Obama Ad Buys in Ohio & Texas

The Obama campaign is lavishing some of its cash advantage on the LGBT community with targeted ad buys in Ohio and Texas leading up to the critical March 4th primaries in both states (Rhode Island and Vermont also vote that day). According to Obama LGBT Steering Committee member Eric Stern, the campaign has just completed an ad buy with queer newspapers in the four largest LGBT markets of those two states -- Columbus, Cleveland, Dallas and Houston.

This is a generic version of the full-page ad that will appear starting this Friday (2/29) in Outlook Weekly of Columbus, the Gay People's Chronicle of Cleveland, the Dallas Voice, and OutSmart, which is Houston based. Buying a full-page, four-color ad that appears one time typically costs anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 in weekly publications. In the Gay People's Chronicle, for instance, the ad cost about $850 according to the paper's advertising manager; the same ad went for about $1500 in the Dallas Voice. (Ad provided by Obama '08) 

The ads were the brainchild of Stampp Corbin, co-chair of Sen. Obama's National LGBT Leadership Council. Stern called the coordinated buy "the icing on the cake" in terms of the Obama camp's outreach to the gay community in Ohio and Texas. "It's a direct appeal to LGBT voters asking for their support," he said, adding that the ads will include market-specific information about how people can get involved with the campaign. The Obama campaign has actively been trying to cut into the longstanding ties between gays and lesbians and Hillary Clinton.

Comments

[Steven in CA]

Oh, yeah. This will REALLY make up for his decision to have McClurkin campaign with him, his refusal to have a picture taken with Gavin Newsom, and his 12-year worship with a homophobic church.

[Mandelay]

I just read that gay and lesbian voters are defecting to Barack Obama. For anyone who wants to read up on how Barack Obama was "manufactured" to be all things to all voters, please read the article "Obama screamed at me." If the link doesn't work, "google" the title and you'll find it. Please go to, read (it's long but worth it), and circulate this link before time runs out:

www. news.houstonpress.com/2008-02-28/news/barack-oba ma-screamed-at-me

[rj]

Obama was not present for the Gay Marriage Act Vote. He doesn't want the gays to know he is homophobic.
We have fought too long and hard to have our vote swindled by this vote whore.

Obama is not our friend.
There will be a terrible backlash as he intends to line his so-called presidency with Nation of Islam homophobes.He has had ties to a Homophobic church for the last 20 yrs and will legislate against gays.
He believes that "homosexuality is an abomination to God"

Let's not and say we did.

Voting for Obama is like voting for Jerry Falwell or Anita Bryant.
Just say no to Obama.

http://thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/2008Election.html

http://obamasdeckofcards.blogspot.com/2008/02/obamas-voter-manipulation-its-called_23.html

[Blaine W. Florida]

ICING ON THE CAKE?

"The Obama campaign has actively been trying to cut into the longstanding ties between gays and lesbians and Hillary Clinton."

Senator Clinton has marched with us, supported us and speaks for us better than any other candidate. Senator Obama has us "target marketed" and could care less about us as PEOPLE and only looks at us as voters. His associations and his church are an affront to the GLBT Community and this is pandering in the worst way. SHAME ON YOU Senator OBama, and SHAME ON YOU Stonewall Dems in Houston!

For some insight into the real Barack Obama on GLBT Issues, see Hillaryis44 dot org. THEN make up your mind.

We have come too far for this man and his ilk to push us back.

[William Mayhew]

You have got to be kidding about gays and lesbian voters shifting to vote for Obama. He stood on stage with McClurkin as this guy said the most vilest thing about gay and lesbian people, I hope the votes he received from the crowd in the audience will haunt him to his grave. Obama didnt even want to be photograph with Newsom, althought he gladly took the money that Newsom raised for him. How deceitful, and how dare he used the GLBT community and stabbed it in the back once he got what he wanted. Obama is no friend of anyone but himself.

[Mitch]

Let’s set the record here. For decades, Hillary Clinton has stood by us. She doesn't just talk the talk, she walks the walk and supports GLBT (unlike Obama who just recently decided to take an interest in GLBT to try and nab votes).

