With GOP and other right-wing lies coming across email chain forwards, FOX news, blogs and other mediums, Barack's campaign has launched "Fight the Smears". With a simple list of attempted smears and manipulations Barack's campaign shows the actual truth - sometimes with video proof of the truth.

Check it out at www.FightTheSmears.com

Here's an example:

THE SMEAR: Barack Obama Won't Say The Pledge of Allegiance/Won't Put His Hand Over His Heart
LIE: Barack Obama won't say the pledge
LIE: Barack Obama won't put his hand over this heart during the pledge of allegiance

THE TRUTH: View video of Barack leading The Pledge of Allegiance in the United States Senate below...

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, ellen degeneres, marriage, mccain

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama, portland

Beyond words. He has inspired a nation and he can and will change the face of this country for the better.

Barack was just here in Portland and spoke to a crowd of tens of thousands 75,000 at Waterfront Park. ABC news called it the largest political rally in the history of this cycle. Here's a picture (thanks to the Portland Mercury):



Here's a little video that continues to resonate with me. It's from the New Hampshire primary.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama, oregon, portland

Obama picked up an endorsement from California superdelegate Crystal Strait, a Young Democrats of America board member and a former California Young Democrats president.

"It's probably the hardest decision I've made in my life," Strait told CNN.

"I respect both candidates so much. But listening to how young people voted and caucused around the country, I know this was the right decision."

[...]

Clinton has a 43-percentage-point advantage over Obama, 66 percent to 23 percent, according to a survey from the American Research Group released Friday.

[via CNN]

May 20th is Oregon's primary where Barack is expected to win.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama, hilary clinton

As Oregonians are voting right this very second - and each day following until May 20th (we all vote by mail), I feel this wave of change and damn it feels good. With a solid victory in North Carolina and what I consider a victory in Indiana - Obama-rama is taking hold.

On a side note, Oregonians should know that Obama will be in here Oregon May 9th and 10th. That is this Friday and Saturday! More details to come on location, etc.

I leave you with this.

Labels: 2008 elections, 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama

Check. Check and uhh - check. Here is the first national ad from the DNC.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, mccain, video

Shocking. Blue Oregon has the dirt on McCain's keynote address at a 1993 fundraiser for the Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA) headed up by Lon Mabon. The OCA was responsible for numerous anti-gay ballot initiatives up until their last attempt in 2000. If you've lived in Oregon for any amount of time, you know the OCA and their hateful and often violent ways.


From Blue Oregon:

It seems that the media is having a lot of fun these days digging up old acquaintances of presidential candidates, finding an objectionable comment, and then badgering the candidates into denouncing those folks.

It doesn't seem to matter how tenuous the "relationship", how long ago it was, or anything.

So, courtesy of Jeff Mapes (who has an excellent post about John McCain's temper), here's a little snippet from a long-ago Oregonian article.

It seems that in 1993, John McCain was the keynote speaker at a fundraising banquet for the Oregon Citizens Alliance, the notorious anti-gay organization that was causing all sorts of trouble in Oregon in the 1990s.

McCain quickly got a first-hand flavor for the OCA. Marylin Shannon, the vice chairwoman of the Oregon GOP, had a spot on the program to give an opening prayer. In short order, she praised the Grants Pass woman accused of shooting an abortion doctor in Wichita and thanked the Lord ``for Lon Mabon and the vision you put in his heart.''

Let's check that again. Marilyn Shannon praises a terrorist who shot a doctor while introducing John McCain, and not only does he stay, he stands up and gives a fundraising address for these terrorist-lovers?

Outrageous. Will John McCain do what he should have done 15 years ago - and denounce the domestic terrorists who shoot doctors who provide legal medical services?

America is waiting.

[via Blue Oregon]

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, anti gay, mccain, oregon

That's right. I was just as surprised to hear it. Of all the places Chelsea decided to swing by on Saturday night was Portland's annual famed Red Dress Party. Though she didn't wear a red dress (as required) she was wearing a Product RED t-shirt under her suit jacket.


Photo via Marty Davis at Just Out.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, portland

Amazing video. He inspires with every word - so eloquent. For those you in Portland and surrounding areas, Barack will be here this Friday!

