NYT: 'On Gay Rights, Obama Lets Surrogates Lead'

[Newsjock]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/31/us/politics/on-gay-rights-obama-lets-surrogates-take-the-lead.html

President Obama has long relied on his oratorical gifts to ease him through tricky political situations. But on the emotionally charged issue of gay rights, Mr. Obama has been content recently to let his lieutenants do the talking. And they have said some striking things.

... Mr. Obama’s strategy, administration officials and gay rights advocates said, reflects two conflicting forces. He recognizes that support for gay rights and same-sex marriage is growing, particularly among young voters.

But he is reluctant in an election year to be drawn into a culture-war issue — one that reliably helps Republicans turn out evangelical voters in their favor and also strikes a particular nerve with religious black voters, a bedrock Obama constituency in battleground states like North Carolina and Florida.

... There is little indication that Mr. Obama plans to endorse same-sex marriage before the presidential election in November, despite recent statements that tiptoe right up to that position. ... But in the absence of that symbolic step, the White House wants gay people to know that it stands with them.

[William769]

1. At least someone from the Administration is talking about it.

[David__77]

2. I know too many gay Republicans.

It is quite sad. I know a black gay Republican even. Usually, it's inherited from the family. In other cases, it comes from a nagging desire to be part of the "power structure," or somehow not on the bottom of a pyramid structure. They think that identifying with the right will somehow make them part of that elite to which they aspire.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

35. Sometimes it comes from just wanting to feel special and "different." I know black Republicans who

all they know are the talking points. When I quarrel with them about actual policies and issues, I learn that they know absolutely NOTHING about the RepubliCON platform but have just bought into the "I hate government" propaganda. (I am a black woman.)

[MADem]

3. There is little indication that Mr. Obama plans to endorse same-sex marriage before the presidential

election ...

Perhaps AFTER the election he'll get a bit more vociferous. It's astonishing how liberating it can be to not have to worry about a reelection campaign--he can do what he wants in his final term. His administration, too, is an entity unto itself. It's not like they'll have to protect their flanks against the fundy/backward voters for the VP; Biden will not be running for the top job in four years' time; hell, he's seventy already.

Our candidate in 2016 might be someone from within the administration--but maybe not, too. It'll be a whole new ball game. Ergo, Obama will be quite free to ACT in his last term.

[Occulus]

6. He slapped GLBTs in the face in his first five minutes

Are you saying that was an act?

[MADem]

13. No, not what I said at all. The word "act" has more than one meaning.

You apparently missed the point I was making.

Have a nice one.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

36. I agree 100% as opposed to Mr. Clinton who went around southern states bragging about DOMA.

I believe that Obama, if reelected, will repeal DOMA. We just need to give him a *PROGRESSIVE* Congress, since this is a legislative action, not an executive one. I'm frustrated that so many people refuse to understand this.

[MADem]

39. Congress has to repeal DOMA. They make law, not the Prez.

I have to say, though, it would seem to me that at least some agencies of the Federal government--most particularly, Hillary Clinton's State Department--are already ignoring DOMA like, dare I say, a Big Dog!

HRC is paying for travel and per diem (and the associated family programs/job preference opportunities) for spouses of gay state department personnel, which is something that DOMA specifically prohibits. It would seem that this administration, particularly the lead cabinet position's agency, doesn't give a shit about DOMA.

Maybe Obama did one of those "I'm ignoring this law" things, or maybe they just decided to flout it and dare anyone to come after them. I don't know what the mechanics are, but I do know that the administration has an "attitude" towards DOMA and it ain't "Aww, that's dandy."

It'll be interesting to read the history of the repeal of the law--I hope we'll be doing that soon.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

41. Sorry, that's what I meant to say. My point is that people are upset with Obama

for not repealing DOMA, but that is a congressional action. Still, my point stands. After signing DOMA into law, Clinton ran around the country--particularly in southern states--touting that he supported DOMA. I do believe that he won Georgia in 1996 because of that.

[MADem]

44. Clinton held his nose while doing it, though, I think.

It's tough to have to deal with idiots. The sad fact is that we've got--even today, still--way too many damn morons running around voting in this country. There's a fine line between caving to them, and doing the "He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day" routine.

