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Dems to Get Peppy at Mary’s

If, like me, you’ve had just about enough of John McCain and his attack dog, you might want to head over to Mary’s bar in East Atlanta tonight.

Mary’s is hosting a Democratic Pep Rally to encourage voter registration and raise money for the Barack Obama campaign.  In true Mary’s style, the pep rally will feature a costume contest for the best First Lady or Head of State doppleganger.  The winner gets $100 donated to the Obama Campaign in their name. There will be boys on the bar dancing to the tunes of DJ Hawg-Tied.  MC 5 Hour Boner will officiate.

Life in this red state has me blue in the face.  It’s time to do something, and what better place than at Mary’s.

McCain’s Judgement Superpower — Vetting in 24 Hours or Less

With a due respect to America’s war hero, John McCain’s supporters must believe he’s also some kind of superhero.  His power:  vetting a vice president pick in just one day.  Conservative and gay blogger Andrew Sullivan (I realize that’s an oxymoron) reported today that:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was not subjected to a lengthy in-person background interview with the head of Sen. John McCain’s vice presidential vetting team until last Wednesday in Arizona, the day before McCain asked her to be his running mate, and she did not disclose the fact that her 17-year-old daughter was pregnant until that meeting, two knowledgeable McCain officials acknowledged Tuesday… McCain had spoken with all of the others on his shortlist over the course of a selection process that went on for several months, but he was least familiar personally with the person he finally chose.

Sullivan, a highly respected blogger for The Atlantic,  wondered (as many have) how this revelation creates confidence in McCain’s executive skills.  Answer:  It doesn’t.  In his post, Sullivan noted another new revelation that was blogged at politico.com: Just days before being tapped for the VP nomination (on August 17), Palin attended a Jews for Jesus sermon.  A speaker at the event said that anti-Israeli terrorism was “God’s Judgment” for the Jews not converting to Christianity.  Palin was in the congregation, according to her pastor, Larry Kroon.  I wonder if her head was nodding.

If this stunning revelation does not receive equal media (and Youtube) attention to that we saw during the assault on Barack Obama caused by his pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, we are in real trouble.  And if this country elects a man who makes knee-jerk decisions on important issues like who should be second in line for the most powerful position on the planet, then America has clearly lost all ability for rational thought.  Republicans, think.  If you truely believe your “country first” slogan, then choose your president based on facts and deliberation, not truthiness.

Republicans Continue Their Law of Opposites Approach with VP Choice

In the initial media coverage of today’s announcement of John McCain’s choice for the Republican VP nomination, the word of the day has been “maverick.”  I see it more as “cavalier.” In choosing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, John McCain has not made a maverick choice, but rather has remained loyal to the Republican party line.  While undermining the rule of law for the last eight years, the Republican Party has instead governed by the law of opposites. How can this say-one-thing-do-the-opposite strategic approach to elections and governing not be recognized as cynical, manipulative and yes, immoral?

Today we learned John McCain has embraced this law of opposities in his VP choice.  Clearly Governor Sarah Palin is a choice made in cynicism.  Rush Limbaugh said it on his radio show this morning:  “Now we’re the ones with a babe on our ticket.”  Can it be any clearer that Gov. Palin is a token?  As a woman, I find that more offensive than any of the perceived slights to Hillary Clinton (and the real slights and sexist coverage aimed at her by the media). After months of attacks on Barack Obama for his experience and age, McCain chooses someone with less experience who is three years younger.

I do understand McCain’s logic, a brain-twister though it is. Palin is perfect for the Republican agenda.  McCain clearly is counting on Palin’s gender neutralizing the historic aura around Barack Obama.  I have to give it to McCain, Palin is a rare find.  She is a woman who opposes a woman’s right to choose.  She is a woman whose position on gun control are dead-on with the NRA’s postions.  She’s been photographed aiming AK-47s, a weapon with a single purpose:  killing people quickly, in large numbers.  She is a woman who opposes gay rights.  She is the daughter of a preacher.  She favors more oil drilling in Alaska and took campaign contributions from Veco, the same company connected to Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. Palin is even an enemy to polar bears.  She opposed Pres. Bush’s decision to put polar bears on the threatened species list.  Her government filed suit against Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne earlier this month, hoping to reverse polar bear protections.

