Will future campaigns learn any lessons from the McClurkin episode?

[terrya]

Was this sorry episode a learning experience?

[ShortnFiery]

1. Gee, I doubt it because it's all contrived type of controversy ... well not on DU

but outside of here ... good luck at spinning this into anything other than a supporter (like HRC) who Obama does NOT concur with on every damn issue? :eyes:

[QC]

29. 330 hits on Google News right now.

Doesn't sound like a DU-only story to me.

[denem]

2. I don't know - I hope so

I am still recovering from my personal lesson, that human rights are absolute - and even if you think you know, you really don't. Outrage and anger are no substitute for understanding and a genuine celebration of our diversity.

[geek tragedy]

3. Two lessons:

1) Don't book controversial asshats to appear at campaign events;

2) Do not, upon pain of death, make a controversial asshat your emcee for that campaign event.

[zulchzulu]

4. A couple lessons...

1. When setting up events, have multiple set of eyes to look at the guests if it's going to be anything more than performers. Rallies always have at least a band, some other entertainers and people to introduce the main candidate. In the McClurkin case (which was one night), knowing that he probably was a loose cannon and was intent on overstepping the line instead of just singing, I would have probably have dumped him as an act due to a little Google search and seeing that he was singing at the 2004 GOP convention.

The vetting process sometimes is rushed due to events coming up quickly since campaigns are in sprint mode at this point. If the vetting process can see any red flags on a guest at an event, it's best to punt.

2. If an event is going to be somewhere, the program and itinerary have to be iron-clad and possibly have a dry run rehearsal beforehand.

[western mass]

5. Getting up on stage with people who hate blacks & jews...

is still a no-no, but doing it with people who hate gays is OK. In fact, lots of liberals will fall all over themselves making excuses for you.

Lesson learned, Obama campaign. Got it.

[Ninja Jordan]

6. There's nothing to learn.

DU is irrelevant and Obama is now tied in Iowa. Appearing in South Carolina, a place with a rich black religious tradition, with a pastor who opposes homosexuality, does not make Obama a bitgot or any comparable slur. In fact, I'd venture to say a large majority of America's clergy men and women share the exact same views as McClurkin. Obama's adversaries erroneously, or perhaps purposely and insidiously, use McClurkin's cloak of religiousness to slur him as a bigot or homophobe.

[mondo joe]

9. McGlurkin is a bigot, and a liar, and is hurting people. His religion isn't an

excuse.

[Ninja Jordan]

10. He's a pastor who opposes homosexuality.

Calling everyone who opposes homosexuality on religious grounds a bigot is casting a wide net. John Edwards, for example, still has refused to support marriage rights for gays. I haven't read anything by this paticular pastor to suggest he is a bigot who's engaged in some sort of hate speech. In fact, he called gay and lesbian people his 'brothers and sisters' at the recent campain event. Unless you want a political party that garners about 15% of the popular vote, you better learn to accept a bigger tent.

[mondo joe]

12. That makes him a bigot. And a liar. And someone who is hurting people.

[Ninja Jordan]

13. Great argument, you've thoroughly convinced me

that you never liked Obama in the first place.

[mondo joe]

14. It's not an argument. It's a statement of fact.

You can make of it what you like, and you can excuse it if it suits you to let some bigotry slide.

[Ninja Jordan]

15. Yawn. It's an erroneous conclusion made without thinking critically

Your beef is with religion. Had this McClurkin fella actually said derrogatory things about gays, I'd agree with you. He's merely stated that he disagrees with the behavior (the same as 90% of clergy in the US), and that his faith delivered him from this behavior. Personally, I think the guy is full of shit. But it doesn't make him a bigot. It makes him a religious idiot.

[mondo joe]

17. To the contrary: there are many religious people who would disagree with his bigoted

lies. Just because you accept them, don't make the mistake of thinking it's the religious standard.

He's a bigot. You just don't like to admit it.

