Obama Considers Gay Ally for Running Mate

The blogosphere is abuzz with speculation that Lt. Gen. Claudia J. Kennedy, a retired three-star general, is one of a dozen people under consideration to accompany presidential hopeful Barack Obama to the polls this November. According to PinkNews, Europe’s largest gay news service, Kennedy has supported campaigns to overturn "don’t ask, don’t tell."

Kennedy’s consideration for running mate could appeal to many different groups, reports PinkNews. Former supporters of Hillary Clinton could align themselves with Obama should he choose a woman as his running mate.

Kennedy’s military record is also part of the equation, as American voters have a history of electing military leaders to political positions. Kennedy served in the Army for 30 years and has a background in Army Intelligence, reports PinkNews.

According to PinkNews, Kennedy served as an adviser during John Kerry’s unsuccessful 2004 campaign and endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination this year. (The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (9) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: Frank
Date posted: 7/2/2008 11:27:00 PM
Hometown: Wildwood, NJ

Comment:
Hmm, I really think she'd be a great VP... if it was even LEGAL for her to run! She is a likely candidate for Secretary of Defense/Joint Chiefs, etc. but she was born in FRANKFURT, GERMANY making her inelligable to run for Vice President or President.
Back to top
Name: NJOKU MBISIKE
Date posted: 6/27/2008 1:43:00 PM
Hometown: IMO

Comment:
i think obama is wasting time in selecting his running mate.i think he should do it now. NJOKU MBISIKE President biotech.department,FUTO NIGERIA.08038982505
Back to top
Name: Marlene
Date posted: 6/26/2008 9:33:00 AM
Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Comment:
Where is the heck does it say that she is a lesbian? Support for the end of DADT comes from gays AND our straight allies. Let's not start unbased rumors already...hell, leave that to the likes of Limbaugh and O'Reilly, because you know their feeble minds will go there anyway.
Back to top
Name: Leonard Myron
Date posted: 6/25/2008 3:36:00 PM
Hometown: Edgewater, New Jersey

Comment:
Even though I am sure Ms. Kennedy would bring a host of skills and talent to the office of Vice President, the sad truth is that having a lesbian on his ticket would cost Barak Obama far too many votes which we can't afford to lose. The 'swift boaters' and the homophobic religious right community would be given ammunition that they would use at the drop of a hat. Let's not forget 4 years ago how states were lost to the Republicans due to the inclusion of gay marriage planks on their ballots. One day we will see a gay man or lesbian at the top of a national ticket, but unfortunately, that time is not now.
Back to top
Name: Alexander
Date posted: 6/24/2008 5:38:00 PM
Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Comment:
Scott, how do you know she is a lesbian?
Back to top
Name: Scott
Date posted: 6/24/2008 4:07:00 PM
Hometown: Tampa, FL

Comment:
There is no way on earth anyone is considering an open lesbian for the office of Vice President. I think this is just wishful thinking on the part of the author - or Obama wants to make us think he could be this open minded. Nope - not gonna happen.
Back to top
Name: Bob Green
Date posted: 6/24/2008 12:07:00 PM
Hometown: Carmel, IN

Comment:
Unfortunately, the United States, like most countries, is not yet ready for a GLBT VP or President. It would guarantee a McCain victory and the further destruction of the United States in doing so. Senator Obama is undoubtedly letting us know he considers us as equals in this area, but just like the Islamic Women with headscarves not being allowed in the photo shoot behind the candidate, some things are just too controversial for a Presidential win. Look for her in an important role in his administration though. Secretary of Defense? Only Senator Obama knows for sure.
Back to top
Name: njoku mbisike
Date posted: 6/24/2008 10:09:00 AM
Hometown: futo,nigeria

Comment:
how true is this news.
Back to top
Name: Elizabeth
Date posted: 6/23/2008 8:18:00 PM
Hometown: Citrus Heights

Comment:
I read General Kennedy's biography (a shame that I ran into it at the $1.00 store instead of a regular bookstore) a few years ago. I'd certainly consider her a great candidate for VP.

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

Commentary Progress in the Midwest
A city native and strong supporter of Kalamazoo's effort to keep an anti-discrimination law reflects on a hard-won campaign.

Commentary What Marriage in Maine Meant for Me

Dana Hernandez is a straight white married mother of two young children. But in campaigning for No on 1 and reporting Election Night outcomes for Advocate.com, defeat hit her like a ton of bricks.

Marriage Equality Terri White Stages Her Leather Encore

Last year, acclaimed stage performer Terri White was homeless and living in a public park. On Sunday, she and her partner held a leather-themed commitment ceremony onstage following her triumphant Broadway turn in Finian’s Rainbow.

Music Ghost Story

Out singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile discusses working with her childhood mentor, coming out publicly, and joining next year's Lilith Fair.

News View From Washington: GOP Upheaval

Now that the only pro-marriage equality candidate in New York's 23rd Congressional district, Republican Dede Scozzafava, has dropped out of the race, Tuesday's election holds any number of political lessons for both the GOP and the LGBT community.

Books Hot Sheet: Ditto Knocking 'Em Dead

This week might not bring anything to the screen other than a Boondock Saints sequel, but there are plenty of reasons to sit at home on the couch or head to your local concert venue.

News Features Sailor Speaks Out
Sailor Joseph Rocha endured years of hazing until he spoke out — then he was discharged for revealing his homosexuality. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is itching to suit back up.

Music Rainbow High

Busy Broadway heartthrob, gay rights activist, and former Advocate coverboy Cheyenne Jackson chats about his Finian’s Rainbow revival, his politically charged cabaret CD, and laying around in his underpants (pic on page five).

Marriage Equality For Maine, The Time is Now
Money is on their side and the polls look optimistic, but volunteers fighting to preserve marriage equality in Maine are prepared for a fight to the finish.

Television Another Tough Broad

After being outed by a Nazi and locking lips with a hook-up three times in one episode, Christine Woods's tough-talking FBI agent Janis Hawk on ABC's FlashForward might just be prime time's best gay offering — who isn't in Glee club, that is.

Books In Sickness and in Health

Mary Cappello’s memoir Called Back takes readers on a white-knuckle journey through the experience of cancer treatment in America — especially disorienting to navigate as a woman and a lesbian.

Books An American Crime

Best-selling novelist Patricia Cornwell made headlines last week when she filed suit against a New York investment firm for losing $40 million of her money. But she'd much rather talk about her new book, hate-crimes legislation, and Angelina Jolie.

Comedy Gilded Lily

After conquering Broadway, movies, and television, out funny lady Lily Tomlin prepares for the final frontier — Las Vegas.

Entertainment News Ricky Martin, No Shirt and a Baby
Ricky Martin knows how to get the camera's attention. Take a look at the many pictures of Ricky uploaded to his Twitter account in the past three months, always shirtless, frequently carrying one (or both) of his babies.

Television Fresh Blood
With True Blood a bona-fide cultural phenomenon, producer Alan Ball offers tantalizing hints about what to expect on season 3.