Obama’s North Carolina campaign throws gays ‘under the bus’

[Karmadillo]

ON EDIT: This, as noted below, is from Tucker Carlson's site. I didn't know that. I wouldn't have posted it if I had. As I noted in post #33, I can't imagine the Obama administration was unaware of this and given their modus operandi was happy at the "lesser of two evils" choice. Still, there's nothing beyond Carlson's site's spin to link to Obama and given Carlson, that's not sufficient. There's plenty of verified facts with which to criticize the Obama administration. There's no need to give Carlson clicks. My bad. Sorry, etc.

http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/14/obamas-north-carolina-campaign-throws-gays-under-the-bus/

Obama’s North Carolina campaign throws gays ‘under the bus’

North Carolina’s gay community has been “thrown under the bus” to help President Barack Obama win the critical state in November 2012, local gay activists told TheDC.

On Tuesday, the state Senate set a May date — not a November date — for a ballot to decide whether marriage should be defined in the state’s constitution as a union of one man and one woman, thereby barring gays from being allowed to marry.

The 30-to-16 compromise vote kept the ballot far removed from Obama’s November election, but also scheduled it for a Republican primary in May when many conservatives — but few liberals — are likely to vote, said Democratic state Rep. Marcus Brandon, the only gay state legislator.

“The Democrats would not vote for it to be in the November election, but they would vote for it in May, and that’s how the compromise was set:” to disadvantage gays, said Brandon. “They just threw them right under the bus,” he said, as Obama landed in the state for a two-stop campaign-style tour.

more...

[xchrom]

1. What are we gonna do? Who else are we gone vote for?

Blah...blah...blah.

[Courtesy Flush]

72. 2008 was the first time I didn't vote for lesser of 2 evils

Back to the same old same old.

[yurbud]

2. would it have won in November? Would it have drawn more Dems to the polls than paranoid

Conservatives?

[dsc]

65. the polling was surprisingly positive

Amazingly we were both over 50% on no and about 20 points ahead. But that electorate will have us dead in the water.

[demosincebirth]

3. Cold day in hell if that ever pass in N. C., Why is Obma at fault?

[LonePirate]

7. Yeah, the long string of gay marriage ban defeats at the ballot certainly bolsters your point.

Oh wait ...

[Tx4obama]

4. Jesus F'ing Christ! It was 'the state Senate' that set the May date

Stop blaming President Obama for EVERY THING that OTHER PEOPLE do!

[LonePirate]

10. He may not have chosen the date but he definitely didn't speak against it while he was in NC today

It definitely is his fault for not mentioning his disapproval during his speech today. Or is he not at fault for that, too?

[elleng]

14. Great idea, mention a controversial State issue.

:sarcasm:

[demosincebirth]

16. Does he have to get involved in every controversial issue in every city, county or

state he visits? Jeez!

[treestar]

22. Exactly, that is the most ridiculous demand ever!

What has he done about my municipal council's failure to deal with the issue at all!!!111 :rofl:

[demosincebirth]

29. ...and my city trying to pass a leash law.?? He should call our city council!

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[demosincebirth]

79. You can exagerate it if you want , but you got the point didn' you?

[LonePirate]

24. Yes, at least he does on the gay marriage issue for which he is very, very weak

His mamby pamby "evolving" bullshit view is shameful and true Democrats should not tolerate it.

[demosincebirth]

35. there are more important issues, at this time, than yours in this country. Look around you. I guess

you don't live in the inner-city. Do you?

[LonePirate]

40. Yeah, 1-2 minutes of his time to speak out against this ballot measure must be too much to ask

Since when did DU turn into FR-light? The hostility towards LGBT citizens here on DU is revolting.

[Jamastiene]

68. That's what we have been saying for a while here on DU.

The hostility here toward the GLBT community is virulent. It is getting worse by the day too. It is why so many GLBT and GLBT allies have left this site.

[QC]

80. +1

[Jamastiene]

70. There it is again.

Don't ever ask why GLBT members of DU feel so unwelcome here.

