GLB Voters Chose Clinton Over Obama

Among many interesting developments last night, mainstream news organizations acknowledged that gay, lesbian, and bisexual voters exist and asked them to identify as such in the exits polls. A solid majority of those polled in California and New York preferred that Sen. Hillary Clinton be their next president.

NBC exit polling found that among the 4% of California voters who identified as GLB, 63% voted for Clinton, 29% for Obama, and 1% for Edwards. In New York, 7% of voters self-identified as GLB and 59% voted for Clinton, 36% for Obama, and 3% for Edwards.

New York and California were the only states in which this question was asked. The results show that the GLB electorate didn’t move much from where they were last fall in Hunter College’s national polling of the community, when likely GLB voters preferred Clinton by 63%, Obama’s by 22% and Edwards at 7%.

Comments

[Matt]

Sen. Clinton has the best record on LGBT issues and has a long standing history of caring about those issues.

Clinton 08!!!

She wants to be OUR president.

[Nicholas R. Roybal]

Sen. Barack Obama is an ally to the LGBTQQIA communities nationally and has a broad base of support.

He likewise has a history of caring for the LGBTQQIA communities in the United States.

Barack Obama for President of the United States.

Yes WE Can!

[Matt]

Obama's record leaves a bit to be desired and has been less comitted to our cause than Sen. Clinton has.

Examples:
Obama refused to have his picture taken with Gavin Newsom four years ago, when Newsom was under fire for allowing same-sex couples to get married in the city.
Newsom is campaigning for Sen. Clinton.

Then there's the whole situation with McGurkin and Kirbyjon Caldwell, but I have mixed feelings on that one.

I just think that Sen. Clinton has been more commited to our issues that Obama has and I feel that she truely cares about us and will fight for me.

But we have to be honest.
From a queer point of veiw neither of them is a perfect choice.
But which one is the better one.

For me that's Sen. Clinton.

Clinton 08!!!

[Bruce]

To my knowledge, Obama has never apologized for having the so-called "ex gay minister" Donnie McClurkin on stage, which demonstrates complete ignorance on his part. To think that someone could "pray themselves straight" is as stupid and offensive as some telling Obama that he could "pray himself white" if he was unhappy as a black man.

Obama is just sucking up to the evangicals in the African American community at the expense of GLBT people everywhere. SHAME ON YOU.

[Brian]

Really? Clinton is committed to our issues? You mean, just like her husband was committed to our issues with the disastrous "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy? Give me a break!

Barack Obama is a visionary and a fine leader. And, why should he apologize for McClurkin? Are we really supporting the notion that people can say what they want as long as they agree with our ideals, and that they should be silenced if they don't agree with our ideals? Be very careful here... we should support freedom of speech and expression.

Barack allowed McClurkin to appear to set an example of his platform of brining people together, even if they disagree.

And by the way, the Obama Campaign did make a statement: "MCCLURKIN DOES NOT WANT TO CHANGE GAYS AND LESBIANS WHO ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR LIVES AND HAS CRITICIZED CHURCH LEADERS WHO DEMONIZE HOMOSEXUALS," which was followed by "OBAMA DOES NOT AGREE WITH MCCLURKIN'S VIEWS ON GAYS."

Furthermore, aren't we more than just gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender individuals? I don't know about you, but being gay is only one aspect of my identity. I fully embrace being gay and celebrate this fact; however, I am also much, much more.

I am not a "one issue" voter. And I support Barack Obama for President!

[Larry]

I realize on the issues that I care about,Clinton and Obama are fairly similar. However, Bill Clinton did some things I do not want to see repeated, like NAFTA, welfare reform, Don't Ask Don't Tell and signing the Defense of Marriage Act. Although Hillary does not endorse some of these things today, she has not come out and say anything Bill did was wrong.

As a gay man I can identify with Obama since he has the experience of being an outsider, as a black man in America, a mixed-race man among blacks, an American growing up in Indonesia etc. He knows his parents could not be legally married in many states. I wish he (and Clinton) were stronger on the gay marriage issue, but I really feel he would support it if it was feasable at this time.

Now if I was a white woman of privledge who had to deal with the inferior status accorded to women, maybe I'd identify with Clinton more.