Details:
STAND FOR CHANGE RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA
Memorial Coliseum
500 North Winning Way
Portland, OR 97227
Doors Open: 7:30 AM
Program Begins: 9:30 AM
This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For your free ticket, please visit http://or.barackobama.com/portland

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama, video

For some reason I'm a bit surprised with the results of tonight's primaries. I sort of expected Brack to take these states considering his momentum. Quite exciting though. A true two candidate race.

Here are the latest results:

Texas (Primary) Reporting: 84% | Clinton 51% / Obama 47%
Texas (Caucus) Reporting: 13% | Obama 54% / Clinton 46%
Ohio Reporting: 92% | Clinton 55% / Obama 43%
Rhode Island 98% Reporting: Clinton 58% / Obama 40%
Vermont Reporting: 86% | Obama 60% / Clinton 38%

P.S. Huckabee dropped out. Who knew he was still in?

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama, hilary clinton

Obama's campaign has released an "Open Letter to the LGBT Community" in which Obama reiterates his promises to eliminate discrimination, urge the states to treat same-sex couples with full equality, repeal DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and address the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Open Letter from Barack Obama to the LGBT community

I'm running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all - a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.

Equality is a moral imperative. That's why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation. In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples - whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.

The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.

We also need a president who's willing to confront the stigma - too often tied to homophobia - that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president. That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones - and that's what I've done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign - from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached.

Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.

Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, barack obama

Twenty-one openly gay Democrats have been identified as super delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer, and 12 have declared their support for presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton.

As of this week, just two of the gay super delegates had declared their support for presidential contender Barack Obama, while seven were listed as undeclared.

Under party rules, super delegates - who consist mostly of party activists, Democratic governors and members of Congress - are not obligated to commit themselves to any candidate and are free to switch from one candidate to another.

Read more over at the Washington Blade.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election

Inspired by a speech that Barack Obama made in New Hampshire, will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas joined with a number of musicians and actors and put Obama's speech to music. Not only is this video outstanding - but Obama's speech is absolutely phenomenal. Watch the video below. I promise it's worth it.

On a side note, Obama was endorsed by the Oregonian today.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, obama, video

John McCain who just won Florida tonight, also happened to stoop back down to the level of the current administration and played the gay card.

McCain's campaign conducted anti-gay robo calls. A robo call is an automated call that plays a voice message. Here is what the calls said:

"I'm calling with an urgent Mitt Romney [unintelligible]

"We care deeply about traditional values and protecting families. And we need someone who will not waver in the White House: Ending abortion, preserving the sanctity of marriage, stopping the trash on the airwaves and attempts to ban God from every corner of society. These issues are core to our being.

"Mitt Romney thinks he can fool us. He supported abortion on demand, even allowed a law mandating taxpayer-funding for abortion. He says he changed his mind, but he still hasn't changed the law. He told gay organizers in Massachusetts he would be a stronger advocate for special rights than even Ted Kennedy. Now, it's something different.

"Unfortunately, on issue after issue Mitt Romney has treated social issues voters as fools, thinking we won't catch on. Sorry, Mitt, we know you aren't trustworthy on the most important issue and you aren't a conservative.

"Paid for by John McCain 2008."

McCain: More of the same - just another fucking loser.

More at HRC's Back Story.

Labels: 2008 elections, 2008 Presidential Election, anti-gay, mccain

Mitt Romney Defends Himself Against Allegations Of Tolerance

We've posted videos from the Onion before and people believed them to be true, instead of the satire that they are. Just a little FYI for those folks.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, video

New York reports decline in AIDS deaths; despite increased infection rates:
Deaths in New York City from HIV/AIDS fell by nearly 15 percent in 2006 the city health department said Wednesday.

AIDS deaths dropped from 1,419 in 2005 to 1,209 in 2006. The decline was reflected in both sexes and all ethnic groups.

"Numbers this low have not been seen since 1984, when New York City recorded 952 deaths from AIDS," the health department report said.

