The Obama Camp Asks LGBT Dems For Help

Obama's highest ranking gay staffer implored LGBT delegates Wednesday to get involved in the election, one of several clear pushes by the campaign this week to tap the resolve of our community.

By Kerry Eleveld

An Advocate.com exclusive posted August 28, 2008

Barack Obama’s out deputy campaign manager, Steve Hildebrand, made an impassioned appeal to the DNC Convention’s LGBT caucus Wednesday, just 65 days before Americans cast their votes for president in November.

“I believe that our campaign has not done the effective job it needs to do to persuade and convince LGBT voters that Barack Obama is someone who will lead for them, who will fight for them, fight for us,” Hildebrand told some 300 gays gathered at the Colorado Convention Center. “That’s a failure on behalf of our campaign in my opinion, and I’ve played a role in it. What we need is for all of you to be our voices in our communities and to work tirelessly to give every single day, as much time as you can give, to know Barack’s record and to know John McCain’s failed record and to go out and talk to people who care about the future of LGBT people in this country.”

For any gay voter waiting to hear someone from the Obama campaign ask for their support, there it was. Hildebrand’s speech was a crystallizing moment in a cascade of events this week signaling that the Obama camp believes it both needs the LGBT community to win in November and has not yet closed the deal with this constituency. Three major convention speeches – those of Sen. Hillary Clinton, President Bill Clinton, and Sen. Ted Kennedy – have included references to LGBT Americans. Among the hundreds of events taking place this week, Michelle Obama was dispatched to the LGBT delegate luncheon Tuesday, where she spoke for nearly 30 minutes. And following the news of the passing of Del Martin – the beloved lesbian who finally legally married her longtime sweetheart Phyllis Lyon in June – Barack Obama issued a personal statement to the press.

“Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear that Del Martin had passed. Del committed her life to fighting discrimination and promoting equality. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her spouse Phyllis Lyon, and all those who were touched by her life,” it read.

The campaign also released Wednesday, for the very first time, an official side-by-side comparison between Barack Obama and John McCain on LGBT issues, contrasting their stances on concerns like adoption, the Defense Of Marriage Act, HIV/AIDS prevention, and gays in the military.

Listening to Hildebrand speak to the caucus Wednesday was like listening to a high school coach bare his soul on game night and ask his team to dig deep despite what trials may have come before.

“Don’t play games, don’t let anyone play games,” he said. “We know what it's been like in the last eight years and we knew what it was like in eight great years of the Clinton administration where we advanced the agenda for our community in a big way. That’s when I came out, that’s when I felt comfortable, that’s when I felt proud. And for the last eight years, I’m just as proud as I can be, but they’re not helping us. And I have a hard time when people like me are Republicans, because I don't get it. I don’t get it. They’re not on our side. Not that people in our party are perfect, but they're a whole Hell of a lot better. And we should be as partisan as we can be.”

Reached by phone following the caucus, Hildebrand acknowledged that Sen. Clinton had a huge gay following during the primaries and said he was concerned that not all LGBT voters had made the conversion.

“I think we’re worried that we haven’t done a good enough job of getting Barack’s record and his positions in front of gay voters,” Hildebrand said. “We’ve got to make up some time. So it was important for Michelle to make that appearance yesterday … and it was really important that we take the opportunity at the convention – where we have a record number of LGBT delegates – to really ask for their help and to really put them to work.”

Asked if he thought gay voters – who usually account for about 4% to 5% of voters in national exit polls – could significantly influence the election’s outcome, Hildebrand responded, “I believe that at least 12-14 states this election will be decided by 2-3 percentage points one way or the other, and if we do our collective work persuading LGBT voters to support Barack, I think it can make a big difference.”

Kerry Eleveld is Political Editor of The Advocate.

Keywords: 2008 Election Barack Obama

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Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

Name: gaypastor
Date posted: 2008-09-06 9:14 PM
Hometown: PA

Comment:

I will never support the man who decided to run against the "historic" first women with a real shot (he announced his run for president AFTER Hillary) and, in doing so (and in ignoring the obvious VP choice), he's split the Democrats apart! Folks we're going to lose this election...again...and it's Obama's fault. Who can vote for the guy who doesn't care about the actual RESPRESENTATION of women in the WHITE HOUSE (vs. the "look at me...I'm pro-choice" issues spin they keep presenting as "equal" enough). I hate to say it....I REALLY do, but I may be forced to put aside my most cherised issue (gay marriage) and vote Republican for the first time in my life! This man has taken over our party and ripped it into shreds while the world spends its time looking for "Bros before Hoes" tshirts and Palin bikini shots! Disgusting!!!! He should have picked Hillary as VP! It was such a obvious choice and he missed it! I don't want a man like this making bad decisions in the White House!