[Mke desi]

With Hillary, GLB folk get a "known" commodity - good or bad (and the verdict/legacy of the "don't ask, don't tell" will resonate for quite some time). With Obama, GLB folk get a vague promise of "change." Wish Obama would define "change" for us/me.

[BobNYC]

Hillary is not Bill - Hillary didn't introduce "Don't Ask Don't Tell" - Hillary is far more humane. Hillary has acted in ways that benefit people. Obama is all talk, and I am especially sensitive to phoneys, and Barack gives good talk, but he is inexperienced and has an ego way beyond his abilities. When someone tries too hard to convince you, be suspicious. I have been duped too often by people who speak a good game and act otherwise (like Bill!) but Hillary is not Bill - stop pre-judging her based on her sicko hubby.

[Chris]

When Obama used Donnie McClurkin (who said he is in a "war" against homosexuals) in his campaign, he did not apologize and did not remove McClurkin, which made me doubt his sincerity towards GLBT people.

Add to this the recent news that Obama did not even want to be photographed with a straight person (SF Mayor Newsom) because he supports same sex marriage, and the distinction between the two candidates is more clear.

It is obvious who is more likely to champion causes that help the GLBT community and who will hide from them. Obama doesn't even want to be photographed with GLBT supporters... while Clinton marches in pride parades.

[jeem]

NBC's pollsters only asked in New York and California? How short-sighted. It would have been a much more useful poll if they had taken a much more representative sample. As it stands, we now don't know how GLBT voters feel in cities like Chicago or Atlanta or Salt Lake City or in rural parts of Oklahoma or Alabama or Minnesota.

[Bahama Momma]

And if you did your homework you would learn that Hillary is proposing to reverse Don't Ask Don't Tell.

All you Obamaniacs buying the hype will be surely disappointed if he is our next president.

That said, if he is the democratic nominee, I'll vote for him but I don't believe what he says he'll accomplish. I refuse to put blind faith (at least in the primaries) who has no effective track record, contradicts himself and out and out lies in debates (like his relationship w/ Tony Rezko). He's also smug.

[Bruce]

Hillary Clinton is OUR BEST CHOICE! My BIG issue is constitutional protection for the GLBT community! I think this MUST be achieved BEFORE any talk of support for gay marriage, etc., can ever take place! WE MUST HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS PROTECTED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION! I live in the rural south and I face the constant life-threatening fears I've faced all my life! Unfortunately, there are MANY of us living in many parts of this nation where holding hands will STILL GET US KILLED! I'm also an HIV POSITIVE gay man with numerous health issues and I feel HEALTH CARE is TOPS in importance for EVERYONE. Hillary Clinton wants to ensure that for us ALL!!! That said, Hillary is the ONLY CANDIDATE I can endorse, support or encourage EVERYONE to vote for! It's NOW or NEVER!

[Wendy]

I am a member of the United Church of Christ (the same denomination that Obama belongs to). I am a proud gay woman and my wife and I got married at our church two years ago; been together over 14 years. Still we back HILLARY CLINTON all the way!!! She has the track record showing that she's on the right road to LGBT equality. I don't agree w/ DADT, but that was 15 years ago and it was a stepping stone - granted, it should've been gone long ago, but look at who's been in our White House for over half of that time!! Obama hasn't truly said or shown anything to convince me that he is truly on the side of the LGBT community. Like many folks, I will definitley vote for him if he's the one on the ticket, but my wife and I plan to support Hillary all the way to the WHITE HOUSE!!!

[d b moore]

is obama gay friendly?

i keep hearing that he is not.

i think we need to know right away.

[d b moore]

BILL & HILLARY
BILLARY '08
3 TIMES A LADY!!!

[AB]

Clinton only wants to repeal part of DOMA. Obama wants to get rid of it completely.