Take for instance, the outreach efforts of Senator Clinton- herself, not her staff- with the gay community. Clinton has marched in Gay Pride parades as both First Lady and as Senator. In addition, she has spoken in front of so many LGBT audiences ranging from the Human Rights Campaign, Empire State Pride Agenda, the Hetrick Martin Institute, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis), and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

But more specifically, she has sat down and given live interviews to LGBT journalists over and over again, some as small as Gay People’s Chronicle.

Obama sat for one live interview with The Advocate. He was there with all the other candidates at the Logo forum. No others. Despite repeated requests to his campaign. If they are out there, I’m looking, asking, and not able to find any.

Compare press releases from each candidate about the brutal murder of a gay teen in California, Lawrence King.

Clinton:

“I was deeply saddened by the recent death of 15-year-old Lawrence King who was killed at his school in Oxnard, CA. No one should face intimidation or violence, particularly at school, because of their sexual orientation or the way they express their gender identity”

“We must finally enact a federal hate crimes law to ensure that gay, lesbian and transgender Americans are protected against violent, bias-motivated crimes. We must send a unified message that hate-based crime will not be tolerated.”

Obama:

“It was heartbreaking to learn about Lawrence King’s death, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. King’s senseless death is a tragic example of the corrosive effect that bigotry and fear can have in our society. It’s also an urgent reminder that we need to do more in our schools to foster tolerance and an acceptance of diversity; that we must enact a federal hate crimes law that protects all LGBT Americans; and that we must recommit ourselves to becoming active and engaged parents, citizens and neighbors, so that bias and bigotry cannot take hold in the first place. We all have a responsibility to help this nation live up to its founding promise of equality for all.“

Pretty much the same, right? Clinton’s statement came out the day before Obama’s. And you wonder why I feel like Obama rides on Clinton’s coattails?

Because he does.

At the 1988 Democratic National Convention, Ann Richards said, “If you give us the chance, we can perform. After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.”

What Richards didn’t live long enough to see was not only do you have to dance backwards in high heels, you have to provide all the policy and program. You have to meet with media large and small and endure being called “emotional,” “strident” and “grating.” You smile through “devious,” “power hungry” and having your ankle size subjected to national scrutiny.

Obama only needs to move forward, in sparkling dancing shoes. By being less specific, he can be the perfect screen onto which America projects our wishes and hope for change. Did I mention he has snubbed our gay community outright in the past?

While Clinton has to do the deep dip backwards to prove she’s the smartest one in the room, bending low so she doesn’t hit her head on the glass ceiling.

Obama doesn’t have anything new and different to say. He doesn’t need to because Clinton has already said it.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/02/29/as-god-is-my-witness-obama-snubs-newsom-gays/

[Jen]

At least religious right candidates like Huckabee are honest about where they stand on LGBT issues. Obama is talking the talk and trying to make us believe he supports the LGBT community when his actions and associations indicate otherwise. And why should LGBT voters abandon Hillary Clinton, who has stood by us for years? With her, we KNOW we would be getting an ally that we can count on in the White House. Why would we want to toss her aside for someone who hasn't really done anything for us?

[Jodi]

BHO is a lying pig. Notice whose name is conspicuoulsy absent from the cosponsors:

S. 3955 [109th]: Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2006
A bill to provide benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees.

Overview Summary Other Info

Bill Status
Sponsor: Sen. Joseph Lieberman [D-CT]hide cosponsors
Cosponsors [as of 2007-01-08]
Sen. Daniel Akaka [D-HI]
Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]
Sen. Maria Cantwell [D-WA]
Sen. Lincoln Chafee [R-RI]
Sen. Hillary Clinton [D-NY]
Sen. Mark Dayton [D-MN]
Sen. Russell Feingold [D-WI]
Sen. James Jeffords [I-VT]
Sen. Edward Kennedy [D-MA]
Sen. John Kerry [D-MA]
Sen. Frank Lautenberg [D-NJ]
Sen. Patrick Leahy [D-VT]
Sen. Carl Levin [D-MI]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Gordon Smith [R-OR]
Sen. Ron Wyden [D-OR]

www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-3955

Don't be fooled by this joker. VOTE FOR HILLARY!!!

