Watch: Obama-Linked Gospel Singer Performs At '04 GOP Convention, Sings About Bush

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is under heavy fire over the decision to invite gospel singer Donnie McClurkin on a South Carolina campaign tour this weekend.

McClurkin has vowed to battle "the curse of homosexuality," and insists that sexuality can be changed by religious intervention. "If this is a war, we are willing to fight. Not a war of violence, but a war of purpose," he told the Washington Post in 2004 before performing at the Republican National Convention.

Below, watch McClurkin's performance at the convention, which took place on the final night just hours before President Bush's speech.

At one point, McClurkin even includes Bush in the lyrics of his song, singing in the final verse:

After you've done all you can, you just stand.
Don't give up, don't give in, you just stand.
Oh, Mr. President, tonight, you just stand.

Comments

[ProfessorDuh]

Gee, I wonder if Obama would campaign with a guy who said that if blacks would just pray to Jesus, would turn them into white people?

[JohnJames]

Doubt it. Americablog reports he called for some government official to be fired for an anti-black remark.

[Legaldiva]

And Americablog has lost all credibility with their false outrage.

[dr4Will]

this only shows how unprepared to be President , obama is---he has been a scatterbrain candidate----

[Rivcuban]

McClurkin was born and raised in Amityville, New York. When he was eight years old, tragedy struck: his two-year-old brother was hit and killed by a speeding driver. The night of the funeral, McClurkin was raped by his uncle.

The family became filled with domestic violence and drug abuse, and at the age of eight, and again at thirteen, McClurkin was sexually abused, the second time by his cousin, his uncle's son.

-------------------------------------------

Unfortunately, McClurkin is unfairly blaming his horrible past on gays and not on pedophiles (which just like his uncle are nearly ALL heterosexual). What a shame.

[SensibleAmerican]

Slice and dice it any which way you want, it is suffice to say, he is messed up! And so is "Fluffy's" candidacy and campaign ...

[Chocolate2008]

GIVE ME A FRIGGEN BREAK !!!

ALL OF THIS OBAMA SLANDER IS ORCHESTRATED AND IT'S WAY BEYOND OBVIOUS!!!

FROM UNCLE TOMS TO "ANONYMOUS" HIT JOB ARTISTS, THE BOMBARDMENT OF HUFFINGTON POST WITH MASSIVE ANTI-BARACK OBAMA POSTS , IS BEING DONE DELIBERATELY!!!.

TELL ME, HOW MANY $100.00 BILLS DID HILLARY STICK IN YOU PEOPLES G-STRAPS TO WRITE THIS GARBAGE?

GO AHEAD, BAN ME.

I'LL JUST COME BACK ANYWAY!

[JohnJames]

What say the trolls now, who insisted on the Hutchinson thread that being an ex-gay is a personal matter and has nothing to do with politics?

[JohnJames]

Calling all trolls. I can't hear you!

[starrianna]

BOO! Happy Halloween!

TROLL CALL for October 2007:

TALKING POINTS *******************

(1) Hate Hillary
(2) Support Obama (he is not Hillary)
(3) Bomb Iran
(4) Do Not Talk About Larry Craig
(5) Buy Jenna Bush's New Book!
(6) Do Not Care About HIV/AIDS (even though Jenna's book talks about it)
(7) Protect Condoleezza from Terror Protestors

[Chocolate2008]

GIVE ME A FRIGGEN BREAK !!!

ALL OF THIS OBAMA SLANDER IS ORCHESTRATED AND IT'S WAY BEYOND OBVIOUS!!!

FROM UNCLE TOMS TO "ANONYMOUS" HIT JOB ARTISTS, THE BOMBARDMENT OF HUFFINGTON POST WITH MASSIVE ANTI-BARACK OBAMA POSTS , IS BEING DONE DELIBERATELY!!!.

TELL ME, HOW MANY $100.00 BILLS DID HILLARY STICK IN YOU PEOPLES G-STRAPS TO WRITE THIS GARBAGE?

GO AHEAD, BAN ME.

I'LL JUST COME BACK ANYWAY!

[Alanlak]

"I came for the good PR
And PR I'll receive.
Obama's good for good PR
And that's what I believe"

(With NO apologies to Donnie McClurkin

[Dandy12]

Interesting lyrics especially to honor the President who would do the most to ensure no domestic tranquility, and destroy this country.
"Oh, yes you can" destroy everything!

