Back in August, and by way of Dustin Lance Black, we learned National Equality March organizer Cleve Jones was “in contact with the White House” about getting President Obama to stay in D.C. for the October 11 event. Whether Jones & Co. had actually extended an invitation to 1600 Pennsylvania is anyone’s guess, but he just penned an open letter to Obama inviting him to the event. Nevermind that Jones “compare[s] our National Equality March with the Civil Rights March of 1963” (sure to create plenty of “dialogue” between the gay and black communities), but boy, what a fruitless effort. Don’t you know Mr. Obama is scheduled to play golf that weekend?
“We do not expect to achieve our goal overnight,” writes Jones. “Our struggle for equality has taken many years, and much hard work remains ahead. The nation is preoccupied with economic hardship and war. But you have given us hope that civil rights remain on this nation’s agenda. The time is right for us to call on our fellow Americans, our elected leaders, and you to reaffirm our shared commitment to civil rights. With hope in our hearts, we invite you to join us on the west lawn of the Capitol on October 11th. We ask you to take the microphone and renew our faith that Washington will work with us, and not against us. We urge you to remind the world that we are welcome members of this nation. We invite you to stand with us in pride.”
In all likelihood, he won’t.
Obama, as happens with presidents every other year, was invited to the bi-annual Presidents Cup Golf tournament in San Francisco. Presidents, sitting and former, go to these things like clockwork. And any ounce of planning this march would have revealed this custom was on the books for the Oct. 11 weekend.
So when Obama doesn’t show up? It’s not that he doesn’t love you gays. It’s just that he had a prior engagement on the links, and NEM organizers are just figuring that out.
mark Segal
As you point out so clearly, another misstep by the organizers.
Andrew
I suppose the first thing you check before scheduling an event is a CALENDAR. I guess Cleve just figured everybody would drop everything just to be with him. This is the problem with “self-appointed” and “ego-tripping” leaders – no substance.
Somebody please take away his “leader” card. Oh, grab the “organizer” card while you’re at it.
In the future, if somebody totally fu*ks something up – they will have “Cleve’d it.”
InExile
Even if he was in town he would not attend a “gay” event. He started running from us during the primary and has never stopped. He received his votes and money so he is done with us.
Joel
By their own admission, march organizers did not start approaching Members of Congress until appx. 30 days out from this event, which is amateurish at best, and they’re just now approaching the administration. God knows what their schedule for inviting others may be, incl. cabinet officers, executive directors of major allied interest orgs, governors, supportive mayors, leading allied religious figures, and the like.
Josh
Can’t you just hear Cleve saying “somebody give me Obama’s cell number, come on – quick, I have an idea.” Ugh.
I am in Philadelphia and i don’t know of a single person going to DC to March. We just laugh about it.
wondermann
I disagree with InExile, however Cleve should have planned this better. Congress is out, money issues has hit everybody, and the they can’t really promote a political cause due to tax laws.
Maybe this should have been in the Spring, right before we vote on a new congress
Josh
March? What March????
Andrew
People in dallas are planning a March in March. They are headed to the White House to let the president know they’re “angry.”
He knows.
justin
Idiots. Total idiots.