[Jim Wagner]

Obama is all talk - Hillary is all results. Who would you rather have your back: talk or action?

[Kristin]

Get the REAL story on where Obama stands with GLBT (he doesn't):

http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=27118

Folks, this is just another attempt of a politician who will do anything to try and win our vote. HILLARY CLINTON, on the other hand, has always stood with us GBLT for decades!

[Shawn Kumagai]

Senator Obama recently released an “Open Letter from Barack Obama to the GLBT Community.” On one hand, it is a testament of how far we have come as a party that a serious contender for the Presidential nomination is addressing civil unions, equal rights for GLBT, ending don't ask don't tell, and support for hate crimes legislation. These positions sound beautiful and our community is desperate to hear them, but in the end it's just words and just speeches.

The problem is the disparity between what Obama says and what he does. Is this just another PR campaign? Will he deliver?

In June 2007 Obama made a slight gaffe when he made a point of stating he had been HIV tested with his wife during a debate response. His comments were construed as being borderline homophobic and inflammatory to the stigma surrounding HIV testing.

Later on in October, while campaigning for the hard-fought South Carolina Primary, Obama came under fire from the Human Rights Campaign for touring with a Born-Straight-Again performer, Donnie McClurkin. Mr. McClurkin had preached that homosexuality was a curse that could be cured through prayer.

In January, Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell endorsed Obama. Gay activists were outraged when they discovered that Caldwell's church website outlined a ministry which provided “… Christ Centered instruction for those seeking freedom from homosexuality, lesbianism, prostitution, sex addiction and other habitual sins.” Caldwell denied having known anything about the ministry, but when asked if he supported gay marriage or gay civil unions he skirted the question.

In the lead-up to the California Primary, the SF Chronicle reported that Barack Obama had slighted San Francisco mayor, Gavin Newsom, at a fundraiser four years ago, telling former SF mayor Willie Brown that he would “really not like to have his picture taken with Gavin.” At the time, Gavin Newsom was in the midst of a well-publicized controversy over gay marriages. Gavin Newsom endorsed Hillary Clinton.

That's because Gavin Newsom, GLBT communities, and proponents of GLBT legislation, like Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solomonese know that Hillary has the proven that she's willing to roll up her sleeves and fight for gay rights. In a testament before the HRC board Solomonese tells about how Hillary was actively involved in coordinating and ultimately defeating the Family Marriage Amendment. It's that kind of action and know-how that our community needs.

As New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said, "I've seen how Hillary Clinton's experience, commitment, and leadership have made a difference for the LGBT community. From her efforts to defeat the Federal Marriage Amendment to standing up for our rights in employment practices, there is no one else in this race who will fight harder for the LGBT community. She's ready to be our next president and I look forward to organizing the LGBT community on her behalf."

READ MORE:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2196
http://www.ourchart.com/node/299303

[Mike]

All the comments seem really one sided. I really hate it when political cult people stage a crazy ass coups like this on a comments page meant for discussion. Go home 44.org

[miguel garcia]

Open Letter From Barack Obama To The LGBT Community
February 28th, 2008

“I’m running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all – a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It’s wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.

Equality is a moral imperative. That’s why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation. In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples — whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.

The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.

We also need a president who’s willing to confront the stigma – too often tied to homophobia – that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president. That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones – and that’s what I’ve done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign – from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached.

Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.

Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.”

[miguel garcia]

Melissa Ethridge and other LGBT leaders chose Obama. For more information read the linked article. http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080229/pl_bloomberg/a_wg4hpi71wu;_ylt=AtRnxnVPQI6pFGDbQM0HFSth24cA

[John House]

Ethridge is irrelevant. Ellen, though, supports Clinton.

[Joseph Hill]

I suggest that we in the LGBTQueer Community should save our votes for a candidate that actually deserves them. Kucinich would have deserved my vote....but of course he's been pushed out by the professional consultants and party apparatchiks.

The only candidate left that deserves my vote is the candidate who favors EQUAL, rather than SIMILAR, rights for gay couples. Neither Obama nor Clinton is going to go to bat for our community....unless we start witholding our votes, our campaign contributions and our active support on the ground.