I worked VERY hard on the DOD implementation of the repeal on the ban when Clinton was elected. We were within a month of having our shit completely together (and it's not just a "Wave the magic wand, the rule is changed" thing--there's a TON of regulations and paperwork that need to be changed to support the repeal, and I crawled through acres of paper identifying the changes and getting them ready for promulgation--seven days a week, fourteen hour days, exhausting, boring, mind-numbing labor) and no one was more pissed than I was when the whole thing got the kabash so close to the finish line. I got the sense from the people on Clinton's staff that NO ONE was happy about it, that they were quietly enraged, noses were out of joint, but they weren't able to overcome the situation politically. I boxed all that shit up and put it in the archives so it wouldn't get tossed out after two years (which is what happens). I have no idea if anyone has kept it, still, all these years, but even though the regs have been rewritten six ways to Sunday since then, there's still a lot of "lists" and basic language modifications that could still be used if they kept all that work. Of course, the question now is--does ANYONE have a computer that'll take a three and a half inch floppy anymore?

I can't defend or excoriate Clinton, because I just don't know what was in his heart. I do know that I got a lot of "This totally sucks" vibe from his people when they told us to shut it all down, though.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

45. Then, I can't understand why some refuse to give Obama the *SAME* benefit of the doubt.

[MADem]

46. I agree.

People want things to happen NOW, or better yet, YESTERDAY. Making progress against recalcitrant Republicans, though, is a lot like pushing a peanut down the sidewalk with your nose.

It's not easy to do, you don't get very far, and often you look like an ineffectual idiot, but if you keep at it, that damn peanut will move down the sidewalk.

It's only after the peanut gets to Point B from Point A that some will say "I saw the progress he was making all along!" The fact of the matter is, there are way too many people who will gripe that he's not getting anywhere, because the process is so damn cumbersome--and we know it is rarely swift.

[LeftyMom]

4. That's one way to frame it.

I'd say that his position is either cowardly or bigoted, myself.

[emilyg]

5. I'd say you're right.

[Occulus]

7. It's both.

It's one of the major reasons he's lost my vote. Those qualities, regarding these kinds of social issues, should never be present in a President.

[FreeState]

8. +1000

Can you imagine a sitting president not supporting a very basic human and civil right? It's shameful and beyond disgraceful to the office IMO.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

37. Yes, because Bill Clinton didn't support it. He ran on banning gay marriage and let liberals

reelected him, yet again, proving Melissa Harris Perry's point.

[dsc]

43. that is just plain whacko

He didn't run on banning gay marriage. He ran on the economy, peace, and having cut the budget deficit by more than 2/3. I lived in Mississippi at the time, which last I checked, was firmly in the South, and I don't recall a single, solitary ad touting his signing of the bill banning gay marriage. If he didn't run ads on it there, I highly doubt he did so anywhere else.

[treestar]

47. Yes I can, because the prior 43 did not

You pretending it is not controversial. Maybe it should not be, but it is.

[Bolo Boffin]

9. Yeah, what has Obama done for gay Americans after all?

Just piddling little old this:

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/gay-rights-president-obamas-37-accomplishments-for-lgbt-americans/politics/2011/06/01/21234

Preventing bullying and hate crimes against LGBT Americans

President Obama signs the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law -- the first federal civil rights legislation to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”

President Obama, Vice President Biden and other Administration officials record “It Gets Better” videos to address the issue of bullying and suicide among LGBT teens

The President and First Lady Michelle Obama host the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention

The Department of Education issues guidance to support educators in combating bullying in schools by clarifying when student bullying may violate federal education anti-discrimination laws

Supporting LGBT families

Following a directive from the President, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires all hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to allow visitation rights and medical decision making rightsto LGBT patients

HHS creates the National Resource Center for LGBT Elders

The Department of Labor clarifies that the Family Medical Leave Act ensures that LGBT federal employees can care for sick family members

The State Department clarifies that transgender applicants can obtain, under certain conditions, passports that accurately reflect their gender

The Justice Department clarifies that persons with HIV and persons with AIDS are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and that it would be illegal to exclude them from occupational training and state licensing

The Justice Department issues a memo stating that federal prosecutors should enforce criminal provisions in the Violence Against Women Act in cases involving gay and lesbian relationships

HHS’s Administration for Children and Families issues a memorandum to ensure that LGBT and questioning youth in foster care are protected and supported

The US Interagency Council on Homelessness releases “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness,” the nation’s first comprehensive strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness,including LGBT homeless youth

The Obama Administration works to ensure that the Census provides a fair and accurate count of all Americans, including LGBT couples

Ensuring equal access to housing for LGBT families

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announces the first ever national study of discrimination in housing against LGBT persons

HUD proposes new regulations to ensure that housing programs are open to all persons regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity

HUD requires grant applicants to comply with state and local anti-discrimination law

Supporting LGBT health

President Obama releases the first-ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy

