Okay, so I must've written at least 5 draft diaries lambasting kossacks for attacking Obama over Rick Warren. Let me explain my position, I am both gay and a conservative Democrat, so 9 times out of ten I am torn. Concerning Rick Warren however, I was all for it, and still am, but now from a different perspective.
Originally, I was for Rick Warren's booking for the invocation for many reasons, chief among those:
- It rewards Evangelicals who defy the Republican Party. This move was not meant to appease hardcore social conservatives, some even see Warren as a sell out, rather this was to legitimize a now growing faction of the Evangelical base that does not see James Dobson as their leader.
- It reinforces Obama's message of unity, and yes, change. Under his administration all voices will be heard, how refreshing is that? You will then say, "Well, if we allow homophobes, why not racists? etc.", well attitudes are changing, but the reality is a large bloc of Americans are not supportive of equal marriage, and to shut them out of the process leads us down the same polarizing path that Bush took. We will not win every battle, period, but we need to rise above their level.
- Warren and Obama have a personal relationship. When Warren invited Obama to speak at the Saddleback ranch, he received widespread condemnation from socons. However, Barack notes that this forum was the event that led him to believe he could be president, and thus launched his historic campaign, so this is his thank you.
However, with the lieberman-esque outcries from my fellow kossacks, I have come to conclude that Warren's invocation is still a good idea!
Here's why:
- Warren, will still speak. Thus, Obama can say he took on a bloc of his party and won. He gets added capital from moderate Republicans in Congress that he will need to push major legislation, and moderate Republican voters who are giving our guy another look, mandate anyone?
- After all is said and done, this invocation will be forgotten. Hello??? Are we not forgetting Obama's eloquence? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Obama might slightly outstage Rick Warren, maybe even Aretha. Nobody is going to remember anything from this inauguration outside of what likely will be Obama's best speech ever.
- That being said, Obama is "on notice" from the GLBT community. This allows the GLBT community to say loud and clear, "Don't neglect us and don't fuck with us", ensuring that Obama does in fact owe the GLBT community.
I say this is a win-win because on the face of it Obama maintains his balanced image; the GLBT community becomes a force, in which Obama now must follow up on his "fierce support to LGBT rights"; and when all is said and done aside from the aesthetics of the inauguration ceremony, the LGBT community really doesn't lose anything.
I know I will get flamed, but I don't care. I'm trying to be the optimist around a community that is increasingly becoming unhinged.