[FreeState]

78. More important issues than civil rights? Really? On what planet

Do you think that's an acceptable thing to tell an oppressed minority?

[Jamastiene]

81. Planet DU

We certainly hear people say that a LOT here.

[Claudia Jones]

28. yes, of course

That is the nature of politics. Besides, he has gotten involved and has taken a position. He said that it is up to the states to decide civil rights issues. Whether you agree with that position or not, there can be no doubt that it represents a radical departure from previous Democratic administrations on the issue of civil rights. Imagine if JFK had said about voting rights "I favor letting Mississippi decide on this issue."

[LonePirate]

30. Thanks for the support. Evidently plenty of DUers do not value civil rights for LGBT Americans

[scheming daemons]

31. You missed the point. The article (incorrectly) blames Obama for this... he doesn't run the NC

state legislature.


We can support the cause without blaming every single setback on Obama, despite the fact that had he nothing to do with this setback.

0% to do with it.

[LonePirate]

36. I blame him for not speaking against the issue, not the legislature's decision or vote

Yesterday's vote was plastered on the front page of NC newspapers today. It is a hot topic and an issue for which Obama is an embarrassment. He should have spoken out against the vote and encouraged people to vote No. He didn't do so. He is either a coward or he is against civil rights for LGBT citizens - neither of which would surprise me.

[Claudia Jones]

43. that is unresponsive

The connection between the actions of state legislatures and the administration is the statement from the White House that these matters should be decided by the states. That is the issue. You may disagree with those who think that this should not be left to the states, and who think that leaving it to the states sets back the fight for equality, and if you do you should be honest and openly say that. But what you are disingenuously doing is characterizing the views of others in a distorted and untruthful way.

[Historic NY]

44. Its your state representatives....Not POTUS who threw them under the bus...

maybe you should look closer at them. He probably does even know.

[Claudia Jones]

55. really

This logic is reminiscent of the CIA sending detainees to other countries where they knew they would be tortured, and then claiming innocence. The administration said this matter of (Constitutionally guaranteed) civil rights is properly decided at the state level. We are now seeing what happens when this issue is delegated to the state level.

[demosincebirth]

38. Voting right in the south in the sixties compared to gay marriage rights?

[Claudia Jones]

39. yes

Obviously.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

71. Yes. NC is home to the Greensboro sit-ins -- the framing would be IMPOSSIBLY easy.

And especially powerful if Obama, the offspring of interracial parents whose marriage would have been illegal in many states, would demonstrate some fucking courage and speak up.

Marriage equality is a civil rights issue... get it?

[butterfly77]

63. +1

its non stop day in and day out,no matter the issue. This is why most days on DU have been taken over throughout his Presidency with issues that are not that urgent to most of the general public but somehow always take up most of the conversation.

[elleng]

11. THANKS!

[demosincebirth]

13. We just can't help it.

[Claudia Jones]

21. from the White House

"The President has long believed that gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights and legal protections as straight couples. That's why he has called for repeal of the so-called 'Defense of Marriage Act' and determined that his Administration would no longer defend the constitutionality of DOMA in the courts. He has also said that the states should determine for themselves how best to uphold the rights of their own citizens."

"...the states should determine for themselves..."

See the problem with that? I am not asking you if you agree that this is a problem. But there is a legitimate case to be made that this in fact a problem. That is not "blaming President Obama for EVERY THING that OTHER PEOPLE do" as you claim here.

[SidDithers]

5. Obama tells the NC State Senate what to do?...

Wow. I didn't know that.

Sid

[Deep13]

8. Wondering that myself. nt

[dionysus]

15. of course he does. he's an omnipotent, all controlling force of evil. cause that's... the type of

guy.... he is. ;) he's tough...as nails :)

[joshcryer]

26. The ideal leader in some minds is a dictator, Obama should be a dictator.

The constitution does not allow him to be a dictator (for the most part, particularly as it concerns the passage of citizen laws) but some still believe he is a dictator.