President Obama urges Americans to get tested for HIV

President Obama signs the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act

HHS issues recommendations to improve the health and well-being of LGBT communities

Despite challenging budgetary times, the President’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget not only maintains, but increases domestic HIV/AIDS funding

Supporting job creation among LGBT-owned businesses

The Department of Commerce signs a Memorandum of Understanding with National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to support federal contracting and exporting

Setting precedents in hiring and benefits for LGBT Americans

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announces that gender identity is a prohibited basis of discrimination in federal employment

President Obama expands federal benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees

OPM allows same-sex domestic partners to apply for long-term care insurance

President Obama sends the first U.S. Executive branch official to testify in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) before Congress

President Obama continues to appoint LGBT Americans to positions at every level throughout his Administration

Repealing the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Law

President Obama signs the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which will allow gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans to serve openly and with integrity

Providing global leadership on LGBT issues

The U.S. lifts the discriminatory entry ban for individuals with HIV

President Obama and his administration play active roles in protecting LGBT populations in Uganda, Honduras, Malawi and other countries

The U.S. leads an effort at the United Nations resulting in 85 countries supporting a resolution to end violence and human rights violations related to sexual orientation and gender identity

The White House announces major three-year investment in combating global AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria

Honoring LGBT history

President Obama honors the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall riots

President Obama awards the Medal of Freedom to Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King

Supporting LGBT Progress

President Obama has called for the Congressional repeal of the discriminatory “Defense of Marriage Act” and has announced that in his view, Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional

President Obama also continues to support legislation that would directly impact the LGBT community, including an inclusive ENDA and the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act

President Obama believes that all students should be safe and healthy and learn in environments free from discrimination, bullying and harassment; that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation; and that Americans with partners from other countries should not be faced with a painful choice between staying with their partner or staying in their country

But, yes, because President Obama hasn't made marriage legal for same-sex couples, we should throw this guy under the bus.

Yeah, right.

[LeftyMom]

10. That's quite a list.

Half of it's piddly shit that doesn't matter, most of the rest he got dragged into kicking and screaming.

[AtomicKitten]

12. LOL.

[Bolo Boffin]

16. Show me Dubya's list. Or John McCain's. Or Mitt Romney's for that matter.

You think any of them would get "dragged kicking and screaming" into that kind of a list? Hell, no.

What President Obama has done for the LGBT community is real, and it's not over yet.

ETA: This item --

"President Obama urges Americans to get tested for HIV"

Do you consider that piddly or is that something he got dragged into kicking and screaming?

[Fearless]

18. HIV has nothing to do with LGBTQ rights.

It is a health issue. And, if there was as much broad party support for LGBTQ rights for the Republicans, president or otherwise, they sure as hell would've been dragged kicking and screaming too. Of course, we're the lucky ones with the candidate on the wrong side of history... check that, ALL of the candidates on the wrong side of history.

[Bolo Boffin]

19. First I've heard of this.

HIV is of course not exclusively a gay issue, but it certainly is of concern to the gay community. Blithely handwaving it away as a "health issue" so you can lump President Obama in with the Republicans on these issues is rather tacky, I'd say.

[Bluenorthwest]

23. When 'AIDS activists' intreupped a Presidential speech, all of DU called them 'gay activists'

instantly. Why? I'm actually asking you why. Here is a fact: AIDS is the leading killer of African American women aged 18-34. And yet that fact is lost in a stream of McClurkin rallies and talk of 'sanctity'. Why is it that while this health crisis is common to all and specific to many minority communities, only one of those communities takes the strong stand, and is thus identified as THE activists?
Of course, in the early days of the crisis, many did step forward righteously. That was all forgotten and denied in order to present McClurkin as the speaker for the 'faith outreach' and the hideous act of claiming those rallies were the 'start of a dialog' that in fact was 20+ years old. They turned the clock again to 1988. And who suffers for that? Look up the stats. Look and learn.
It is an indictment of the larger community that this health crisis is still presented as our property.

[Bolo Boffin]

27. "this health crisis is still presented as our property." Hogwash.

It's still an issue that affects the gay community. It concerns us just as it concerns all the population at risk, including minorities, and the work on HIV and AIDS is something most in the gay community are interested in hearing about. Shall I run down the street to the Resource Center here in Dallas and shame them for calling themselves the "primary lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and HIV/AIDS service organization in North Texas"? Doesn't that perpetuate this indictment of the larger community you're so upset about? No, of course not. HIV/AIDS is an issue important to the gay community just like it's important to other minorities and the population at large.

