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TheDormouse

(1,168 posts)
Mon Mar 21, 2016, 06:58 PM Mar 2016

Human Rights Campaign endorses Mark Kirk (R) over Tammy Duckworth (D) for Senate

In January, even before the Iowa Caucus, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT rights organization, endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. At the time, the Sanders campaign said, "It’s understandable and consistent with the establishment organizations voting for the establishment candidate, but it’s an endorsement that cannot possibly be based on the facts and the record."

Hillary supporters said Sanders just had sour grapes, while Bernie supporters pointed out that when the membership of organizations are allowed to vote on endorsements, Bernie does well, but when the leadership of organizations make the decisions unilaterally, they choose Hillary.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511046133

So now, how to explain the Human Rights Campaign's decision to endorse Republican incumbent Sen. Mark Kirk over Democratic challenger Rep. Tammy Duckworth in the Illinois Senate campaign?

As David Nir has noted in Daily Kos:

Kirk's record on gay rights is far weaker than that of his Democratic opponent, Rep. Tammy Duckworth—according to no less an authority than HRC itself. In 2013-14, Kirk earned just a 78 percent score on HRC's report card, and in 2009-10, he managed an atrocious 39 percent. (Kirk has no rating for 2011-12, presumably because he missed many votes while recovering from a stroke.) By contrast, Duckworth, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, notched a perfect 100 percent in 2013-14. In what universe does it make sense for an advocacy group to support the candidate who is unambiguously worse on their key issues?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/3/21/1504481/-Shameful-Gay-rights-group-endorses-Republican-Mark-Kirk-over-Democrat-Tammy-Duckworth
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Human Rights Campaign endorses Mark Kirk (R) over Tammy Duckworth (D) for Senate (Original Post) TheDormouse Mar 2016 OP
Kirk may have signaled he will support Garland if he gets this endorsement. Jackie Wilson Said Mar 2016 #1
HRC's Statement.... Agnosticsherbet Mar 2016 #2
supporting a GOP candidate for the Senate helps them keep the majority TheDormouse Mar 2016 #3
I guess I won't be renewing my HRC membership this year. sinkingfeeling Mar 2016 #4
what don't gay Elite see? Protalker Sep 2016 #5

Jackie Wilson Said

(4,176 posts)
1. Kirk may have signaled he will support Garland if he gets this endorsement.
Mon Mar 21, 2016, 07:01 PM
Mar 2016

That is the only thing that makes sense.

It stinks, for sure.

But if this is not it then what HRC is doing is very wrong, it is still very wrong but at least this would explain it.

Agnosticsherbet

(11,619 posts)
2. HRC's Statement....
Mon Mar 21, 2016, 07:14 PM
Mar 2016
Human Rights Campaign Endorses Senator Mark Kirk for Re-Election
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced that the Public Policy Committee of HRC’s Board of Directors, comprised of community leaders from across the nation, has voted today to endorse Senator Mark Kirk for re-election. The endorsement was issued along with a first round of endorsements for pro-equality incumbents in the House and Senate.

“Whether it was becoming the first Republican Senator to co-sponsor the Equality Act, co-sponsoring a bill to help schools combat anti-LGBT bullying or supporting marriage equality, Senator Kirk has demonstrated time and again that he believes in full federal equality,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Senator Kirk’s leadership on the Equality Act sends a strong message that fairness and equality are bipartisan values. Senator Kirk has fought for us, and we are proud to support him in his re-election campaign.”

In addition to supporting the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” voting for numerous HIV/AIDS funding measures, voting twice against the Federal Marriage Amendment that would have outlawed same-sex marriage and serving as the lead Republican co-sponsor of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Senator Kirk’s remarkable record on equality includes:

The article contains a comprehensive list of their reasons for endorsing him.
He is one of two Republicans they are endorsing. The other is Bob Dold (R-IL).

TheDormouse

(1,168 posts)
3. supporting a GOP candidate for the Senate helps them keep the majority
Mon Mar 21, 2016, 07:20 PM
Mar 2016

which actually severely undermines the LGBT civil rights movement, as Nir also pointed out in the Daily Kos article.

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