The religious right, who have been less than enthusiastic about McCain, must be thrilled.  The Republicans must be hoping that her gender will be an effective Trojan horse.  Once back through the gates to the White House, using the skirts of Palin to hide their attempt to borrow, or steal, the sense of history that Democrats gave us in Obama and Clinton. If given the chance to govern, Palin’s gender will matter less to Republicans than her hard-right positions on pretty much every issue of importance to women.  McCain has placed his bet on the disgruntled women who voted for Hillary Clinton.  Surely that is a bet he will lose once those women consider what’s at stake for them and their daughters if we end up facing four more years of conservative Republican rule. More »

Democratic National Convention Was Mission Accomplished

With all the media hype about a throw-down between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, you would have thought the Democratic National Convention was going to devolve into an episode of American Gladiators.  Yet despite the flames not only fanned, but in some cases actually lit by the media, the Democrats pulled off a masterpiece.  The cattiness of Hillary Clinton and her supporters the was supposed to provide the drama never materialized.  Clinton reminded any supporters who still resisted taking that chip off their shoulder were asked to consider if their support was about Hillary, or about a better future and an end to Republican mismanagement.  After awhile, the media’s endless drum beat for Hillary v. Obama began to ring very hollow.

One after another, speakers stood before delegates and made an arguably air-tight case for why Barack Obama is the better choice for the presidency.  Every weak, diversionary argument the Republicans have made were countered by an equal and opposite reality.  Efforts to paint Obama as elite were rebutted with stories of his modest life as a child of a single mother, going to college on scholarships and loans as many of us do.  Accusations of elitism began to crumble in the days leading up to the convention, when John McCain was unable to answer a question that most Americans would answer, “One,” or “None.”  McCain has no idea how many houses he owns.  So, who are we supposed to consider the elite candidate in this election?

The accusation that Obama does not have the experience to be president were met with reminders that the founder of the Republican Party, Abraham Lincoln, was elected President with roughly the same experience Obama has now–a stint in the Illinois state legislature and part of one term in Congress.  Bill Clinton reminded us that the same arguments were used against him when he first ran, accepting his party’s nomination when he was two years younger than Obama is today. Assumptions of a close election were answered by Al Gore, who stated the obvious that among young voters, most active in politics for the first time, Obama has a considerable advantage.

And in the Democrat’s grand finale, the acceptance speech in front of 80,000 in a football stadium, Obama’s speech was no less than perfection.  The “rock star” environment, often used as a slur by Republicans, was masterfully managed with the counterpoint of Obama’s humility, the added meat of the policy specifics that provided the substance many tried to paint as lacking, and point-by-point counterpoints for all the arguments the McCain camp has made against him.  Obama even bravely took on the hot button issues that have divided this country for more than a generation:  gun control, abortion, gay rights–he challenged virtually every issue that separates us with a call for compassion, community and common ground.  Tears welled up when he challenged homophobia head-on, in front of millions watching on TV and online, saying:

I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothrs and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in a hospital and live their lives free of discrimination…  This too is part of America’s promise - the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort.

Obama proved to be the master orator we had seen before, but not just for soaring rhetoric.  There was sizzle, and steak to energize the masses.  With an estimated 38 millioin watching on TV and 80,000 seeing history in person, Obama knocked it out of the park.  I woke up this morning with a hope hangover.  All  observers, no matter their politics, are giving Obama his due today.  It’s too bad Democrats didn’t take the opportunity for irony.  In addition to fireworks and streamers, there should have been a banner unfurled in Denver, reading: Mission Accomplished.

Obama Brings VP Announcement to Your Cell Phone

OMG!  Barack Obama’s campaign just sent a text message to supporters announcing that Obama’s choice for Vice President will be announced via cell phone.  Subscribers to the campaign’s text messaging list will be informed of the VP nomination first.  Anyone who wants to be among the first to know his decision can text “VP” to 62262.  The Obama campaign indicated that the VP announcement will be made sometime between now and the convention.  What an innovative way to make campaign supporters feel like insiders. TTYL.

Ga. for Obama Kicks Off Canvassing 100 Days Before Election

The Georgia office of Obama for America is appealing to Georgians to participate in a canvassing event designed to register voters. In an e-mail to supporters, State Director Antwaun Griffin noted that we are now only 100 days away from the November 4 election. Sunday, July 27 will begin the 100-day countdown.

Georgia for Obama will kick off 100-Days Canvass events in every one of Georgia’s 159 counties. You can find a 100-Days Canvass event in your area at ga.barackobama.com/ga100days. Georgia for Obama says no political experience is required. The Campaign for Change staff will provide volunteers with everything needed to participate.