[SeanGardner]

Once again, the Obama want to hit him on this, but fail to mention some an issue explained in this article http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2007/10/23/obama-takes-heat-from-gays-on-gospel-tour/. In fact, here is a good passge:

"However, it turns out Obama isn"t the only presidential hopeful who has crossed paths with McClurkin. He performed for Democratic presidential front runner Hillary Clinton"s husband Bill Clinton in 1992 during the Democratic National Convention".

BILL CLINTON in 1992.

Truly, this issue has been blown up way out of proportion.

[Justis]

Yes, and to think how much Bill Clinton did for gay rights!

[steamboat]

I don't really remember him doing much.

[echoesohio]

"Truly, this issue has been blown up way out of proportion."

In your humble opinion maybe. The Clinton's have taken plenty of heat from the GLBT community in the past and deservedly so. Why is it that the main defence of Obama's blunder is to point out the blunders of others rather than logical argument?

You guys really need to focus more on what your candidate is/does and less on what Hillary is or does. Mentioning her constantly is not helping your cause at all. It just makes you look desperate.

[SeanGardner]

Logical arguments have existed are on this thread and other threads concerning this issue.

I mention Bill Clinton's association with McClurkin and Hillary Clinton's personal with the homophobic minister Harold Mayfield (who said homosexuality was equal to thievery) because many of the very gays and lesbians attacking Obama knew all this about the Clintons. But that gets a psss. A continuous pass.

I don't have a problem with Obama's gospel tour because he is reaching out to constituencies that do not share the totality of his politics, or the expansiveness of his vision. And what's wrong with that? He is trying to reach some middle ground. Isn't that what you would want in The President of the United States?

And where do you get off writing this: "You guys really need to focus more on what your candidate is/does and less on what Hillary is or does. Mentioning her constantly is not helping your cause at all."

Obama is fine, and has been quite supportive and friendly to the gay and lesbian community. And as for mentioning Hillary...I'll keep mentioning her to see how many of those who claim to be outraged by Obama association with McClurkin are equally outraged with Clinton's friendship with Harold "homosexuality is equal to thievery" Mayfield.

If its good for the goose (Obama) then it is most certainly good for the gander (Clinton).

And for the record pal, I'll keep mentioning Hillary. My posts don't make me look desperate, they make me look fair and measured.

I'll leave the lopsided condemnation of Obama and desperation to you. You're doing a mighty fine job.

[Chocolate2008]

GIVE ME A FRIGGEN BREAK !!!

ALL OF THIS OBAMA SLANDER IS ORCHESTRATED AND IT'S WAY BEYOND OBVIOUS!!!

FROM UNCLE TOMS TO "ANONYMOUS" HIT JOB ARTISTS, THE BOMBARDMENT OF HUFFINGTON POST WITH MASSIVE ANTI-BARACK OBAMA POSTS , IS BEING DONE DELIBERATELY!!!.

TELL ME, HOW MANY $100.00 BILLS DID HILLARY STICK IN YOU PEOPLES G-STRAPS TO WRITE THIS GARBAGE?

GO AHEAD, BAN ME.

I'LL JUST COME BACK ANYWAY!

[cuthbertallgood]

As you well know, St Donnie did not start his marketing of his 'reformed' sexuality until after his guy Bush was in office and hate was the name of the game. His book 'came out' in 2002. Prior to that he was just a singer, not a political lightning rod. But you already know that.
This is about Obama, not Bill Clinton. This is about 2007, not 1992.

[SeanGardner]

Hillary Clinton was endorsed by the Rev. Harold R. Mayberry, senior pastor at First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oakland - her persoanl friend. Mayberry ccompares homosexuality with thievery.

This article contains his views on homosexuality:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/03/14/MNGJB5KB9N1.DTL&type=printable

I thought you might want to know this cuthbertallgood!

[SensibleAmerican]

SeanG, your support for "Fluffy" has reached the same lows as the right-wing-nuts' "support" of Bush and his "policies". They too justify his actions the way you are doing Barack Hussein's! They too have blind faith and they too take disparate dots and try connecting them any which way they can to justify their fanatical beliefs!

One word describes such "blind faith and support": PATHETIC ...

[Chocolate2008]

GIVE ME A FRIGGEN BREAK !!!

