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The leader of the DNC, Howard Dean, once spoke of bringing hicks with gunracks on their pick-up trucks into the Democratic Party. Or was it Dixie flags and okra? Well, you get the point. He rightfully thought winning over white guys from the rural south would help the Democrats win back the majority.
He seemed to make progress on this - but did not go about it the right way - by falsely claiming on Pat Robertson's 700 Club that "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman." In fact, the platform says the following:
"We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families. In our country, marriage has been defined at the state level for 200 years, and we believe it should continue to be defined there. We repudiate President Bush's divisive effort to politicize the Constitution by pursuing a 'Federal Marriage Amendment.' Our goal is to bring Americans together, not drive them apart."
This misrepresentation caused a furious reaction by gay rights groups. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force even returned a $5,000 check from Dean in protest.
"Governor Dean's record on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues since becoming DNC chair has been sorely and sadly lacking," said NGLTF's Executive Director Matt Foreman. "The Democratic Party chair should stand by and fight for the party's own platform and values. In light of Governor Dean's pandering and insulting interview today with the Christian Broadcasting Network, we have decided to return the DNC's recent $5,000 contribution to us."
The Human Rights Campaign offered a similar strongly-worded denunciation.
"Governor Dean's comments weren't a mere slip of the tongue but a glaring reminder of the governor's lack of leadership on this issue," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
I think that these gay rights groups should be applauded for demanding that the Democrats adhere to principles of basic fairness and inclusion. It is great that Dean wants to bring in religious and blue collar voters. However, don't expect our time and money if the strategy to win over these folks is for the party to distance itself from GLBT rights.
This is a good time to have this conversation - in an election year, but not too close to the election. Let us hope that the DNC chooses to strengthen its relationship with one of its most loyal constituencies.
8 Comments:
Kudo's to the NGLTF!!
It is high time that our National GLBT groups refuse to accept *lip service* in lieu of full support.
Once again, by trying to please everyone, the Dems will come across as waffling and wishy-washy; a sure recipe for another loss. Will those dumb asses ever learn that you cant be all things to all people? I'd rather do the right thing and lose, than sell-out to the fascist pigs (who wont vote for them anyway!) If the Dems lose again in NOv it's their own damned fault--bush and republican corruption and lawlessness are a golden opportunity for the Dems--let's see if they fuck it up A G A I N !!
posted by Anonymous, at
5/11/2006 2:20 PM
Is Dean any smarter than Bush? I'm beginning to wonder.
Kudos to NGLTF and HRC (to Stonewall: stop wimping).
It's a hell of a lot easier to tell a redneck okra eater:
"hey, my priciples tell me to treat gay people equally. If yours don't, lets agree to disagree on that and focus on getting the country back on track"
than it is to say:
"we oppose, no we support, no we oppose, no we've no clue what we're doing".
Yes I'm going to rant about our beloved HRC. (as Timothy issued Kudo's to them as well)
My Question is where the hell is all the money that we've been sending to Washington to HRC Central going?
I sat wringing my hands after reading Crain's column (Windows Media) about our dry powder and boom! Like PE what a let down! Crain nailed it on this - when then? on what? if not SCOTUS ... which I need not remind anyone here will impact our nation for the next 25 years, if not longer of course.
Can you tell I'm still smarting from HRC's lack of brass ones? What the hell is HRC doing?
I know I've heard it all before ... this is a new time and we have to learn new approaches and we will win eventually time is on our side on this one. And Yes, maybe I'm showing my age -- but I remember the Reagan years quite vividly and while not always agreeing with their methods at least groups like ACT UP were out there raising cain about our Rights - and meaning it!
We sit back now and watch as State by State passes referendum after referendum -- and the only voice being heard above the din -- is that of the whacked out fundies who are crying about some fictional *Gay Agenda* and the fall of mankind, as we know it BS.
Leadership. I'm talking about *real* honest to GAwd Leadership is missing across the board in our society. So while I've been tremendously critical of HRC, and do honestly feel its Mission is not on track -- before I'm flamed, I do recognize that HRC does do good, when it happens to occur.
I think the DNC should ask Dean to resign his post! We would Demnad it if it were a Republican! I swear my vote and money will Not go to anybody in the Demo party who will NOT support us!!
Hi Paul, you asked what is the HRC doing, and where is all our money going? Well here ya go check em out. According to "CHARITY NAVIGATOR" they have a Horrible history. If I remember correctly they are rated ONLY 1 star! They are pathetic. Don't take my word for it read it yourself.
I wrote to JOE and told him to take a cut in pay. I'm tired of funding his lifestyle. Take heart though there are a couple of alternatives!!
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