Name: John
Date posted: 2008-09-04 9:57 PM
Hometown: Hudson, NY

Comment:

I don't understand why so many gays are against civil unions, a lot of straights get married by a Justice of the Peace in a civil ceremony, and receive the same benefits of a married couple. It's the church and it's religious beliefs that keep gay marriage out of religious ceremonies. If they don't want us to get married in their houses of worship, get over it and get married by those who care and support us. We also have to keep in perspective that gay issues are not the most important to the candidates. Are we that selfish that we think it is all about us. The economy, health insurance, our standing in the world community and the WAR in Iraq is of utmost importance. All I want is equality, equality with my straight brothers and sister have. I truly believe the rest will follow. We have come a long way and why throw it all out because Obama or for that matter any other Democratic candidate isn't taking a total stance on gay rights.

Name: Michael
Date posted: 2008-08-29 12:00 AM
Hometown: new york

Comment:

I find it odd that Daniel, who seems to respond to the uplifting ideas of Sen. Obama would start calling those of us who don't see eye to eye names. Just because I question his support does not make me bitter or selfish. I want to hear specifically what he would do for our gays, and no, saying that we should be able to visit loved ones does not count. I want to hear that he will support solid ideas that will help us and that he will not throw us over in the face of opposition so he could get more important (to him) legislation passed. I think that I should be able to demand answers that concern me. I do care about other issues, but gay issues are close to me, so I will fight for them, just as a woman has every right to say that she would not vote for a pro-life candidate, even if that candidate agreed with her on other topics. There are some things that are too important, like equality.

Name: DANTE F.
Date posted: 2008-08-28 10:15 PM
Hometown: CHICAGO

Comment:

Whether you stay home, write in Hillary, or vote for some hopeless third party candidate, a vote that's not for Obama in this election is a vote for McCain. Gay marriage is not our MOST important issue, and GLBT issues are not the only issues at stake in this race. Hundreds of thousands of dead in a senseless war, an economy in free-fall, thousands without healthcare, the environment being poisoned, a pitifully broken education system, and on and on. If a bunch of bitter, selfish, myopic queer folk can't see that and get beyond their own disappointment, then you deserve another four year or eight years of this grotesque, dangerous, disastrous, shameful government.

Name: Michael
Date posted: 2008-08-28 8:34 PM
Hometown: New York

Comment:

I am tired of hearing that we shold vote for the lesser of two evils. Why do we ALWAYS have to help someone win, who is only moderately more interested in us than the other. Why is it that it is up to us to put our needs second? The reason the democrats talk but do not act, is that they think that we will always vote for them. They think we have no where else to go. I do....right past the voting booth. We are always told by our leaders to stand up for ourselves. So, I will not vote for either man. Neither one supports my love for my partner. Obama and Michelle can say all they want behind closed doors, but when he is in fornt of the camera....he can "AFFORD" us civil unions. Thanks, but no thanks. Besides, the republicans ans conservative democrats ( you know them, Sam Nunn was one...obama's goopd friend) will block him...if he even tries. Mr. Hildebrand, it is not your fault...it is your boss.

Name: Eileen
Date posted: 2008-08-28 7:49 PM
Hometown: Kihei, HI

Comment:

This is the same man who courted the gay community in Texas on a Friday, then told the press and all that would listed the following day that he wants Senator Hagel in his administration. Obama cannot be trusted, and he is doing what many pols do when their numbers are down. He's coming to us hat in hand, and offering nothing. I believe his campaign staff removed the demand to lift Defense of Marriage Act from the Democratic platform this year. So what is he offering to do for us? What is long overdue - scrapping DODT that even the military now backs getting rid of. This is just not enough from a so-called 'progressive.' I can't vote Republican, but I can easily vote Green Party, even if the candidate is not wrapped for shipping. I WILL NOT vote for Obama.