In his call for volunteers, Griffin said, “We can turn this state blue for Barack and other Democrats across the state, but it’s going to take a massive effort to increase registration and voter turnout. Face-to-face contact with friends, neighbors and undecided voters is the most effective way to grow our movement.”

If you would like to get involved but are already booked for this weekend, you’ll have other opportunities to participate. Check out the Georgia for Obama Website, which is regularly updated with new ways to get involved, including a calendar of events across Georgia.

And America’s Next Top Candidate Is…

After several hours of CNN, I’m left with the feeling that American Idol, America’s Next Top Model and their clones have given some politicians and pundits an overly healthy appetite for the dramatic pause. And the winner of the Democratic nomination is…the person who will face John McCain is…going to be revealed right after this ad for Lipitor. What I need is a dose of Xanax.

Hillary Clinton gave a defiant speech tonight, in front of an emotional crowd of supporters, and ultimately refused to concede the nomination, even though Barack Obama earned enough elected delegates to secure the nomination, then topped it off with more super delegate endorsements. The talk about “what will Hillary do” appears that it will continue ad nauseum — or at least a couple more days. Either way, it’s adding to my nausea.

I have been a Clinton supporter and contributor since Bill’s first run for president. In fact, this Georgian sent a campaign contribution to the senator when she first ran for the Senate in New York. I spent quite a lot of time agonizing over whether to vote for Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama. I ultimately decided to support Obama, because he is an energizing leader who started where Howard Dean, my 2004 choice, left off. He was vocally opposed to the war in Iraq. He understood the power of using the Internet as a tool for mobilizing supporters and fundraising. And Obama does not embody evil encarnate from a Republican’s point of view. When a good friend of mine, who is a friend despite being a Republican, wanted to send me a link to some conspiracy video online detailing the numerous people whom the Clinton’s secretly killed, a la Swift Boat Veterans, my decision was easy. That moment last fall gave me a glimpse of an election season of more Republican vitriol, venom, distortions and outright lies. I knew I just couldn’t take it. Obama it is.

Meanwhile, the recent behavior of the Clintons has caused a reaction in me that I didn’t think possible. I actually don’t like them very much right now. Like fish or relatives that don’t know when to leave, my nose knows it’s time for them to step away.

Barack Obama made history tonight as this country’s first African-American candidate for a major political party. For LGBT Americans, this is perhaps a moment of great significance for us as well. Obama has been a reliable, public supporter of gay and lesbian rights in general. He did not touch the gay marriage tar baby. But he did speak publicly and often, even in front of less-than-gay-friendly groups, against homophobia and for a more tolerant and accepting society. For the leading, mainstream candidate, Obama did a better job than most of walking the wedge issue. Perhaps this fact signals that this country may truly be ready to change. Thanks to Barack Obama, I may actually have a little hope welling up past my general state of political dejection.

As for Senator Clinton’s “no decisions” speech tonight: this was a moment to truly think of the country and the Democratic Party. I actually feel a little betrayed that she didn’t seize it. And the whole situation almost makes me believe that the Clintons are ultimately more concerned with political power than with working for the ideas and policies that led me to support them for more than a decade.

So enough already. We know who the new American Idol is, and we know who will lead the Democratic charge to take back this country. With all due respect to the Clintons, and to all their supporters, many of whom are among my best friends, this is not about you. this is about all of us. Pick your high crime or misdemeanor of choice, from the Iraq war to Halliburton to climate change to your mortgage. We have to get this country back on track. IMHO, there’s never been a more important election in my lifetime. This train is leaving the station. Get on board, or get out of the way.

Supersized-Tuesday Primary Reaction

7:05 p.m. ABC News just called Georgia for Barack Obama. It’s amazing how winners can be assumed when the polls have been closed less than five minutes and no votes have yet been counted. But assuming projections are correct (and oddly, they typically are), I am proud to be a Georgian tonight. I’m proud that a Southern state could choose an African-American candidate. And I’m encouraged to see the first few votes to show that there are more Democratic voters than Republicans. This bodes well for the general election. Voter turnout is the issue at hand. If LGBT voters, anti-war voters and rational Americans who are unable to reconcile the morality espoused by Republicans with the hate, mismanagement and miscalculation of the Republican party with their values. Maybe there is hope for America. Hope that a change is possible. And there’s no better news for the queer community. It will be interesting to see if this immediate projections and very early returns hold up over the course of the evening.

