Obama And The Gay Press

The blogosphere is quick to blur the distinction between what is and what ought to be. Below, I explained the Obama campaign's rationale in ignoring the gay press.

To which one writer writes: "Do you really believe that Obama does not engage in identity politics? Or are you confused about which identity?"

Fair point. Obama has organized his campaign less around identity politics, but he certainly has engaged in identity politics.

And another writer who is not sympathetic to the Obama campaign believes that I am covering for the Obama campaign's arrogance, which is a reflection of their candidate's arrogance and antipathy toward the press in general.

Comments

For some, Obama getting up in the morning is a reflection of his "arrogance."

Posted by Jenny R | April 10, 2008 2:56 PM

Jenny,

You mean uppity?

Or is that only the issue when he gets it up?

Posted by D | April 10, 2008 3:29 PM

Obama has spoken up about gay rights in black churches, an audience that is often viewed as hostile to gay rights.

Bill Clinton signed DOMA.

Any questions?

Posted by LFC | April 10, 2008 3:37 PM

Have you seen today's interview with Obama on The Advocate's website:

http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid53285.asp

Posted by Bill Siroty, MD | April 10, 2008 3:45 PM

Have you seen the interview with Obama in today's Advocate.com:

http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid53285.asp

Posted by Bill Siroty, MD | April 10, 2008 3:47 PM

Posted by LFC | April 10, 2008 3:37 PM

I feel like a hack, but almost everything LFC says I end up agreeing with.

Posted by socctty | April 10, 2008 4:36 PM

I don't get the "arrogance" meme. Obama has got to be about the least arrogant candidate running right now. Confident, yes. But not arrogant.

Posted by former deaniac | April 10, 2008 5:57 PM

former deaniac,

well to be honest... I mean it's a silly statement to begin with. Anyone who runs for President is going to be arrogant. I mean... how highly do you have to think of yourself to say, "I should rule the US."

On another note, Clinton supporters who call Obama arrogant are just pissed off their losing. There's nothing more arrogant than asking the person who's beating you if they would like to be your vice-president. Now THAT'S arrogance.

Posted by John | April 10, 2008 6:33 PM

His speech at Ebenezer Baptist Church on MLK's day said it all for me. I have never heard a presidential candidate talk so candidly about gay rights and I am a middle-aged gay woman.

I think Michelle Obama probably keeps his ego in check. I can only imagine that running for one of the highest offices in the world, one would have to constantly work on that. At times I think he is is too modest. He's not very good at selling himself and all of his credentials. I don't find him arrogant at all...a little too passive maybe.

Posted by robin Brun | April 10, 2008 7:21 PM