If you are satisfied with being shunted into the back of the bus, by all means vote for one of these triangulators. Neither one of them will scare ME into voting for them just because they're not as bad as a Republican.

We've allowed our votes and our very selves to be bought cheaply by the Kerrys, the Clintons, the Obamas, and a whole parade of other so-called Democrats, lo these many years. Now that they've pushed Kucinich off the stage, I'll vote for Ralph Nader or the nominee of the Green Party...the "Democratic" Party is on the road to irrelevance, due to their gutlessness and due to their bought-and-paid-for loyalty to their Big Money contributors!

[BTW...I notice that the Obama contingent met up at a Starbuck's. That shows their insensitivity to the working-class people who have fought tooth-and-nail to unionize, while Starbucks has thwarted them at every move. No honest wage-earner should have anything to do with union busters!]

[Joseph Hill]

>>>>>
Obama is all talk - Hillary is all results. Who would you rather have your back: talk or action?
>>>>

Oh, please! Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have gone on record as "OPPOSED" to same-gender MARRIAGE. Is that what they mean by "equal" rights? Do you think they'll be any more willing to support genuinely equal rights after the elections? If they're scared to do it now for fear of offending the Neanderthals and losing the election; they will be JUST as scared to support EQUAL rights once they're in office...for the same reasons that will maintain 4 years hence.

They are both afraid to LEAD on this issue. It ought to be very easy for two smart lawyers to argue the case for LGBTQ rights. We need leaders--REAL leaders--who are willing to EXPLAIN to the American people why we should have EQUAL rights....not "leaders" who are afraid to go out there and actively ADVOCATE for a cause that is Right and Just.

Obviously, neither of these candidates has much respect for the reasoning power and sense of justice that has encouraged Americans to support equal rights for others who have been discriminated against. Either that, or they have no faith in their own abilities to convince citizens of what is the right thing to do.

Either way, I color them "USELESS" as far as a principled stance on ANY issue!

[Joseph Hill]

BTW...I note that in the Obama poster pictured above, he refers to the Stonewall 'Riots'. Very UN-hip, Barack! What happened in Greenwich Village some 40 years ago was a REBELLION...not a riot.

[Bruce]

Obama could have at least learned something from McCain. When conservative whackjob Cunningham repeatedly used Obama's middle name, Hussein,during a campaign event, McCain IMMEDIATELY repudiated his remarks and apologized, vowing "It will never happen again" (BTW I am NOT a McCain supporter). What did Obama do regarding McClurkin's homophobic outburst on stage? NOT A DAMN THING. Obama is no friend of the GLBT community. Hillary has my vote. YOU GO GIRL!

[Nick]

Hillary Clinton is a total and complete fraud. Absolutely nothing comes out of her mouth that hasnt been poll tests 100 different ways. The only thing she cares about is Hillary. She'll do and say anything to win this nomination as this is the only thing that matters to her. Without the presidency she is nothing. She has stuck with her philandering husband for no other reason. Does anyone think these 2 would still be married if it wasnt for Billary's presidential aspirations? She touts 35 years of experience which is a total and complete joke. She didnt have the security clearance in the WH to be a part of any import decisions. The choice is so clear this year. Its Obama. Send Hillary packing once and for all!

[Janet]

Obama just like any good politician will say anything we want to hear. He is not for gay rights not if he is a member of the same church whose minister speaks so ugly of anyone who is not black.
I still keep wondering where does Obama get all of his money? A good number of his supporters are not exactly in the wealthy group and the $5.00 contribution does not add up to billions?

Can anyone enlighten me on this issue? I keep sending $10, $25 and even $100.00 to Hillary's campaign and yet her financial picture is not even close to Obama...so who is supporting his campaign?