[Ninja Jordan]

18. Disagree with them how? I'd love examples, instead of mob-mentality nonsense.

[mondo joe]

19. There are many religious people who don't believe being gay is either a choice or wrong.

Do you really need supporting data? Are you so sheltered that you don't know that?

[Ninja Jordan]

23. I need proof that this is more than a small minority.

Evidence has never been your forte, though. Specifically, I'd need evidence that more than 10% of religious denominations in the US do not view the practice of homosexuality as wrong/sinful. Thanks.

[mondo joe]

24. Okay, I understand you: it's okay to promote a bigoted message if it's popular.

Thanks!

[jonnyblitz]

26. obama sure has some pretty nasty supporters here at DU.

:puke:

[mondo joe]

27. Based on Ninja Jordan's reasoning, it would be fine for Hillary to have a pro-segregation

speaker on her campaign in a lot of areas.

[QC]

30. They really are the absolute worst. n/t

[NMMNG]

32. The "practice" of homosexuality?

Nice code speak. I see you've bought the homophobe's language down to the very last syllable.

[NMMNG]

22. Being gay is no more a behavior than being straight

That argument is bull. Religious bull. And the people who buy it and/or pander to it are fools.

[NMMNG]

20. You haven't read anything by McClurkin to suggest he's a bigot?

Have you been under a rock for the past two weeks?

Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, who has detailed his struggle with gay tendencies and vowed to battle "the curse of homosexuality," said yesterday he'll perform as scheduled at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, despite controversy over his view that sexuality can be changed by religious intervention.

"I can't let off. I didn't call myself -- God called me to do what I do," McClurkin told The Post's Hamil R. Harris. The Grammy winner declared, "If this is a war, we are willing to fight. Not a war of violence, but a war of purpose."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42982-2004Aug28.html

Homosexuality is a "curse", and McClurkin is declaring war against gays--trying to eradicate us. That's not bigotry?

[dbackjon]

31. No, he is a bigot and evil homophobe

Anyone who agrees with him is as well. So what if that is the majority of clergy in America. That just shows how much THEY need to change.

A majority of clergy supported slavery at one time - did that make it right?

[NMMNG]

11. On the contrary

McClurkin uses his cloak of religiousness to slur gay people and incite hostility and hatred toward them. He hides his homophobia behind a mask of religious righteousness to make it seem holy and godly when it's nothing other than old fashioned bigotry.

[mondo joe]

7. One lesson: a number of so-called progressives and dems don't care if you piss on gays,

especially if you mix in a lot of religion and singing.

[sniffa]

8. the onLy Lessons they may take from it

1. you can actuaLLy cut off your nose to spite your face.

2. make sure you have enough supporters who can spin and twist anything to enabLe bigots.

3. make sure you have enough supporters who are pretty fucking nasty (see point 2).

other than that....

future campaigns may Learn that the GLBT and the their aLLies wiLL never vote for you - primary or GE - if you throw them under the bus.

it's a big fuck you, and unLess we hoLd them accountabLe, they'LL continue to do so.

fuck that.

no votes. no money.

[sampsonblk]

16. No, but I wanted to thank you

In a post yesterday, you mentioned the catholic church. So I did some digging into John Paul II's views. Very heavy stuff!

As for campaigns, it seems Democrats always over-learn the wrong lessons. Today, we are hard at work, finally fighting the 2002 midterm elections (IWR, etc). The GOP picks up lessons much faster and uses them to kick our butts. Let's pray for wisdom this time around.

[terrya]

21. Not to offend any Catholics, but it's even worse under Pope Benedict.

This Pope is hostile to gays and lesbians. Pure vicious hatred against gay people.

You're welcome. And I agree with your hope for wisdom in 2008.

[Midlodemocrat]

28. Sadly you are correct.

My own priest however, is very welcoming to the GLBT community, which is why I still go. Men made these rules, not the Lord.

[swimboy]

33. Mmmm. Midlo! Thanks.

:thumbsup: :loveya:

[CK_John]

25. Too early to tell, depends on the outcome of the early primaries. n/t