“[Human Rights Campaigns’ leaders] made contributions to their favorite candidates during the primary race, and as expected by many independent gay pundits, the top recipient of their contributions was the other HRC, Senator Clinton. The presumptive Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, received nothing from the HRC leaders.” Human Rights Campaign endorsed Obama last week. [Petrelis Files]
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badlydrawnbear
Just another example of how useless the Human Rights Campaign has been at securing another for the GLBT community.
But hey, they throw the equivalent of gay prom every year so keep on sending your money so you can attend that annual party which seems to be there only reason to exist.
forreal?
Im so sick of people bashing HRC, good lord the other HRC would have been a lot better for the LGBT community they hedged their bet and the other one won..come on give them a break…
Charley
They were eyeing a position in the cabinet or some other promotion with President Hillary. Too bad. Obama is stuck with that dumb gay campaign manager,Steve Hillenbrand, a hick from South Dakota, who asked Donny McClurkin to sing, and said “gay lifestyle” on the conference call the other day. HRC’s Joe has been around the beltway block, and would make a much better choice for Obama.
Charley
Sorry, I meant dumb ass, not dumb.
Alex
This was about their PERSONAL contributions, dummies, not about contributions from the organization. To avoid pissing off half of their membership they did not make an endorsement until the contest was over. Do you expect people who care about politics not to get involved personally ?
If you would take half a moment to understand what the organization does, you would realize that the dinners are low efficiency fundraisers, not a net expense. The real bucks go to lobbying and fighting against organizations like Focus on the Family. Would you prefer to have only Focus on the Family lobbyists talking to your Congressman ? Yeah, its a busted system – but as long as their side is doing it we better have equal numbers….and by the way there is far more money and organization on the other side.
Alex
Just to clarify – if you look at the financials in detail, you will see that the dinners and mailings cost a lot for the money they bring in. The really efficient fundraising comes from large contributions. Unfortunately there are only so many gay millionaires…and you need numbers too to sway Congress. Hence the need for both.
Go take a tour sometime and see how the money is being spent. It’s quite instructive. All the relevant bills going through Congress are being tracked, key legislators being lobbied. The real successes so far have been stopping the negative bills like constitutional amendments. Postive bills will take changing the presidency and the getting more margin in the House and Senate.
Midtowner
Thanks Alex!!! Great Post!
badlydrawnbear
Alex, I call bullshit!
The HRC has never passed a single piece of legislation. In one of this springs primaries they backed a non gay candidate against an openly gay candidate and if you think it’s going to take a change in administrations to pass some legislation go to IL and talk to Equality Illinois (the most successful GLBT organization in the country) and see how they pass legislation under a Republican Gov and Republican controlled state General Assembly.
I will give HRC a donation when they start backing openly gay candidates and getting legislation out of committee. Until then they can kiss my hairy bear ass.
badlydrawnbear
oh you can read about the HRC sticking it to the openly gay NC candidate here …
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/28/201430/681
allstarecho
I give to Lambda Legal, thanks. Screw HRC.
badlydrawnbear
and let’s remember this isn’t that they gave more to Clinton (Mrs. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and Defense of Marriage Act) Vs. Obama it’s they gave NOTHING to Obama even though he clearly had the nomination wrapped up months ago after winning 11 primaries in a row.
The Human Rights Campaign is a freaking waste they have achieved nothing at the national level and even less at the State and Local level.
brian
I think they’ve achieved something: STICKERS!
M Shane
When they called me, they got an earfull and no money. If they ever figure out what a gay agenda is and become principled, they my get something but negative attention.
The kind of games they play are way beneith an activist organization.
They mostly need replacement. ASAP.
lyssa
One word: ENDA