8:15 p.m. Results are mixed across the country. It is so refreshing to have a real race where every vote truly makes a difference. Gone are the days where party leaders decide who is next in line for the presidential nomination. The mass of states voting today is an important opportunity to move beyond the presumptive politics of the past, to a day when voters truly decide who will lead our country, not pundits or party insiders.

10:05 p.m. CNN is projecting Senator Clinton as the winner of Massachusetts. While the delegates at stake are not as numerous as in some others, it is symbolically significant. Sen. Ted Kennedy’s endorsement was not enough to secure his state for Barack Obama. And in a state with a significant LGBT population, Clinton proved a more compelling candidate than Obama. Analysis of Massachusetts voters over the next few days will be interesting. Clinton is believed to have a generally stronger political machine, while Obama has the power of the grassroots. It will be telling to discover if it was the process of politics, the message or personality that brought the state to Clinton.

11:10 p.m. Will someone please tell Wolf Blitzer to stop saying “uh” between every word? He’s driving me nuts. I’m not going to be able to stay on CNN much longer if he doesn’t cut it out.

11:59 p.m. In ballots counted so far, there are only about 100,000 votes between Senators Clinton and Obama. In today’s races, Obama garnered the most delegates, but Clinton is still leading in the delegate count overall. For Democrats, this is a profound election cycle. There are two very strong, refreshingly different, historic candidates. Either candidate promises to be is such light years more progressive and queer-inclusive than any we have seen in our lifetime. Yet “evangelical” turnout has proven strong on the Republican side. Will anti-gay social conservative Republicans be motivated to vote in the general election? Will the strong turnout in Democratic primaries be maintained or grow in the general election. All remains to be seen. But for LGBT voters, it is encouraging that two candidates who are generally pro-gay are leading the party’s race for the presidential nomination. Although neither candidate has an “ideal” position on LGBT issues, the success of both suggest that America may at last be willing to abandon homophobia in favor for the greater good of our country.

LGBT Voters to Get Sirius About Their Presidential Choices

SIRIUS Satellite Radio is holding a “queer caucus” of sorts tomorrow on The Michelangelo Signorile Show. The show is a part of the Internet and satellite radio company’s OutQ LGBT radio channel 109. The SIRIUS event is well, seriously not an actual caucus, of course, but rather a chance for the LGBT community to discuss the candidates’ positions amongst ourselves. The Michelangelo Signorile Show “caucus” will air live from 3:00 until 5:00 EDT tomorrow (January 31).

Appearing on the program will be Hilary Rosen in support of Senator Hillary Clinton, and Stampp Corbin for Senator Barack Obama. Rosen is president of the lesbian social networking site OurChart.com, an active public speaker, and regularly appears on national TV as a political and business commentator. It does not appear that Rosen is officially affiliated with the Clinton campaign. Corbin is the National LGBT Liaison for the Obama campaign and co-chair of the National LGBT Leadership Team, Obama for America ‘08. A high-tech entrepreneur, Corbin also served on The Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign from 1996-2003 and has also served as co-chair of HRC’s Finance Committee Co-Chair.

Also scheduled to appear was Eric Stern, a political advisor to the John Edwards for President Campaign. Sirius has not announced whether or not Stern will still appear, now that Edwards has bowed out of the campaign. Sterns is an attorney, educator, social activist and veteran of multiple Democratic campaigns. In the 2004 election cycle, Stern served as the Director of LGBT Outreach at the Democratic National Committee where he developed a voter mobilization plan that helped to turnout more than 3.5 million LGBT votes for Democratic candidates nationally, according to the Sirius press release.

The guests will discuss the candidates’ platforms and views, and take questions from callers. Sirius has more than 8 million subscribers who listen to its commercia-free programming on satellite radios or over the Internet. If you are not one of them, you can still listen in and participate. Just sign up for a three-day free trial here.

After all the talk, how will we know where the LGBT audience stands? Sirius Spokesperson Hillary Schupf tells Life on Q that “listeners are encouraged to participate in an online poll, where they can vote in the caucus for their candidate of choice.” Voting will be open during the show and results will be announced at the end. With “super-duper” Tuesday less than a week away, and John Edwards abandoning his candidacy, it will be interesting to see how candidate positions, and LGBT support, have shifted since last summer’s Presidential Forum on Logo TV.