[Drale]

6. Wow this reeks of GOP propaganda /nt

[SidDithers]

9. Well, The Daily Caller is Tucker Carlson's website...

For some posters, any source that's critical of Obama is a good source. Any port in a storm, I guess.

Sid

[provis99]

12. beep! beep! Here it comes!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_itjNqajMfsQ/SUNYCGRov3I/AAAAAAAABPQ/RT5atQGt-r4/s400/UNDER+THE+BUS+II+copy.jpg

[dionysus]

17. someone needs to learn photoshop better. amateur hour.

[scheming daemons]

25. Did you even read the article? The White House had absolutely nothing to do with this.

[Claudia Jones]

47. nothing to do with what?

The administration most certainly did say this issue of equal rights should be decided by the states.

[SidDithers]

49. Nothing to do with setting the calendar for the referendum...nt

Sid

[Claudia Jones]

52. that's true

But then again who should or should not be "setting the calendar for the referendum" is merely a peripheral issue in the battle going on over this. You know that. A state is making decisions that negatively impact on people's civil rights. The administration response was to say that these matters are properly decided at the state level. Do you agree with that stance, or not?

[SidDithers]

59. I agree that the State of NC has the right to determine...

what ballot measures to present, and when to present them.

Sid

[Claudia Jones]

62. fabulous

We all agree then that state legislatures have the right to determine what ballot measures to present, and when to present them.

[SidDithers]

64. Good, then we're done with this thread...nt

Sid

[scheming daemons]

18. Unrec.... how on earth is this even REMOTELY Obama's doing?

This is NC's state senate.


There is no sane way to pin this on Obama. None.

[dionysus]

20. just need to plant that seed, people will believe it.

[SidDithers]

23. But that won't stop Tucker Carlson and Karmadillo from trying...nt

Sid

[Bodhi BloodWave]

77. nor stop some sections of DU from doing the same sadly enough n/t

[treestar]

19. The Obama campaign is in charge of state ballots?

Who knew?

I wish the Obama campaign would do something about my county government!

[treestar]

27. And given the importance of the issue, why don't the friggin'

liberals get their asses out there and vote? Who cares if it's May? Why can't they get out and vote then? Why do they need Obama for that?

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[taterguy]

32. That measure is on the May ballot because of the second bridge to Bodie Island

Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know a goddamn thing about North Carolina politics.

[Karmadillo]

33. My apologies. I didn't know this was Carlson's site. There are other

links that discuss what's happening in NC:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=hts&oq=&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4TSHB_enUS229US229&q=Michaele+Salahi#rlz=1T4TSHB_enUS229US229&q=Michaele+Salahi&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbm=nws&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wn&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=974589412646578d&biw=1707&bih=853

I doubt the Obama administration was unaware of what was going on and given their modus operandi, I can't imagine them not seeing the chosen date as the best possible outcome. I don't know that, however, and relying on Carlson's site's spin is obviously insufficient, as anything associated with Carlson is, at best, questionable.

[LoZoccolo]

34. Then alert on it yourself and get it locked. n/t

[SidDithers]

37. Whatever. The toothpaste doesn't go back in the tube...nt

Sid

[Claudia Jones]

46. toothpaste back in the tube

From the White House:

"The President has long believed that gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights and legal protections as straight couples. That's why he has called for repeal of the so-called 'Defense of Marriage Act' and determined that his Administration would no longer defend the constitutionality of DOMA in the courts. He has also said that the states should determine for themselves how best to uphold the rights of their own citizens."

You either do, or you do not have a problem with that statement. Some of us do and we have a valid case to make that we can successfully argue and defend. Your post is simply an attempt at distraction and at discrediting the original poster.

[SidDithers]

48. You may want to go back up to the top of the thread and re-read the OP...

The topic of the thread is Tucker Carlson's website spinning a calendar decision by the NC State Legislature into a wedge to be driven between Obama and LGBT voters. That's it. It's not about DOMA, or States' Rights (unless you don't think states should get to decide when to hold state referenda).

