Mike Gravel may not be a front runner for the democratic presidential nomination, but he's sure as hell the most outspoken of the candidates. Could it be his opinionated ways that led HRC to snub him for their gay debates?
Gravel certainly thinks so:
…I think the real reason why HRC didn't invite me is that I'm too vocal in my advocacy of gay rights. None of the top tier candidates would have been comfortable facing an opponent who consistently points out their refusal to embrace true equality for gays and lesbians. HRC simply bowed to the star factor. It's just a shame that this travesty was perpetrated in the name of the LGBT community.
It is a shame, Gravel, but hardly surprising.
HRC's made a name for itself by kissing high profile ass for press and throwing undesirables - anyone who isn't white, rich and nominally recognizable - to the curb.
Gravel goes on to insist that he's still going to fight the good fight for gay rights, with or without HRC. Of course, it may not be too late to get Gravel on stage with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Readers can always make donations to Gravel in the hopes that HRC will change its classist ways. Maximum donation is $2300.
HRC, meanwhile justified their actions by saying they were forced to make tough decision in the name of "productivity":
Knowing this event is the only forum that will be devoted solely to questions about GLBT issues, we put a lot of thought into how we can maximize the response time from the candidates who could win their party's nomination. We really want to do the best thing for the community and make this forum as productive as possible.
That's why Melissa Ethridge will be moderating - she a political whiz. And Joe Solmonese - really productive. What was HRC's last win, again?
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How funny. I was just telling my bf the other day that this debate was going to be a joke. What the fuck are Hiliary and Obama going to say if they're asked about gay marriage? I know they have to fear the wrath of god (lower case intentionally), but who is going to bother voting for the lesser of two evils???? We're fucked either way:(
Anything is better than than what we have now. Can't get any more fucked than GWB.
The arrogance of HRC's response is posted below:
Dear Allan,
We appreciate you contacting us regarding the presidential candidate forum sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and LOGO TV. We understand you are concerned that not all Democratic candidates were invited to participate in this year’s forum. In planning the forum, we wanted the GLBT community to have maximum exposure to the most viable presidential candidates. Unfortunately, the air time allowed for the forum is limited, thus requiring us to formulate criteria for how to select participants. We wanted voters to have the ability to evaluate candidates who have a higher chance of securing the Democratic nomination.
In our experience, one of the measures of public support and ability for a candidate to launch a viable campaign is through fundraising. Based on the most recent candidate filings submitted to the Federal Election Commission, Mike Gravel had raised only $35,000. The next lowest candidate was almost ten times that amount or $350,000.
We made the judgment call that if the public was so interested in Mr. Gravel’s candidacy, we would have seen more financial support. It is also unclear to us as to how a candidate with extremely limited financial means can maintain an effective campaign given the accelerated primary schedule for the 2008 campaign. As a result of this information, we did not extend an invitation to Mr. Gravel. This decision is in no way a reflection on Mr. Gravel’s position on GLBT issues or any other of Mr. Gravel’s attributes. Rather, we felt we needed to make best use of the limited air time available on LOGO.
Nonetheless, we are excited the announcement of the forum is engaging the public in the presidential process. We also encourage you to be active in the 2008 campaign season. Thank you for reaching out to us, we value and respect your opinion even if it was to express disagreement.
Respectfully,
Dana L. Campbell
Dana L. Campbell
Member Services Assistant
Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.216.1500 (p)
202.216.1505 (f
That is so weird, because I just "discovered" Mr. Gravel via AirAmerica last week. he seemed very interesting, and I was thinking of sending some money his way. My interest in him arose because of his opinions on gay marriage and Iraq. It is unfortunate that HRC has come to this bad decision to leave Mr Gravel uninvited.
NRC claims that if the public were interested in Gravel he would have more money. Are they naive, stupid or full of shit? Candidates get more money by making promises to defense contractors, HMOs and Big Pharma. Public interest has nothing to do with how much a candidate collects.
The HRC has never been concerned with the queer community as a whole. All they care about is pandering to wealthy donors, especially wealthy Republican donors.
I'm not a fan of the HRC, but I think they are on solid footing here. They host the debate, and they get to establish the parameters. There are 18 candidates! I don't want to listen to them all. I want to listen to the contenders. Setting an early 100G for a presidential race is not an outlandish minimum. I think it would be far more unprofessional if they set the parameters & then made an exception for Gavel because he likes us.
Meanwhile, if you have the stomach for it … here's what assholes are saying about the debate: http://www.freerepublic.com/fo.....4593/posts
Cynical as I am, I'm glad that Obama, Clinton, Dodd, and Edwards will be there. Watching and sweating every move, and keeping their statements as vanilla as possible, I'm sure. Still, even if nothing substantial is said, it's a few more inches of progress for us.
No, no, Gravel… not the judgment of the gay community, but the judgment of HRC. I don't remember saying they represented me and my interests. I don't recall getting a letter or anything saying… anything. And when I DO hear something from HRC, they want money.
Stonerboy..you said it perfectly…..Obama and Shillary don't support us and both don't deserve a nickel of support nor my vote. Obama says his religion is such that he finds homosexuality immoral and opposes same sex marriage. Shillary Clinton and Bill Clinton screwed us over on the two biggest issues (Don't Ask Don't Tell and DOMA) and if Hillary wanted to do anything to end Don't Ask Don't Tell she could have sponsored legislation to do so…she sits on the Senate Armed Services Committte…Obama could have done the same thing.
they are both phoneys and frauds…
at least I know what I get with GWB..nothing…with Hillary and Obama empty words that are worth less then nothing..
it is sad when an 77 year old man like Mike Gravel gets it..equal rights is equal rights, but Obama (a biracial man) and Shillary Clinton ( a woman) don't. get it….that says it all..
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