Can we get Obama to go to California to speak against Prop. 8?

[Ken Burch]

At least if we got him there on Election Day, it would harm nothing and might swing enough votes against Prop. Hate to defeat it.

Nothing to lose by having the Big O do the right thing on this.

[Thrill]

1. Obama being in a swing state is more important

[GarbagemanLB]

2. Low on the list of priorities at this point.

that's the tough truth.

[Divine Discontent]

20. not that low... maybe to you, but it's important to many.

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html

[GarbagemanLB]

25. Relative to a national Presidential campaign, it is small. I understand how important it is to

those in California.

[Divine Discontent]

32. correct, and why he shouldn't leave the battleground states. eom

[HERVEPA]

3. Nope. Obama (publicly at least) against gay marriage

Would be jumped on for changing position and could hurt in "swing" states.

I know it's a tired refrain, and I hope for the GLBT community's sake (and for all of our sakes) that this is not how he really feels and he will work for marriage equality as president.

[LostinVA]

9. Beat me to it

[Divine Discontent]

22. thankfully, he's had his campaign release this, however

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html

[abumbyanyothername]

4. It's not going to happen.

We will have to do our own work on Prop. H8.

[Divine Discontent]

19. good news!

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html

[A-Schwarzenegger]

5. Obama rejects proposed California gay marriage ban

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html

By Aurelio Rojas
Tuesday, Jul. 01, 2008 | Page 3A

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who previously said the issue of gay marriage should be left up to each state, has announced his opposition to a California ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriages.

In a letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club read Sunday at the group's annual Pride Breakfast in San Francisco, the Illinois senator said he supports extending "fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law."

"And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states," Obama wrote.

...more...

[AtomicKitten]

6. Obama opposes Prop 8.

Obama calls Prop 8 "divisive and discriminatory."
http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6307

[Johonny]

27. his official campaign head quarters

just sent me a prop thing in the mail that says to vote no. Should Obama publicly speak out against it. It's a tough call. It's a national election and I'd say he needs to stay focused on the national issues and not focus on regional issues. I think it's enough his campaign head quarters in California have been actively calling voters and sending out fliers to oppose it.

[eissa]

7. It would be a bad move

They don't want to chage the topic to the cultural wars in the last few days. They need to remain focused on the swing states.

[Divine Discontent]

23. when something is right - you stand up and lead.

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html

[Uzybone]

8. Would be a stupid move

He has to concentrate on winning swing states. Going to California for any reason would be dumb.

[Divine Discontent]

24. going to cali would be dumb...

but his released comments today are what a leader does.

Obama rejects prop H8
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html

[elkston]

10. No. Gay Marraige is too controversial right now. (n/t)

[Divine Discontent]

18. good thing Obama, on the verge of a crushing Democratic victory over the politics of hate & division

sees things differently than you.


http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. No. Fucking. Way. (nt)

[Divine Discontent]

16. good thing you don't speak for Obama, not only for the tone of your brief comment

but for being wrong.

Obama rejects proposed California gay marriage ban

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html

By Aurelio Rojas
Tuesday, Jul. 01, 2008 | Page 3A

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who previously said the issue of gay marriage should be left up to each state, has announced his opposition to a California ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriages.

In a letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club read Sunday at the group's annual Pride Breakfast in San Francisco, the Illinois senator said he supports extending "fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law."

"And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states," Obama wrote.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

21. Opposing and campaigning are two entirely different things.

I'm just sick to death of people floating the notion that Obama's got the election so in-the-bag that he can go around campaigning in places and for things that he has no real business doing in a competitive election. Whether it's Prop 8 or campaigning in Texas and Mississippi (which I've seen floated here), my response will always be NO FUCKING WAY. Period.

[Divine Discontent]

28. we'll disagree, soundly. glad Obama stood up against the proposition that would take away rights

and encourage that it's ok to hate, in our nation's most liberal state. leaders have a funny way of doing the right thing.

here's to an Obama landslide so we don't have to worry about close election fiddling, so rights for all people are fought for without concern. I know it is not certain, but we can hope for a landslide so there's no doubt.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

36. I'm very glad he did it too.

It's about damn time a prominent national figure such as Obama that doesn't run like mad from this issue. Still, I think he needs to focus on his own race first. If this were 2010 or 2014 (off-cycle years), I'd definitely agree with you, but the Presidency is far and away more important right now.