[Taylor]

It is absolutely disgraceful that members of the glbt community would continue to endorse a family who's legacy, experience and leadership has given us DOMA as well as Don't Ask Don't Tell! Not to mention the dismantling of many social programs beneficial to gays and lesbians. By the way, unlike Senator Obama, Senator Clinton has made it very clear that she has no intention of repealing DOMA in it's entirety. It also completely eludes me how anyone in the glbt community can be so irresponsible as to support Senator Clinton when she, without reservation, openly accepted an endorsement from Ann Coulter. You know, the Ann Coulter who called John Edwards a "faggot" and Christians "perfected Jews" and the widows of the 911 victims "harpies". We in the glbt community should command a great deal more self respect than has been displayed here. One final note,

there seems to be some confusion between health insurance and comprehensive healthcare. People need to be very careful about getting those two things confused. What Senator Clinton intends to do through her mandatory healthcare plan is force, (through "post taxed" dollars, fines or wage garnishing) individuals to line the pockets of health insurance companies. Much like the Bush administration has held Americans hostage, forcing us through high oil/propane prices to line the pockets of Exxon, Chevron and Haliburton etc. It should also be mentioned that the insurance company responsible for halting the 1993 healthcare reform plan of the Clinton Administration, paid President Clinton $150,000.00 dollars in 2005, to deliver a speech to their board.

Below are two links to links regarding the aforementioned information. The first is the health insurance company whose health insurance plan mirrors Senator Clintons. The second is to the site confirming the $150,000.00 dollar payment to President Clinton.

http://www.ahip.org/content/default.aspx...

http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.as...

Lastly, If you think that having health insurance through your job means you won't have to pay Hillary's mandatory health insurance premiums - think again! According to a September 18 Associated Press article, Clinton said in an interview with the AP: "... she could envision a day when 'you have to show proof to your employer that you're insured as a part of the job interview -- like when your kid goes to school and has to show proof of vaccination,' but said such details would be worked out through negotiations with Congress."

Go Obama!

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/2...

[Kyle]

I love Clinton, but I voted for Obama.

He has the best chance of winning the presidency against McCain. More importantly, he has the best chance of being an effective president and change the tone of politics in Washington. Does anyone honestly believe that dynamic can change with Hillary? It's just more of the same, with gridlock and polarization.

I urge you to read "The Audacity of Hope" if you are at all curious about Obama. There you will see his brilliant mind, strong ethics, humor, honesty and his wise approach on the major issues facing our country. I was inspired by what I read.

Obama is a strong supporter of our community, and he can make a real difference in the lives of all Americans, not to mention our standing with the world community.

[Cara M.]

For those of you who have written that you don't know where Obama stands on GLBT issues, for goodness sake, put some effort into your decision. Don't passively wait for someone to tell you what to think. Research both candidates. I have read both Obama and Clinton's books, listen to their speeches, signed up for their emails, researched their positions, etc.

In the end, I am supporting Barack Obama.

To learn more about his support of the GLBT community, you can go to his website.

[Gene]

I seem to remember Obama actually using the word "gay" in his announcement speech. And he used it in a positive way. Hillary didn't. (in fact, she politely skirts the issue every time we're mentioned.)

[Louis]

I voted for Obama in our primary this past weekend, but will vote for whoever is the Democratic nominee. Neither is pefect for the GLBT community, but either is better for us than any pro-war or theocratic GOP nominee.

[Jeffrey]

While the Clintons have always come to the gay community with hat in hand at election time, lets not forget "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" or the late night signing of the hideous Defense of Marriage Act. These are not friends of the gay community andas New Yorker, I cannot for the life of me think of one thing that Billary has done for the community here in New York as our Senator.

[Paul]

Any Democrat is better than any Republican. Period. Neither of the Democratic candidates is perfect on gay issues, but either is preferable to McCain or (God forbid) Huckabee. If you're an Obama supporter, grow up and stop saying you'll a. vote for the Republican or b. not vote at all. Vote Democrat and get over it.

[Louisiana4Change]

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! OBAMA08!

[Will]

I'm not a single issue voter, and anyway, neither one is better on our issues. I vote policy and record, and Hillary has far the more experience. Obama has no governing record to speak of. Instead, he has invented bizarre, pandering rhetoric to mislead young people and made grandiose promises he won't be able to keep. He is either hopelessly ignorant of American society or actually believes his absurd rhetoric. Either way, he's not someone I want in the top office. http://a-civilife.blogspot.com