Outgoing HRC president Joe Solmonese has been named a national co-chair for Barack Obama‘s re-election campaign, reports the Miami Herald.
Solmnese’s fellow co-chairs include Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, Wisconsin ex-Senator Russ Feingold, Democratic scion Caroline Kennedy and (srsly) actress/philanthropist Eva Longoria.
Obama’s reelection campaign sent details in a press release earlier today:
Obama for America announced today the campaign’s National Co-Chairs, a diverse group of leaders from around the country committed to re-electing President Obama. They will serve as ambassadors for the President, advise the campaign on key issues, and help engage and mobilize voters in all 50 states.
“The President’s National Co-Chairs will be tremendous assets on the ground as we build the biggest grassroots campaign in history,” said Jim Messina, Obama for America Campaign Manager. “They each share the President’s vision for a future where every American can have a fair shot at success, where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded.”
Solmonese will be stepping down as HRC prez on March 31, which will create less of a conflict of interest between that position and the co-chair appointment. But for right now, how can HRC be expected to criticize the White House for its glacial “evolution” on gay-rights issues when its president is already in the back pocket of America’s president?
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Photo via HRC
QJ201
Joe has been licking Obama’s boots for 3 years, so makes sense. However, will NOT help drum up the gay vote given how widely despised he is by many gay folks.
christopher di spirito
Joe-boy has his nose so far up Obama’s rectum that I’m surprised he can breath.
Ted B. (Charging Rhino)
It’s being Pres. of the HRC and being an Obama Re-election chair one-in-the-same anyway?
rf7777
As long as he is no longer “helping” the GLBT movement, I couldn’t care less what he does.
I am sure he will be very effective in the campaign… (sarcastic eyeroll)
Michael Bedwell
I already read this in HRC’s newsletter: “The Daily Analingus.”
WillBFair
You’re kidding. The social climber got a promotion? I did not see that coming.
the crustybastard
Reach-Around ACHIEVED.
Aaron
I stopped donating to HRC 3.5 years and have only given money to grassroots orgs. Grassroots have power. HRC does zilch!
Gregoire
Not the wisest move on Obama’s part.
Pitou
Obama thinks this will help gain LGBT votes?? He OBVIOUSLY hasn’t had any single member of his staff poll ANY GLBT person. Joey-baby is quite possibly the worst thing to happen to the LGBT rights movement and this will only isolate the Gays from Obamas possible second term. Bad move Mr. Prez. BAD MOVE!
ousslander
I thought he already worked for the white house
Sweetbrandigirl2004
Joe sucitonyourknees is a loser ! and if he’s promised Obama the gay vote he lied, while we have no other option but to vote for Obama as he’s more on our side then the GOP. Our turn out won’t be because of anything JOE did or contributed.
Cam
Payback. Remember, he wrote that memo that told gays they shouldn’t criticize Obama and just sit back and shut up for 8 years. Thank Goodness the Grass Roots told him to F-off and pressured Congress because if Joe had his way DADT would have been around for the next 10 years and he would have given the Democrats cover to put DOMA in the DNC’s plank.
wc1
Thank gods he’s gone.
Hopefully the new president of the HRC can bring back some creditability to the organization.
Kyle412
Eva Longoria has more power with the gays than Joe does. Geesh!
All politicians are sleazy
He’s covering all his bases, isn’t he? And honestly, is Longoria the best he could do to get the Latino vote? I mean, come on! I happen to know Gloria Estefan owes Obama a solid, and she’s an influential, powerhouse heavyweight in every way a person can be.
matt
Hey Joe Solmonese and Obama make a perfect pair. They’re both great at squandering away millions of dollars, being weak and ineffective, and accomplishing basically nothing.
Cam
Is anything more ridiculous than his sad attempt at a Zoolander “Blue Steel” pose in that picture?
He actually thinks he’s “That Guy”. Then, I guess, that taking hundreds of thousands of dollars to help the gay community, when in reality he was selling us out must have made him feel quite clever.
michael
Obama can reward Joe for his bad behaviour and throwing us under the bus but Joe and Obama are crazy if they think I will.
jeff4justice
I’ll likely vote for an alternative party Green or Libertarian party candidate instead of supporting indefinite-detention enacting, Monsanto-appointing, drug war nut, warmongering Obama.
Regarding HRC, I see no point in donating to an organization that has never stepped foot in my hometown and pays an executive director a 6-figure salary which is counter-incentive to expediently attaining equality.