LGBT Dems should consider voting for Hutchison
When it was clear that Sen. John McCain would be the GOP nominee for president in 2008, many mainstream Republicans used that certainty to vote in the Democrat primary to help Sen. Hillary Clinton in her bid for the Democrat Party’s nomination.
We did so because Republicans often felt that Hillary represented the least objectionable Democratic candidate. Some felt Clinton would have been easier to beat, and that may have been a reason as well. Nonetheless, Republicans attempted to influence the nomination.
In this year’s gubernatorial primary, the clarity falls more on the Democrat side. It’s clear that Bill White will be the Democratic nominee for governor of Texas. So, with it, I would expect LGBT and mainstream Democrats might use the opportunity Republicans had two years ago.
As it stands now, among Republican voters, Gov. Rick Perry is very close to securing the nomination without a runoff. However, I believe Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison represents the LGBT Democratic community’s least objectionable Republican candidate. She is presently trailing Perry by 15 points, and a third candidate, Debra Medina, is polling closely to Hutchison. A surge of Democratic support for Hutchison could change the dynamic of the race.
At the polling places, voters are asked whether they request a Democratic or Republican ballot. I believe that the Republican nominee will prevail in the general election. Voters should consider all of these unique circumstances in their decision-making process.
Rob Schlein, president,
Log Cabin Republicans Dallas
Taking exception to some Stonewall Democrat endorsements
I am always happy to see Stonewall Democrats of Dallas’ endorsements in Dallas Voice. Normally, I take that page out of the paper to take with me to my polling location, and use it for all my votes.
However, this year I take exception to two of the recommendations.
First is Bill White for governor. Mr. White is a decent man, and should he win the Democratic nomination, I will be happy to vote for him against the anti-gay candidates offered by the Republicans.
However, Farouk Shami has expressed his support for gay marriage, and Mr. White only supports civil unions. I feel the GLBT community should support the candidate who has the courage to support us fully. This is especially true in the primary contest.
Second is Larry Duncan for county judge. I don’t know much about Mr. Duncan, but I do know that Jim Foster is a gay man who has been on the right side of AIDS issues. Additionally, in 2006 when no one in the political establishment even had the courage to run for this office, he showed up.
This is enough for me to give him my vote.
I think we have all learned in the past year that giving our vote to candidates whose support for us is lukewarm doesn’t work out so great. I am somewhat envious of the energy of the Tea Party movement.
I hope we in the GLBT community can get some of that excitement back into our civil rights movement — just without the rudeness!
All progress in civil rights starts with the individual, and it starts locally. That is why I think it is important for all of us to not only review endorsements by GLBT organizations, but research the candidates, and vote for those whose interests reflect our own.
Michael Cowan
Dallas
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This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition February 19, 2010.
Maybe Michael Cowan can clue us in as to exactly what AIDS issues Jim Foster was on the right side of. I asked Mr. Foster weeks ago to substantiate his claim to lifelong service on behalf of the glbt community. I’ve heard nothing from him.
re.Ms.Furestenber’s comments:
My letter in regard to Foster’s action included the words “needle exchange” which he supported to prevent the spread of AIDS. Additionaly, my support of Mr. Shami was transmitted prior to his comments about his hiring practices.YUCK!!! Now I know how former John Edward supporters feel.
You are mistaken. Mr. Foster has never supported or proposed a needle exchange program to prevent the spread of AIDS.
Jim Foster has never proposed nor has he supported anti-discrimination for glbt county employees and he has not supported DP benefits.
So much for the “gay” County Judge.
Re: Ms. von Fuerstenberg
Okay, my final word on the subject. I do remember reading an article that stated Foster and John Price had joined forces to get a needle exchange program passed after Republicans had blocked it for years. Also, have any of the other candidates for Judge actually done anything supportive of the glbt other than talk? I am not combative on this, just curious, as I really have seen nothing on the other candidates????
First, Hutchison is Rick Perry light….the last thing the LGBT community needs is Hutchison as GOV and if she gets the GOP nomination, we are sure to have her as GOV. On the other hand, if Perry wins the GOP nod, he is certainly beatable in a statewise race. He barely got 40% of the vote last time and has alienated many Texas voters with his policies.
Second, While I would like to vote for Mr. Foster, I have decided to vote for Mr. Clay Jenkins, because he is the most credible candidate and someone that has the youth, energy and experience to lead our county. He has run an incredible campaign so far and has brought people from all walks of life together.
Unfortunatley, Mr. Foster is a terrrible campaigner, has raised almost no money and will be very beatable in the general election. I’d prefer to have the candidate that is best positioned to keep the democrats in control of that very influencial position, than take a chance with Foster. Though I am gay, I really do not care if a candidate is gay or not, as long as they are supporters of gay civil rights and all three candidates in that race are.
Finally, I DO NOT like several of the other Stonewall DEMS endorsements. They are very much an establishment orgainization. Look at them supporting crooks like Constable Cortes. I am voting for Michael Orozco instead. Much more ethical, and someone who not only talks the LGBT rights talk, but lives it by hiring gay people to work in the small business that he and his wire own.