Second Presidential Debate Watch Party, 10-16-12

Via Facebook:

Second Presidential Debate Watch Party

Please join City Councilman Bill Peduto and Democratic Nominee for State Representative, Ed Gainey, for a debate watch party for the second of three presidential debates. We will be taking over AVA Lounge in East Liberty for the night, so come join us and bring some friends.

Tuesday, October 16th
8:30 PM to 11:00 PM
AVA Lounge
126 S. Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Cash Bar

RSVP HERE!

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The PG on Obama and Women

The PG runs a piece written from WOMEN-omics about the "female factor" in the Obama Presidency. Apparently, he is doing a good job using traditional female leadership skills himself, but not such a good job in elevating women to leadership positions.

Five, in fact, out of 22 Cabinet positions have been filled with women.

Thank you, America!

Meme: So What Were You Writing About the Federal Election in 2004?

Every once in a while, I get a sense of "deja vu all over again" about the presidential election. So, I went back and read my November, 2004 blog entries (if you want to read them, remember, jump to the bottom of the file and work your way up).

Hmm, I was overconfident (briefly), but not so much that I didn't work on the campaign or vote.

The post-election analysis was interesting. Fewer people voted than Democrats counted on and the youth voting rate was no higher in 2004 than it had been in 2000. I sincerely hope both of those things will turn out differently this time.

So, here's an informal meme for you - if you wrote about the 2004 election online, link to it from your blog or LiveJournal or however you write on the Internet. What were you thinking then? What do you think now? What do you think will be different this time?

Hope to see some of you at the Obama rally in Pittsburgh later today!

Rally with Michelle Obama this Thursday! UPDATED!

Thursday, October 16th, 2008
Michelle Obama Rally


Rally at noon, doors open at 11:00 10:30 a.m.

Fitzgerald Field House
Allequippa Street & Darragh Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial
4141 5th Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213


UPDATE: (It's official now, folks!)
Michelle Obama Hosts Change We Need Rally in Pittsburgh

This event is free and open to the public.
Tickets are NOT required but an RSVP is strongly encouraged.
To RSVP, please visit www.PA.BarackObama.com/PittsburghChange
Space is available on a first come first serve basis.

For security reasons, do not bring bags and please limit personal items.
No signs or banners permitted.



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I'm voting for Hillary

(partially crossposted from Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents. For the juicy parts, click here.)

Today, I made up my mind that I am supporting and voting for Hillary Clinton. I'm sure no one is surprised. I've made a good faith effort to get excited about Barack Obama. I wanted to be a believer. But it just didn't happen. The preacher in him turns me off.

Here's what it comes down to for me. On "the issues," they are pretty close. By that I mean, their stances on ENDA, DADT, civil unions, marriage, etc. On paper, they "appear" very similar.
In action, they are nothing alike. Barack Obama has refused to interview with local gay media anywhere. Period. He gave one interview to the national gay magazine, The Advocate. How can one national interview, late in the primary season, build a relationship with the gay community? He made a speech imploring the African-American religious community to embrace gay civil rights. This after he brought notorious "ex-gay" Donnie McClurkin on board his swing through the south gospel tour or whatever it was called. He clearly has no problem affiliating with a movement that denounces homosexuality as something to be cured, a stance that taps right into the self-loathing so rampant among closeted minorities and youth. He talks like a preacher and walks like a well, like many preachers who disparage gay people.

Hillary Clinton marches in Pride parades. Her daughter visits gay bars. She worked to stop the national "marriage protection" amendment. She lifts up the gay people in her life, particularly those who touched her family personally. Hillary grants interviews to local gay media. She reaches out with intent to build relationships with our community. She has a LGBT steering committee in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

This is not about one issue. My life is not a single issue. When our next President is working on health care, economic issues, environmental issues and so forth, I want her to be cognizant of all citizens and the impact her decisions will have on our families, including my little lesbian family.
If Obama ignores us as a constituency when he's fighting for the nomination, why should we believe he would care about us if he's nominated and elected?

This primary race has come down to the fact that one of them has to go. His name is John McCain and I believe that Hillary Clinton is the one to do it.

