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Loading ...Dean drops out of LGBT Democratic Party Fundraiser
06.24.2009 4:43pm EDT
(Washington) According to Ben Smith at Politico, former DNC Chairman Howard Dean has pulled out of tomorrow’s LGBT Democratic Party Fundraiser in Washington, D.C. A Dean spokeswoman, Karen Finney, said that he pulled out due to a scheduling conflict because of a “family commitment.” Dean was listed as one of the top four invites to the event, which Vice President Joe Biden is set to attend as well.
The fundraiser has met with much controversy in response to the Justice Department’s defense of the Defense of Marriage Act. Several other prominent figures have dropped out of the fundraiser because of the Obama administration’s stance on DOMA.“I will not attend a fundraiser for the National Democratic Party in Washington next week when the current administration is responsible for these kind of actions. How will they ever take us seriously if we keep forking out money while they harm us,” said author and civil rights activist David Mixner last week in a statement after pulling out from the fundraiser. “For now on, my money is going to battles within the community such as the fight in Maine or the March on Washington!”
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network announced Monday that they will have protesters outside of the event tomorrow.
“SLDN will be calling upon the President to end his silence on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” executive director Aubrey Sarvis released in a statement on SLDN’s website Monday. “We will be wearing and handing out buttons with the number 265, representing the number of service members who will have been discharged this week since President Obama was sworn in.”
Chuck Wolfe, president of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, and Hilary Rosen, the managing partner of the DC office of the Brunswick Group, have also dropped out of the event.
Openly gay elected representatives Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin, and Jared Polis are still scheduled to attend and are listed as three of the top four names on the invitation.
“I’m a Democrat and a proud Democrat. Our party’s not perfect but certainly I will help the Democrats however I can,” Rep. Polis explained to the Advocate on why he is still attending.
I’m glad that cancellations are happening; it drives the point home that we MUST be pushier with politicians in the future, and that includes Do-nothing Barney Frank.
Take names and keep a list. When elections approach, take a hard look at those names.
No equal rights, No money. That should be our official policy from now on.
Hmmm….seems like it’s time for America to live up to that “with liberty and justice for ALL” bit.
I gave Obama the benefit of the doubt on this at first but he’s dragging his feet and needs to be called on it. That’s happening and slowly but surely the pressure is going to work.
I do not regret voting for him and if I had it to do again, he’d get it over McCain or Clinton any day.
As for Mr Dean, who hasn’t had a last minute family issue come up. What reason would he have to drop out. He’s not running for office.
Mr Obama? Where’s OUR vote?
So far all they have done is “talk.” And this includes Barney Frank. When they start walking the walk in addition to talking the talk then I will resume my support. Until then – later!
Oh, my! Talk about “gluttons for punishment”. People are still going to attend this in view of the awful things they were called in the infamous brief defending DADT. Perhaps, as guests, those congresspersons could persuade the many discharged from the military under this shameful law to attend with them? After all, some of them lost their jobs translating terrorist chat in Arabic and Farsi so they might have a free evening, while the terrorists chuckle at the stupid American government & military. Everybody enjoy the dinner!!!
What can they possibly say to a gay audience? What can they point to as achieving? I certainly hope that no gay or lesbian people intend on donating.
If Frank, Baldwin, and Polis attend the DNC fundraiser and do not speak out against their own party, they will all be considered traitors by their community. It will then be time for the next generation of Democrats to rise up and replace them all.
It has become very obvious that Barney Frank is doing nothing other than what could be expected: PLAYING POLITICS! And we are the puck that is being hit by his hockey stick.
From this point on I think we need to be very careful in our selection process when addressing members of congress. Because they wear the Democrat pin we cannot assume anything until they walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Frank does a lot of talking but I have not seen a lot of walking – hopefully yet. Holding my breath? Nope.
The hits just keep coming from the DNC… Im not making the mistake of giving any of them money EVER again.
a “family commitment” that comes up the day before the scheduled fundraiser? What a crock…
Whatever his reasons, I’m glad he is not attending. I have lost a lot of respect for Rep’s Frank, Baldwin and Polis as a result of this situation. Their true priorities are quite clear.
Not another dime!
“show me the money”
SHOW ME EQUAL RIGHTS!
Then I open my wallet, plain and simple.