Blogging the Debate—Obama
In 1993, the year “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was enacted, Barack Obama had just graduated from Harvard Law where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Needless to say he didn’t have a say in passing DADT back then. But since he has been in office, first in Springfield and now in DC, Obama has been a beacon of hope and optimism not only to the country, but to the LGBT community in particular. The son of a white woman and a black man growing up in Hawaii, Obama has lived with and overcome bigotry all of his life. The LGBT community understands the kind of struggles Obama has faced and we hope that Obama, in turn, understands ours. Mark McKinnon, former top adviser to President Bush and a former adviser to Senator John McCain, once described Obama as, “the most interesting persona to appear on the political radar screen in decades. He’s a walking, talking hope machine, and he may reshape American politics.” For the sake of gay patriots across this country, and in war zones around the world, we certainly hope so. Tip O’Neil’s hoary old line about all politics being local is certainly true in the political realities of Sen. Obama. Illinois has in recent years sent some of its most progressive men and women to DC (yes Hillary included). Carol Moseley Braun, who held the Junior Senate seat before Obama, was a leader in progressive politics and a true friend of the LGBT community. Then there are his constituents, including Jean Albright who recently hosted a benefit in honor of gay and lesbian service members in Chicago. -Victor Maldonado COMMENTS: Senator Obama, speaking to reporters after his on-air appearance said that he would “call on the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have them call for an end to . . . ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell.’” Obama went on to say that, “"It doesn't make sense when we have lost Arabic linguists, when we need them so desperately.” Steve RallsLabels: 2008, carol moseley braun, Chicago, community events, Hillary Clinton, live-blogging, presidential candidates
08-09-07
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Comments for this entry are closed.Steve Ralls on December 31, 1969 at 02.00 pm
Senator Obama, speaking to reporters after his on-air appearance said that he would “call on the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have them call for an end to . . . ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” Obama went on to say that, ““It doesn’t make sense when we have lost Arabic linguists, when we need them so desperately.”
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