Last thoughts ....

DR: Pennsylvania primary -- economy, economy, economy. People don't know who to listen to. That could be Obama's opening.

*********************************************************************
Oh, how I admire Heather Arnet. She was prepared and she kept using the language of reconciliation to connect herself with Ricky Burgess. She was issue oriented and had her facts. Reverend Burgess seemed more focused on a higher level of debate and made not a single statement expressing reconciliation with HRC.

We needed an hour for this discussion. I wanted to hear Reverend Burgess talk in more detail about issues. I wanted them both to follow up on Roddy's comment about the economy. Ah well ...

KDKA: Round 2

After 8 minutes, I'm more in HRC's camp.

Before debate resumes, a bit of Jon Delano's interview with Hillary. I think I saw this on the news. She defines Pittsburgh as resiliant, as evolving, as worthy of admiration. Is Pennsylvania friendly to female candidates? She deftly avoids criticizing us on this issue. Democrats can't win the White House without Pennsylvania. JD -- Obama claims he had more foreign policy experience than Bill when he assumed office. HRC - I wonder what evidence supports that audacious claim. I'm proud of my record. HRC - Endorsements are votes of confidence. Reminds us that her work on CHIP (sChip) covers 140,00 PA children. Sidesteps issue of race and Rendell's campaign.

Back to the chat,

KR; The mathematics favor Obama. Impossible for Clinton to win conventionally.

HA: Come June, we'll see that Clinton has won every essential state so as a party that's something to consider. This will matter in the General Election. (This was taped on Friday).

RB: Everbody has a right to run for elected office. Obama will have the most pledge delegates and probably the largest popular voice. It is important for us to do what is fair and right. Obama has won this campaign. For specialized delegates or states to determine the nominee would be unfortunate. Because he earned it and because it will send a global signal.

HA: I agree, disenfranchising millions of voters is not just.

DR: This isn't a popular election. Are superdelegates supposed to mirror the popular voters or represent the party's interest.

RB: We have a history where the elite make decisions for everyone. This has to be a transparent obvious decision. They have to follow the will of the people. Anything that would turn this election to a few elite people to make a choice based on self-interest and ignore the masses Obama who has brought in for the first time, will take us back to racial divide and gender exclusion. It is dark and sinister.

HA: Superdelegates are complicated. They are often elected officials. In Burgess' scenario, Senator Kennedy should support Hillary because his state voted for her. Senator Kennedy is supporting Obama. There are many superdelegates on both sides who aren't following the will of the people who voted for them. Superdelegates are supposed to help determine how the party will fare in the general election.

Last commercial break ...

Heather Arnet and Ricky Burgess on KDKA

I'm watching KDKA's debate with Heather Arnet and Ricky Burgess. Dennis Roddy is along for the ride. Everything is paraphrased.

KR: Switch the positions and candidates, will you support them? Is this about identity politics.

HA: This challenges us to separate individuals out from their experiences, which is difficult to do. The question is a little unfair because their expeirences make them who they are.

RB: Obama has been steadfastly against the war. Obama's identity is powerful and is part of the reason he can unite the country. His campaign focuses on the promise of the future. Draws comparisons between his own campaign and Obama's. National political scene is polarization and we need a fresh figure.

DR: A story beats a resume. They are fighting more about their similarities. Do we measure them solely by narrative.

HA: I disagree. National healthcare is a critical issue that has mainstream support, including businesses. This is an issue she's been championing for decades. Voters are interested in the policy differences, which are not subtle. Both want better healthcare, but national healthcare for everyone is the only way to address it. That is a significant difference based on issues.

DR: The issue seems largely the same.

HA: It is significant, because the non optional part will hurt the most vulnerable.

RB: Healthcare is not he most important part of the debate. Nation is fractured. We need a figure of reconciliation. Importance of symbolism of the American Dream (I hate that analogy). We can't focus on individualistic issues or we'll miss a chance to elect a great leader. (huh?)
Talks about economic differences in a way that's unifying, not dividing (Isn't that what providing healthcare for everyone, regardless of income, is?)