment you have but two choices in the US election. Given comments made by the Rethuglican pitbull in Lipstick Sarah Palin and the odious verbal feces bring thrown about but others in the party, I am at a loss to understand your distaste for Mr. Obama.
True, he may offer all that gays want but, and this is important so listen up, he at least acknowledges there are issues that need to be addressed where gays are concerned.
The Rethuglicans would I have no doubt, given the chance, find a way to make being gay illegal or worse. Do not delude yourselves into thinking otherwise.
As for why Mr. Obama may not have address prop 8 is clear by many who have posted here but frankly, you two need to grow up. If you support the Rethuglican party fine, but don’t dare claim in any way, shape or form that they are the standard bearers of fairness and decency for they are most assuredly not.
BTW, Wayne please use a little more wit when throwing names, Obamatons? please do us the courtesy of something a little more inventive.
Here endeth the lesson
James Wrote: “…Obama will not say a mumbling word on Prop 8 proving what has been noted before. He is no better, or worse, than your standard Democratic pol willing to put gay issues on the back burner.”
The back burner is EXACTLY where the gay issue needs to be.”
look what happened four years ago when gay issues were front and center. If Obama were to speak out for gay rights it would not gain him one vote. Speaking out would surely cost him the support of many voters who are now in his corner but do not support gay rights. It might make a lot of gay people happy at the moment but would likely cost Obama a victory on November 4th and with it the only hope gay rights has.
James, I believe you are writing from emotion and not considering the logic (if there is any) of politics. You seem too wrapped up in the battle and not able to focus on the war.
blacksteel: I have a better idea. Instead of blaming Obama of the No on 8 strategists, maybe we should be be spending more money to fight the amendment?
Half the reason the amendment is going to pass is because gay people just aren’t willing to make big sacrifices to fight it the way the haters are making to pass it.
I’m a gay man living in Southern California. My partner and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary last week. We got hitched in July when the laws changed. Prop 8 is significant to us.
#1 – The Prop 8 campaign needs to get TOUGH fast. They have been playing softball against homophobes that are throwing rocks.
#2 – LGBT people need to come out…NOW! Tell straight family/friends/strangers that we deserve equality.
#3 – Why hasn’t Schwarzenegger spoken publicly about NO ON 8? He publicly committed to do so. Why hasn’t the NO ON 8 Campaign had our governor do a commercial or at least use his words in a commercial. I think it would help significantly. History shows that when (then) Governor Ronald Reagan spoke out against the BRIGGS INITIATIVE (a week before the vote), that Californians voted against it because of his stance.
#4 – Why isn’t Ellen DeGeneres speaking about Prop 8 EVERY DAY on her show??? She has spoken more about Prop 2. I’m all for humane animal treatment . . . but what about people too??? Jesus, Bob barker mentioned getting dogs and cats getting fixed at the end of every show. Come on Ellen!
To all reading this – BE VISIBLE! BE VOCAL! BE CLEAR! BE LOUD! BE CONVINCING! This is not a time for shyness.
Chris,
“Coming from a LCR however, I don’t expect you to see the difference.”
Not a member of the LCR. Not a Republican either. Why you keep saying this is beyond me.
Also I didn’t compare Obama to a Republican. Compared him to other mainstream Democrats.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
James
Ok, so Obama isn’t a paragon or a champion for the GLBT cause.
Show me someone who has a chance of doing better and maybe I’ll think about changing my vote.
Til then, I’m sincerely hoping you’re not planning on voting for McCain, who said that if his state legalized gay marriage he would push for an amendment to counter it.
Small steps forward are better than steps backward.
While it is disappointing (if what you say is true) that eh didn’t discuss it (and why didn’t Ellen bring it up?) – to then equate Obama to “every other Republican” is ridiculous. Obama has mentioned several times before that he does not want Prop. 8 to pass, that he at least supports Civil Unions etc. This is LIGHT years ahead of McCain and Palin, who recently said she WANTS a Constututional Amendment to ban it altogether. Coming from a LCR however, I don’t expect you to see the difference.
Should read:
“If Prop 8 is passed I blame the gay bloggers such as Towleroad who would rather receive a nice pat on the head from the Democratic Party than challenge Obama to walk the walk for our cause!”
Stop sucking up to Obama and start standing up for LGBTQ equality Towleroad and you other Democratic Party apologists!
Hey Wayne,
Your ‘input’ is sorely missing over on the “Biden opposes Calif. gay marriage ban; Palin calls for federal amendment” discussion.Do you still somehow believe that the McPalins are our “friends’?
Still delusional as usual I see. As tbrough said, get some depth.
And “sooner”, it isn’t that we are “uncritical”; it’s that we seem to have a better appreciation of how things actually work in the Good Ole U. S.of A. (TM) politically. (Here’s a free clue: read what tbrough posted at October 22nd, 2008 at 10:05 am )
Wayne, I agree with most of what you have been posting, and am amazed that so many gays are cheerleading for Obama with an uncritical eye.
The Democratic Party has bought off many gay bloggers such as Towleroad with token acknowledgments like a press pass to the Democratic Convention, and now Towleroad and others have betrayed the gay community to beat the drum for Obama even though Obama refuses to help us in a meaningful way to defeat Prop 8. If Prop 8 is defeated I blame the gay bloggers such as Towleroad who would rather receive a nice pat on the head from the Democratic Party than challenge Obama to walk the walk for our cause!
I can’t believe the comments. Joe Biden said he opposed it. Isn’t he on the ticket as much as Palin is on the GOP ticket? Why can’t Obama say that he opposes it?? Is it wrong to oppose bigotry as the Presidential candidate, but ok as VP??
Wayne,
Here is a big DUH for you. A) Obama is running for President of the USA, not Mayor of SF. B) He knows full well what would happen if he said on national TV that he supports Gay Marriage.
He’d be slaughtered for the remaining two weeks of the election. Bill Ayers would be gone, Prop 8 would be all you heard. While it is safe for Sarah “Tolerant” Palin to go around spouting her support for a federal marraige amendment to her base of pitchfork and torch waving cannibals, it is not safe for Obama to throw them red meat. Get some depth, guy.
“So even when talking to a friendly audience, Obama keeps quiet on an election issue that a large number of gays and lesbians see as critical.”
Friendly audience? No one else would be listening? Let’s suppose that Obama were to take the bait and speak out against Prop 8. What do you think Republicans would do? Among other things, they would instantly tie it in with their strategy of convincing voters that Obama is dangerous and untrustworthy. They would accuse him of flip-flopping and of being an opportunist who says different things to different audiences, telling each what they want to hear. It would be a major gift to Republican strategists.
It’s crucially important to gays across the country to prevent McCain/Palin from winning this election. As to California and Prop 8, instead of trying to blame Obama for not coming out against the proposition, how about blaming, instead, the severe weakness and ineffectiveness of the No on Prop 8 strategies?
And what about Schwarzenegger who committed himself to fight Prop 8?
So, lets hear what all you Obamatons have to say now. Where is this courageous leader you’ve vouched for so often? The Obama camp and his gay followers droned on and on about how Obama cares so passionately about gay issues. Really? PATHETIC!