[Bluenorthwest]

48. Duh. My point is that it is not JUST ours, and yet when anyone speaks on AIDS

policy, they are assumed gay. They could easily come from the straight community. In the 80's when those centers and organizations were created, one that I worked with more than some others was Minority AIDS Project Los Angeles. A huge part of the message is that the disease kills all kinds of people. This community, that community, all one large mortal community.
And yet when any person speaks out on AIDS, to this day, the assumption is that they are gay. It is usually true. It is also a damning fact, that we are still so fully on point when we are not the only community dealing with it.
I'd say other communities with lots of dead ought to find the path to doing something to correct that.
Take any issue with that you care to. It is not the healthy that are important in this discussion. If it makes your head spin, and one person learns how to remain healthy, well, let heads spin. Heads spinning for decades now in regard to this issue. Nothing new at all.

[Fearless]

32. ""President Obama urges Americans to get tested for HIV"

Does not equal... President Obama is pro-gay rights. It equals "President Obama urges Americans to get tested for HIV". Funny how the word gay isn't part of that statement. I'm not saying that Obama is anit-gay necessarily, but that they evidence you provide is not related to the point made. Being for HIV testing is not a broad brush support of LGBTQ rights.

[LeftyMom]

20. It's words, not policy. What were his actions? He signed a law banning funding for needle exchanges,

so he clearly doesn't actually give a shit about HIV prevention.

PS You know straight people get HIV too, right?

[Bolo Boffin]

21. Now you're just being silly and insulting.

I'll be happy to discuss this when you stop.

[FreeState]

11. Nothing like telling a minority their leader has done enough

Posting this list as a rebutle to as why the president gets a pass on not supporing very basic civil and human rights is insulting to many people here, myself included.

[Bolo Boffin]

14. Being part of that minority as I am

I find it insulting to describe President Obama as not supporting our civil and human rights.

[Bluenorthwest]

25. Except that the FACT is that he is opposed to marriage equality, that is our

civil and human right as citizens of this nation. So you can 'find it insulting' all day. He does not support our equal rights, if a fact insults you, so it goes. He is opposed to our equality. He says so. He says God is also opposed to our equality.
Equal is equal. Anything short of that is not equal. Those who are opposed to equal rights for all are wrong, those who cite Scriptures to excuse that are also hypocrites of the first order.
Facts are facts. Equal is equal. Not equal is not equal. Opposed to equality is opposed to equality.

[Bolo Boffin]

28. Using marriage equality to bash the President when he's done so much in other places

is using an unequal scale.

[Bluenorthwest]

49. He is using it to claim his kind are superior to our kind, he is the one opposing us

He is the most powerful man in the world. He opposes others simply holding equal rights, due to his religion. The inequality is on his side, purely.
He is oppose to our equal rights. Other things do not mitigate that fact. And I am criticizing his dogmatic opinions toward myself and my family, not attacking him in any way. It is the opponents of equality that bash us, bash our standing in society using the law as their weapon.
Get real.

[MADem]

15. I don't think he said that he's "done enough." Nowhere did I see that language. Unfair

characterization of the post, IMO.

No one is giving anyone a "pass," either--but unless Obama doesn't win reelection, he'll have four years and no reelection pressures to do the right thing.

I, personally, don't think Romney or any of the rest of the GOP field is making a better offer in terms of equality, so I will choose to be pragmatic on this issue.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

38. Yes! And it's laughable that so many support Ron Paul. Do they really think that voting for Paul

will make gay marriage a reality? It's ridiculous!!

[MADem]

40. Ron Paul was only too pleased to take the endorsement of that nutty pastor who advocated death for

'unrepentant homosexuals.' I don't think Ron Paul is the go-to guy for much of anything, except maybe a return to sexual and other harassment in the workplace!

Citations:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/28/phillip-kayser-ron-paul-gays-iowa-caucus-2012_n_1173338.html

http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2012/01/ron-paul-says-victim-sex-harassment-bears-some-responsibility-for-resolution/fyCUfBYPwVLj4eLcE4YnPI/index.html

A couple of "Oh, no he did NOT say that" quotes:

...Texas Representative Ron Paul today stood by statements he made in his 1987 book arguing that someone who is a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace should bear some responsibility for resolving the problem and that society should not bear the burden of paying for the care of AIDS victims.

In his 1987 book “Freedom Under Siege: The US Constitution after 200-Plus Years,” Paul wrote about sexual harassment in the workplace, “Why don’t they quit once the so-called harassment starts? Obviously the morals of the harasser cannot be defended, but how can the harassee escape some responsibility for the problem?’’