Circumventing Process, Vermont's Anti-Gay Groups Form Group to Block Gay Marriage:
Conservative anti-gay groups have been avoiding all legislative hearings regarding civil unions vs. marriage stating that the legislature is "pro-gay".

Conservative groups that boycotted legislative hearings on a proposed gay marriage bill in Vermont accusing it of being pro-gay announced Tuesday they have set up their own commission to "set the record straight".

The groups, which include Vermont Renewal an organization that for most of its history has fought all LGBT legislation in the state, held a news conference at the State House to announce the establishment of commission.

Spokesperson Stephen Cable said the commission will hold public hearings throughout the state. The first "Marriage Matters" forum will be held January 19th at the University of Vermont.

The commission also will open a Web site "to educate people" about the dangers of same-sex marriage, especially to children whose interests he said have been overlooked to date.

To save you from having to go to their website to learn about the 'dangers of same-sex marriage', here are three of them.
1.) Families will legally be able to take care of one another in times of crisis.
2.) Couples will legally be automatically able to leave their estate to their partner.
3.) Spouses will automatically be able to share a cemetery plot.

HORRIFIC I KNOW!

Clinton Wins New Hampshire:
Surprising to most who know me, but I have yet to pick my presidential favorite. I was very pleased when Obama won Iowa and also pleased to see Hilary come out on top in NH.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, new hampshire, new york, vermont

All three major news networks have called the race. Obama for the D's and Huckabee for the R's. Very scary that Republicans would actually want more of the same from party leaders. I'll say it again. Very scary.

A tidbit of history for you. Mike Huckabee once advocated isolating AIDS patients from the general public, opposed increased federal funding in the search for a cure and said homosexuality could "pose a dangerous public health risk."

As a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in 1992, Huckabee answered 229 questions submitted to him by The Associated Press. Besides a quarantine, Huckabee suggested that Hollywood celebrities fund AIDS research from their own pockets, rather than federal health agencies.

And this is who the Republicans want in office?

Compare Mike Huckabee's following stances on issues to that of George W. Bush:

"My faith is my life - it defines me. My faith doesn't influence my decisions, it drives them. For example, when it comes to the environment, I believe in being a good steward of the earth. I don't separate my faith from my personal and professional lives."

CHECK.

"I support and have always supported passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. My convictions regarding the sanctity of life have always been clear and consistent, without equivocation or wavering. I believe that Roe v. Wade should be over-turned."

CHECK.

"I support and have always supported passage of a federal constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. As President, I will fight for passage of this amendment. My personal belief is that marriage is between one man and one woman, for life."

ALSO: "As Governor of Arkansas, I led the successful effort to pass a similar state constitutional amendment in 2002."

CHECK.

"I believe that we are currently engaged in a world war. Radical Islamic fascists have declared war on our country and our way of life. They have sworn to annihilate each of us who believe in a free society, all in the name of a perversion of religion and an impersonal god. We go to great extremes to save lives, they go to great extremes to take them. This war is not a conventional war, and these terrorists are not a conventional enemy. I will fight the war on terror with the intensity and single-mindedness that it deserves."

CHECK.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, federal

Watch it here.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election

And are very out of step with the majority of America when it comes to Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Need proof? Watch this back-assward attempts at answering questions regarding DADT. Fucking disgusting and so disrespectful towards a man who served our country for 42 years in the armed forces. Via the YouTube debates.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, DADT, dickheads, republican

Two weeks ago on August 9th, LOGO hosted their forum for the Democratic presidential candidates. One by one, each candidate was interviewed by a panel made up of two journalists, Jonathan Capehart and Margaret Carlson; President of the Human Rights Campaign, Joe Solmonese; and musician and singer, Melissa Etheridge.

Six Democratic presidential candidates were in attendance, including Obama, Clinton, and Edwards, as well as Bill Richardson, who slipped up considerably on a question from Etheridge:

"Do you think homosexuality is a choice or is it biological?"

Richardson's reply: "It's a choice, it's..."

Etheridge: "I don't know if you understand the question. Do you think...... a homosexual is born that way, or do you think that around 7th grade we go "oh I want to be gay" ?

Richardson: "You know, uh, I'm not a scientist...."