Sid

[Claudia Jones]

50. fine

You may want to stop pretending you don't know what the disagreement on this issue is about.

[SidDithers]

54. So start a new thread about the disagreement...

Conflating the issues is dishonest.

Sid

[Claudia Jones]

61. you start a new thread

You can talk all about how state legislatures have every right to schedule state elections, and how the president's stance that civil rights issues are best left to the states to decide has nothing to do whatsoever with this ongoing problem.

How on earth could you claim that I am "conflating issues?" Did the president not say what I claimed he said? Is this not a matter of civil rights? Are civil rights not guaranteed by the federal Constitution? Is the re-scheduling of the election not an attempt to affect the outcome? Which of the issues I have raised to you feel does not properly belong in this discussion? If anything, your point that states have the right to schedule their own elections, and the point that people are making that those opposed to the administration's stance on this are merely looking for any way to criticize the president are attempts at "conflating issues" and distracting and diverting people from the topic.

[JanMichael]

53. Holy shit! He basically says that states can fuck people over, right?

"He has also said that the states should determine for themselves how best to uphold the rights of their own citizens."

Well that just dandy if the "states" determine that slave labor is "ok" (upholding white and business rights) or gays should wear "flair" to identify them in public and make sure that their family doesn't get the same treatment as the "Norms" (upholding asshole fundy rights)...

That's a sucky thing to say.

[Claudia Jones]

57. bingo

You see why some of us have a problem with this. Others here may think that civil rights issues should be decided at the states level. But they are not forthrightly saying that. Instead they are questioning the integrity and sincerity of those of us who disagree with the stance by the administration on this issue.

[JanMichael]

60. Thank you. I totally get it and we will be getting in major trouble this next spring.

My lovely spouse Stephanie and I will march and do whatever necessary to stand with the non-norm (GLTB etcetera) folks that are being targeted by an insane state legislature.

We are not above in your face confrontation...her more than me.

[JanMichael]

41. I hate BoA but one of their major Execs basically said they would destroy Charlotte...

...and move their HQ to NYC if NC did something so disgusting.

This may truly impact over 2-3k households there with the additional thousands of subsidiarity companies based in Charlotte.

That MAY force dipshit repukes to re-examine their wallets/values and vote to not fuck over their neighbors and relatives and friends. And themselves...

[Bobbie Jo]

51. Tucker Fucking Carlson?

Good grief....any smear will do.

Pathetic.

[JanMichael]

56. I can't stand the bow tie but NC is doing what is suggested.

So I guess that it is bow tie that this isn't true?

[Bobbie Jo]

66. I repeat...

Pathetic.

btw...WTF does "So I guess that it is bow tie that this isn't true?" even mean?

[JanMichael]

67. I'm calling TC "bow tie"; sorry if I wasn't clear.

He's still not off base.

[Bobbie Jo]

69. You're agreeing with Tucker F. Carlson

Got it.

Did Hannity weigh in too?

WTF DU?

[JanMichael]

74. See post #71 (and others). I don't have time for this. Wtf DU indeed. nt.

[Claudia Jones]

83. and I repeat....

Do you agree or disagree with the White House position that this be left for the states to decide?

[Claudia Jones]

82. no, the White House

Do you agree or disagree with the position of the White House that this civil rights decision is best left to the states?

[unkachuck]

58. before the 2012 election is over....

....it's gonna get crowded under the Obama campaign bus....I only hope Obama doesn't fine himself 'under the bus'....

[scheming daemons]

75. Obama's not even ON this particular bus.... the thread is bullshit

[Claudia Jones]

84. the "bus"

Do you agree or disagree with the White House position that this issue is best left of the states to resolve?

Obama is on that bus. He is driving it.

[killbotfactory]

73. Oh it's just good ol' Tucker Carlson trying to hold Obama's "feet to the fire"

Funny how some on the left and right embrace everything that tries to drive a wedge between Obama and the democratic base.