Name: Todd
Date posted: 2008-08-28 6:18 PM
Hometown: Seattle, WA

Comment:

You know, it's nice to "vote your conscience" and that's what a lot of people did back in 2000 when the "Green Crazies" voted for Ralph Nadar. Practically all of those votes would have gone towards Al Gore back then and, by "default" it shunted this disaster, George Bush, into the Whitehouse. So, Be VERY CAREFULL about "writing in" votes for Hillary or anyone else. You know darned well that she's "not running"....."Hello"!!!! Do you want the same thing to happen this year?........McCain winning by "default"? Be smart on election day, don't WASTE your vote. Hillary told you to transfer your vote to Obama and, if you love and respect her as much as it seems you do, you'll respect her wishes. He's the best we've got right now to fight this backward Republican ideology ("idiot-ology"). Obama's our only hope in this election and you all know it.

Name: BeachcomberT
Date posted: 2008-08-28 5:45 PM
Hometown: Daytona Beach

Comment:

I'm sure Obama, pushed and prodded by Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and others, will support some incremental steps toward equality for the LGBT people. But to me it's appalling that a professor of constititutional law is injecting religious arguments into the issue of who is entitled to civil marriage. And not very inspiring that Democrats don't have the guts to put the "G/L" words into their almighty platform. Get real, Obama should be leading by at least 10 points in the polls with the recession and war mess that we're in, but he's barely holding on. So now he sends his surrogates crawling to us seeking votes -- and money.

Name: Michael
Date posted: 2008-08-28 3:58 PM
Hometown: Sacramento

Comment:

Reading some of the comments here from Obama supporters makes me very sad. Jennifer, you need to get a grip on reality. It is quite possible that there are proud, intelligent, non-racist people out there who just don’t agree with your analysis. If you aren’t open enough to learn from these people and expand your horizons, at least have the courtesy to show them some respect. Darren, have you actually read Obama’s position? He is opposed to same sex marriage on religious grounds and thinks that should be the law of the land. Art M. sounds quite real to me and didn’t say he’s supporting McCain. It’s no wonder the Democrats feel no need to throw us anything but crumbs. We’ll bash each other into doing what’s politically correct and expedient fighting over them.

Name: Wayne Besen
Date posted: 2008-08-28 3:32 PM
Hometown: New York City

Comment:

Go Obama....he is not perfect (who is), but he is so much better than the Republicans and McCain. Any gay person who votes for McCain is in serious denial and has issues with reality. The facts don't lie - Obama is superior to McCain on our issues. It isn't even close. It is a no-brainer that can only be denied by people with no brains. It is time that the entire community come together to rally around Obama and do our part to put him in the White House. We can't afford a 4-8 year McCain setback. It would be a disater, from public policy to the Supreme Court. Let's unify into a cohesive national vote that makes the difference and propels Obama to victory. And, quite frankly, electing an African American will allow todays GLBT youth to dream that anything is possible in America. An Obama victory sends the message that one day, it may be possible to have an openly gay president.

Name: Darrel R.
Date posted: 2008-08-28 2:51 PM
Hometown: Walker Minnesota

Comment:

It is beyond belief that gays will vote for McCain ..don't gays realize... all in its time..half the pie is better than none..marriage may come in time, it is JUST NOT politically expedient now for Obama to come out for gay marriages . When will we come to our senses and seize what is available NOW instead of waiting..as Art M seems to be..until he can have the WHOLE pie...not just the pieces now available to us gays? McCain is no comparison with Obama..none at all..his policies will hold in abeyance any and all gay advances during his term. Get real guys...the only choice we have now is to take what is available..not the whole pie.

Name: Jennifer
Date posted: 2008-08-28 2:23 PM
Hometown: Orlando, FL

Comment:

I am disgusted by all the naysayers--you act like Obama is the devil incarnate. Truth is, Hillary Clinton (whom most of the gay Obama haters seemed to support) ALSO doesn't believe in marriage for same-sex couples. Both Hillary and Obama do believe in civil unions, though. Hillary Clinton's husband was the man who signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law. Remember that? The only Democratic candidates who believe in full marriage rights are Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich... they didn't stand a chance among gay people though because everyone was busy being all starry-eyed about Clinton. I think if you are a GLBT Democrat and DON'T vote for the Obama-Biden team, you're perhaps self-loathing and quite possibly a deep-seated racist.

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