In another passage, Paul wrote, “The individual suffering from AIDS certainly is a victim - frequently a victim of his own lifestyle - but this same individual victimizes innocent citizens by forcing them to pay for his care.”

...“If it’s just because somebody told a joke to somebody who was offended, they don’t have a right to go to the federal government and have a policeman come in and put penalties on those individuals,” Paul said of verbal harassment. “They have to say maybe this is not a very good environment. They have the right to work there or not work there.”

[musicblind]

17. I'm a gay democrat

and I feel Obama has done a lot for us. No where in that post did the poster claim Obama has "done enough" ...

I know you want to find reasons to criticize him, but given the political climate, he has done a lot. I truly believe he will do a lot more when re-elected.

[Bluenorthwest]

26. The issue is not that he has not 'made marriage legal' it is that he speaks his opposition

to such equality, adding all manner of religious arguments that do not really fall under a President's duties. He says he is against our gaining equal marriage rights.
That does not mean 'under the bus' for him, rather for us. It does mean that the facts are the facts. Equal is equal, and he's against equality for us. He says so, clearly and the reasons he states are the same ones stated from the GOP alter call.

[Bolo Boffin]

29. He's called for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage act. He calls it unconstitutional

and he refuses to defend it in court. Funny way of being against our gaining equal marriage rights.

[Occulus]

33. Barack Obama, a black man in 2011, has taken a "state's rights" approach toward gay marriage.

His bigotry on the issue is not only insulting, but breathtaking.

[izquierdista]

22. Obama is in tune with the gay community

As long as the tune is "Don't Stand So Close To Me".

[Bluenorthwest]

24. Starting with McClurkin, his surrogates always did that part. Sent the message he

was too fearful to make himself. To me, until the man corrects that hate rally crap, McClurkin is the surrogate of record for the President and his wife. They said he was their choice, he spoke, they defended him.
The arm's length rhetoric since that time simply emphasizes that fact again and again.
This week on DU, I watched those who declare that they are THE supporters attack a gay writer for not residing in the US, when he is forced to do that due to nasty immigration discrimination. Senator from Illinois we all know opposed changing that discriminatory law, 'national security reasons' he said. John Kerry has long fought to change that law. The President, when Senator, opposed him, us and the change to the law, stood with the GOP. As President, he has not done a thing to correct that. So when that crowd rips into a gay person for persecution their guy upheld, I lose all respect for them, him and all they claim to stand for. Cheap, nasty, unfair, out of line, rude, mendacious and all done for the Christian ethic! So sick of the hypocrisy. The stark hypocrisy of it all.

[Robb]

30. You may or may not find it gratifying to know

...that until you told me, nearly two years ago now (!), I had no idea Greenwald was gay. And it took another member (I can't remember who) explaining his husband
and Brazil and everything for me to "get" what you're saying here. I didn't connect the dots myself, I needed it spelled out for me.

Since then, obviously, I've contnued to criticize the man's work, but have not used his expat status as a foil. Yet I am roundly scolded regardless.

This leads me to two points: first, you should probably, as you talk about members attacking a gay writer, go ahead and be explicit with who you're talking about and why it's relevant.

Second, when Greenwald continues to be uncritically defended -- or his critics routinely told they are homophobes for criticizing him, even on issues not surrounding his expat status -- don't be terribly surprised if you're not taken as 100% sincere. You are consistent in this matter; all of DU is not. It is not your fault, but you will take some of the consequence of that.

Unfairness is no stranger, is part of what I'm saying, and look here's some more. I do not see a solution.

[xchrom]

31. One the groups at that 'event' Mary Mary compared LGBTIQ

People to murderers.

I can never forget - mcclurkin wasn't the only hate monger there.

And then there is the whole horrifying states rights issue for marriage equality.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

34. I believe that Obama must travel down this road, sadly, because this country is STLL a bigoted

nation. Forget the polls because you have to win elections. I sincerely believe that if Obama is reelected with a filibuster-proof Senate that contains *PROGRESSIVE* Democrats (not Joe LIEberman, Max Baucus, etc.) that he'll be able to get the progressive legislation pass through Congress that we want.

We have to do our part, though! We MUST work to get more *PROGRESSIVE* Democrats elected.

I read that Donna Edwards is facing a tough challenge here in Maryland from another DLC Democrat. That is unconscionable given how progressive her congressional district is. We MUST do our part!!!!

[Nye Bevan]

42. "Marriage is between a man and a woman" - Barack Obama.

I believe he has not yet reversed this stance.