[Divine Discontent]

39. yep, he cannot talk further than he has about it, because it's a regional (although huge) issue

and he should just say if asked, my view are out there on this, it's a civil rights issue and I think it's wrong to vote against rights already out there... without mentioning what it's about. we should be fine, and hopefully his words on this will help guarantee it fails, since it's very close and every Mormon car I drive by at their building has their "restore marriage" sticker (as if their marriage was taken), and they are pumping millions into it passing.

[terrya]

41. Try not to sound too happy about it.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

44. Why would I be happy?

I should want our nominee to think his race to be so safe that he can campaign for things no directly enhancing his odds at winning the Presidency? Really?

[IndianaJones]

12. no, we can use this carrot to keep gays voting Democratic and donating money for decades. nt

[knixphan]

13. ALL my peeps here voted against.

I think it will fail.

[KansasVoter]

14. HELL NO! Obama will fix that issue after he is elected! Don't risk it now!

[Ken Burch]

15. Actually, there's nothing he COULD do after the election to fix it.

And it would be too late to do harm if he went on Election Eve or early Election Day.

Besides, there aren't really that many swing states left.

Just asking.

[KansasVoter]

30. He can address it at a national level with a house and senate majority!

[Divine Discontent]

17. oh no, concern trolls in KS are worried! civil rights fights in the 60's didn't get pushed back

because they didn't want to 'risk it now'.

Just so you know, Obama is against prop 8.

Obama rejects proposed California gay marriage ban

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html

By Aurelio Rojas
Tuesday, Jul. 01, 2008 | Page 3A

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who previously said the issue of gay marriage should be left up to each state, has announced his opposition to a California ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriages.

In a letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club read Sunday at the group's annual Pride Breakfast in San Francisco, the Illinois senator said he supports extending "fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law."

"And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states," Obama wrote.

[KansasVoter]

29. Don't be stupid! Pretend we are winning with 5 days left! Wait, we are!!!

Why motivate any GOP voters?

Why give McLame anything to talk about?

Why take Obama off the OH, FL, VA Etc trail?

Please THINK!!

[Divine Discontent]

31. where did I say he needs to come 'off the trail'?

his campaign made a statement. why are you reading more into what I said? I agree with you, he needs on the trail in OH, FL, MO, NC and VA.

[KansasVoter]

34. Sorry, I am just not wanting his to do anything that could hurt us when it is going well!

[Divine Discontent]

35. that's everyone's fear - I understand and sympathize. however, he shows he never does things for

political purposes only by saying he's against prop. H8, which is refreshing - I know it will cost some votes - but this country needs to stand up and be heard and retaliate against these vitriol asshats that have confiscated our democracy this past 8 years. I'm sure the GOP will run ads now, but it will not change what is already going on - a relative close race with Obama up 4 points, but up enough in battleground states that we could get an electoral landslide - but it could also be very close because of the small difference in popular voting - let's keep praying/hoping/fingers crossed!

[terrya]

37. It's a state amendment. Once it passes, that's it.

The only way it could be "fixed" is if the people of California vote to repeal it.

[ecstatic]

26. Maybe the Clintons could? Since Obama might be campaigning

:shrug:

[Ken Burch]

38. Bill wouldn't. Remember, he's the one who advised Kerry to "ditch the gays" in '04.

And we all know how well THAT worked.

I hope this is the LAST election where we ever tell our core supporters to "shut up and wait 'til later".

Which is basically the same thing as saying "know your place".

[TheDonkey]

33. No.

Defeating pop 8 is one of my most serious concerns in 2008 and I've donated money to the cause. BUT, my MOST serious concern is getting Obama in the WH. California can have as many props it wants but with a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and a supreme court filled with rethugs then whatever happens here in CA will be thrown into the trash anyway and the country will be in peril.

[WI_DEM]

40. Too risky for him to come out for it and give the republicans ammunition to use

[RollWithIt]

42. Nope.....

Srry, busy.

[Hepburn]

43. I am soooooooo concerned that the POS Pro 8 could pass.

I cannot believe how much it upsets me to think about this...and I am not gay. If I am this upset and insulted, I cannot imagine how awful my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters feel to be discriminated against like this and treated like 2nd class citizens. I am just totally disgusted that this is happening. It simply is sick and immoral. I am so embarrassed that my usually progressive state would sink to the bottom of the political barrel!

:grr:

[BoneDaddy]

45. Let's win this one first

Please.

[Raine]

46. No, he is needed other places more

like in swing-states.