I have to admit, I was thisclose to endorsing Barack Obama for president until finding out he'd invited Donnie McClurkin to his tour. Speaking as an African-American, I happen to know that homophobia runs deep in our community. How in the world more of us haven't made common cause with gays befuddles me.
Yesterday, I said that Obama would have to "step up" if he was to get himself out of this--and win me back. Well, wouldn't you know--he did.
Senator Barack Obama is trying to tamp down a growing uproar over his plans to include a controversial gospel singer at a campaign concert this weekend in South Carolina and says he will feature an openly gay minister before the concert.
According to the AP, said openly gay minister is Andy Sidden, a South Carolina pastor. Now that takes cojones--not many candidates I know of have the guts to invite an openly gay personality to an event. That tells me one thing--this guy has what it takes to be president.
It's one thing to be supportive of gay rights. But it takes another to go the extra mile and say, "Not only do I support you, I want you to come along on my campaign." As far as I know, no presidential candidate has gone that far.
The way I'm reading this story, Obama must have told McClurkin, "Rev. Sidden is coming--take it or leave it." For awhile, I'd been wondering what Obama was thinking when he extended this inivitation to McClurkin. But to not only invite Sidden, but to admit that he hadn't done enough due dilligence (as opposed to stonewalling) only makes me respect him even more. Somehow, I doubt Hillary would have been this open about making a mistake.
I have to admit, I'm an unrepentant Clintonite, and I found myself on the fence between Hillary and Obama. But this gesture seals it--Barack, I'm on your team.
(cross-posted at The Christian Dem Home Journal)