More on this issue in a few moments....but as a teaser-this is much to do about nothing. And if you haven't guessed-Obama is a politician after all. Talk amongst yourselves and a synopsis and customary editorial is forthcoming.
Meanwhile, check a snippet from the Washington Post concerning this latest controversy:
COLUMBIA, S.C.--Aides to Barack Obama who are concerned about his fortunes nationally cast his decision not to kick Donnie McClurkin off the program of a gospel concert the campaign was hosting as a principled decision, part of the Illinois senator's constant rhetoric of bringing people together even if they disagree. But in South Carolina it was perhaps important to keep him on the bill for a more obvious consideration: despite the singer's controversial comments in the past about homosexuality, which he has likened to a "curse" and said is a choice, he would be a big draw.
When people stopped by Obama's Columbia office over the last few days to ask about tickets, they specifically checked to make sure McClurkin was still coming.
In Columbia last night, a crowd of more than 3,000 in a packed auditorium cheered and clapped during speeches from Obama aides and taped videos of the Senator and his wife, neither of whom attended, but leaped up for applause and cell phone pictures when McClurkin was introduced. A gay South Carolina pastor, Andy Sidden, gave the prayer that opened the event, a compromise the Obama campaign put together after McClurkin's appearance was attacked by gay rights activists. Sidden's prayer noted the importance of people of all races, backgrounds and sexual orientations coming together.
But McClurkin, who won a Grammy in 2004 for his gospel music and is also the pastor of an evangelical church in New York, quickly became the star of the night, which was the conclusion of three gospel concerts the campaign held around the state. McClurkin essentially acted as the emcee of the event, introducing the other gospel artists who performed, and then took the stage for the last hour. In between sermonizing, singing, and raving about Obama, McClurkin repeatedly defended himself.
"I just said yes," he said of his invitation by the Obama campaign. "I didn't know so much was going to happen. I didn't know my yes was going to mean I was misunderstood and vilified. .. . Sometimes people can take your words and do this with them," he said, making a twisting motion with his hands as the crowd shouted Amens and cheered for him.
OK-and now for my synopsis/editorial. As I have mentioned previously (not to necessarily overstate the obvious) there are gradations or subdivisions among political persuasions. I would describe myself as a moderate conservative, definitely not cut from the same cloth as the evangelical strain of the Republican Party that has literally hijacked the land of the elephants. But it does appear that in order for a politician to have a chance he or she must at least talk with (if not show some allegiance) to the Christian right. This has been most evident in the case of famed evangelist, Billy Graham. Graham had a personal audience with everyone from Harry Truman to Bush II and left up to the fates whoever succeeds Bush.
But to Graham's credit he never aligned himself with the more shadowy elements of Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority. The kicker with the Obama factor is that his campaign has often stressed that he is an outsider and not part of typical political party machine. But Obama's need to align himself with singer/evangelist/ex-gay Donnie McClurkin proves that not only is he a politician but also once again he has to appeal to religious zealots-who forget that a core tenet of US governance is the alleged separation of Church and State. Bush and the evangelical segment of the right have forgotten that particular email.
In this instance, I must defend Obama (hey I can defend a brother on the left on occasion-don't faint)-why should he carry the weight of criticism for aligning himself with McClurkin when just about everyone on the left and right must appeal to an entire constituency of Christians (irrespective of color or denomination) that also do not support gay culture. Am I wrong on this? Again, let's hear from our readers. How I long for the days of reason and secularism. If those two precepts ever existed.
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