Anyone with a basic understanding of gay rights should have immediately seen that Richardson had said something he shouldn't have. His answer rightly brought stirs, whispering, and maybe a few odd laughs from the audience as Etheridge appeared very taken aback and gave him a chance to hear the question again to make sure he wasn't confused. He wasn't.

The idea that a person chooses to be homosexual is truly reprehensible. It is offensive to the gay community as a whole to say that we have chosen to be gay because that implies that we could choose to be heterosexual at any time. Following this line of thought, you find the argument that gays shouldn't have equal rights because gay is not something inherent like race or sex, not to mention ridiculous things like Exodus International.

The most perplexing thing about Richardson's answer is his voting record. Like his staff points out in his "Statement Clarifying Answer From HRC Forum" Richardson has supported a slew of very important, powerful pieces of legislation in his home state of New Mexico.

From the press release:

Governor Bill Richardson has an accomplished record fighting for the rights of all Americans. Since taking office, Governor Richardson has:

1. Expanded anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation. [Senate Bill SB 28, 2003 Legislature]
   
2. Signed into law the state's first hate crimes legislation for acts including those based on sexual orientation. [SB 38, 2003 Legislature]
   
3. Provided state health insurance for domestic partnerships. [Executive Order 03 010]
   
4. Signed the Billy Griego HIV and AIDS Act, which was designed to ensure that consumers are the focus of the funding and services provided in all the state's HIV and AIDS cases. [Senate Bill 314, 2005 Legislature]
   
5. Created the state's first HIV and AIDS Policy Commission charged with reviewing and making recommendations on state HIV and AIDS policies. The commission also studies and makes recommendations on all factors affecting the availability, quality and accessibility of health services for persons with HIV and AIDS. [Senate Bill 313, 2005 Legislature]
   
6. Called a Special Session of the NM State Legislature to push for Domestic Partnerships Legislation, among other issues, after it failed by one vote in the Senate during the Regular Session. Governor Richardson has pledged to push for the legislation again during the next Legislative Session.
   

Obviously he supports a large number of gay rights issues and should be commended. But there still seems to be a disconnect. Despite a rephrasing of his answer and a press release, it still remains unclear how he feels about that very simple question that Etheridge posed.

Logo has made the entire forum available online, organized by both issue and candidate.

Posted by Zac James

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, celebrity, television

Just a reminder that LOGO is hosting a 2008 presidential debate tonight at 6pm PST and it is ALL about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. No Republican candidates agreed to come (big surprise). You don't have to have LOGO to watch it! You can watch it on their website! If you miss it, we will hopefully have clips up tomorrow.

For more info on this event by LOGO and HRC click here.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election

Not that this is a new thing for candidates to do. I remember back in 2004 the candidates had an LGBT outreach as well. Anyway, here is Obama's.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, gay rights

Labels: 2008 elections, 2008 Presidential Election, debate, democrat, video

This comes after calling John Edwards a "faggot". For a refresher on that story. Click here.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, ann coulter, anti gay, bitch

In a new report released by the Human Rights Campaign, all the Dem's show strong support of basic fairness for the GLBT community, values very much in line with the majority of US citizens.

WHERE THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES STAND:
Federal Recognition of State-Level Same-Sex Unions:Supports recognition by the federal government of a state's legal recognition of same-sex couples for purposes of federal benefits and tax treatment

Support: Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Kucinich, Obama, Richardson
Oppose: None

ENDA: Supports passage of a federal bill prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
Support: Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Kucinich, Obama, Richardson
Oppose: None

Hate Crimes:Supports passage of a federal bill that gives authority to the federal government to investigate and prosecute violent crimes motivated by bias against the victim because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability
Support: Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Kucinich, Obama, Richardson
Oppose: None

Civil Unions: Supports civil unions for same-sex couples
Support: Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Kucinich, Obama, Richardson
Oppose: None

Read the entire report card here (lots, lots more). It is very interesting and quite promising. I believe that it truly does reflect the changing fairer values of the United States.

Now the questions remains... who will be your candidate?

Labels: 2008 elections, 2008 Presidential Election