[Janet]

I am really keeping my fingers crossed...Pennsylvania, North C., Kentucky, Oregon gays and lesbians are voting for Senator Clinton.
Can someone tell me that Senator Obama a member of Rev. Wright's Church and husband to Michelle Obama who keeps saying things like "life in America...is not good...We're a country that is just downright mean, we are guided for fear, we are a nation of cynics, sloths, and complacents" this is from the New Yorker Mail March 31 issue. Paul Hollander goes on to say "What remains unexplained is how she came to make these dark assesments, notwithstanding her priviledged life, which may culminate in becoming First Lady. Can she really believe that coming from a black blue-collar family, going to Princeton and Harvard, making a six figure income, and living in a $1,6million home is an anomaly, accident, or exception that says nothing about opportunity and social mobility in American society, and that her accomplishments and way of life have no relevance whatsoever to harsh judgements about America?" This certainly speaks to me, I would not vote for Obama if he were the only candidate on the ballot.
Sorry folks I strongly feel Senator Obama would be a very bad choice as our new Commander In Chief. For instance who is behind him, where is he getting all of his contributions from? Does anyone really know who he is?

[Michael]

Do you want a glimpse of how the candidates will run this country? Take a look at their campaigns:

Clinton started this campaign with a everything anyone could want: money, the "Clinton" name, the Clinton "machine", the list goes on and on. What did she do? Hired worthless advisors, squandered her money, and run a really sloppy campaign.

Obama hired smart people who understand how the world works today. They understand this new fangled thing called the "internet". They understand the power of the individual. They ran a brilliant campaign and are way ahead of Clinton, who was the presumptive winner a few short months ago.

The economy is in the toilet. Do I want a person running the country that can't even run her own campaign? She ended February $2.7 million in debt and Obama ended the month with $30 million in the bank.

As for the gay rights issues look at their voting record. Obama voted to repeal DOMA completely. Clinton voted to repeal only part of it.

Listen to their speeches. When does Clinton mention gays and lesbians (I haven't heard her do it once). I have heard Obama do it many times. His approach is that of inclusion.

Visit his website... read the GLBT info. Clinton has none on her website.

We trusted the Clintons with my vote in the 1992 and we ended up with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" = "Stay in the closet and we'll try not to peek inside." I'm not trusting the Clintons again. And that Bosnia stuff doesn't help her position either.

[Rocky]

To Jen and To John House:
S. 3955 died at the end of the 109th Congress. BHO is a co-sponsor of S. 2521, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Leiberman in 2007 (110th Congress), as is HRC. If it is not passed by the end of the 110th Congress, it will also be dead. My best guess is that it will die at the end of the session. Senator Reid (D, Majority Leader) is not a co-sponsor. Only 20 co-sponsors have signed on to this bill. Where are the rest of the Democrats? Where is Senator Feinstein? In the House, only 61 members have signed on to Rep. Baldwin's companion bill (HR 4838). Conspicuously missing is Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents a lot of San Francisco gay voters. Where are the rest of the Democrats? HR 4838 will also die in the House at the end of the 110th Congress.
The Democrats want gay votes, but the best gay voters can expect in return are crumbs from the table, accompanied by a higher income tax bill for many gay voters in 2009 and later years. If you didn't qualify for an income tax rebate in 2008, there is a good chance that YOUR income taxes will go up in 2009 if the Democrats make a clean sweep of things in November.

[Rocky]

To Jen and To John House:
S. 3955 died at the end of the 109th Congress. BHO is a co-sponsor of S. 2521, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Leiberman in 2007 (110th Congress), as is HRC. If it is not passed by the end of the 110th Congress, it will also be dead. My best guess is that it will die at the end of the session. Senator Reid (D, Majority Leader) is not a co-sponsor. Only 20 co-sponsors have signed on to this bill. Where are the rest of the Democrats? Where is Senator Feinstein? In the House, only 61 members have signed on to Rep. Baldwin's companion bill (HR 4838). Conspicuously missing is Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents a lot of San Francisco gay voters. Where are the rest of the Democrats? HR 4838 will also die in the House at the end of the 110th Congress.
The Democrats want gay votes, but the best gay voters can expect in return are crumbs from the table, accompanied by a higher income tax bill for many gay voters in 2009 and later years. If you didn't qualify for an income tax rebate in 2008, there is a good chance that YOUR income taxes will go up in 2009 if the Democrats make a clean sweep of things in November.