ALL OF THIS OBAMA SLANDER IS ORCHESTRATED AND IT'S WAY BEYOND OBVIOUS!!!

FROM UNCLE TOMS TO "ANONYMOUS" HIT JOB ARTISTS, THE BOMBARDMENT OF HUFFINGTON POST WITH MASSIVE ANTI-BARACK OBAMA POSTS , IS BEING DONE DELIBERATELY!!!.

TELL ME, HOW MANY $100.00 BILLS DID HILLARY STICK IN YOU PEOPLES G-STRAPS TO WRITE THIS GARBAGE?

GO AHEAD, BAN ME.

I'LL JUST COME BACK ANYWAY!

[Gerahufff]

Yes, McClurkin performed in 1992 for the Clintons, and it should be noted that he was never asked back!!!

[wshanks]

And thus you have a very good reason why the Democrats risk losing the White House, again, in 2008. Just reading these comments make me sad at the prospect of a Giuliani presidency.

I see a big theme is that Obama is not ready for the big-time. Well, perhaps it's some of you that are not ready for Obama.

It's clear that the GLBT lobby is most concerned with themselves, and not the state of our nation, as clearly it is more important to sink a great candidate like Obama, who is extremely GLBT-friendly, than it is to correctly solve problems like the Iraq War, health care, and the environment.

Obama has issued statements saying that he strongly disagrees with McClurkin on this issue. But that's not enough, is it? Not for the powerful HRC, no. They demand total compliance with their agenda, state of the nation be damned.

Enough with the special interests. Obama is the man with the judgment to lead, and yet some would condemn him so readily simply because a homophobic gospel singer will sing a song or two at one of his events. McClurkin is not out looking for gays to bash, he simply holds an opinion. And not one that anyone here on this site, including myself, agrees with. But this is America - having an opinion isn't a crime. McClurkin isn't speaking for Obama, he is a performer, an entertainer. Politicizing everything is a bad strategy for winning elections, folks.

And for heaven's sake, can we stop playing Gotcha politics? Last I checked this wasn't michellemalkin.com.

[BrokenMirror]

"McClurkin is not out looking for gays to bash, he simply holds an opinion."

Read any of McClurkin's interviews, and you will see how completely wrong you are. And, by the way, the myth of the "homosexual agenda" is just that - a myth. Gay people only want to be treated equally and with all due respect - it has nothing to do with, and causes no detriment whatsoever to, the "state of the nation." As a gay man, I am way more concerned with solving problems like the Iraq war, healthcare and the environment. I am not a one-issue voter, by any stretch of the imagination. But, as a gay man, I also cannot ignore a slap in the face by a candidate who claims to be, as you put it, "GLBT-friendly."

[NotMyPrez]

Sounds like the Hillary swiftboats are firing up their engines.

let the mud-slingin' begin!

[SeanGardner]

"And, by the way, the myth of the "homosexual agenda" is just that - a myth." You're joking right? Gays and lesbians want to have the rights that heterosexuals take for granted. This is a fact. SO if gays want it done, then that is the "agenda" of gay rights groups who speak for the GLBT population. DUH!

The word agenda is not a negative. Its just a reality: every person, every group has an agenda. Gays are no different.

And oh, I wonder what you think about the news that Hillary Clinton has a prominent supporter and personal friend who is a homophobe. Paul Jenkins wrote this today:

"Hillary Clinton recently trumpeted her friendship with Harold Mayberry, of the First African Methodist Church in Oakland; her press release on the meeting/endorsement left out the fact that Mayberry believes homosexuality to be comparable to thievery."

Would love to know what your thoughts are on this! Man, I mean, its not just that the guy is a Clinton supporter. Cool. But this homophobe is actually HER FRIEND! Her press release pointed that out.

So since you can't ignore this alledged "slap in the face" from Obama, I wonder if you can't ignore this news too about Hillary's alledged slap in the face to gays.

Please let me know.

[vamonticello]

Hillary Clinton has embraced preachers with far worse views than that gospel singer. Considering the fact you have no problem with Hillary leads to only possible conclusion.

[Chocolate2008]

GIVE ME A FRIGGEN BREAK !!!

ALL OF THIS OBAMA SLANDER IS ORCHESTRATED AND IT'S WAY BEYOND OBVIOUS!!!

FROM UNCLE TOMS TO "ANONYMOUS" HIT JOB ARTISTS, THE BOMBARDMENT OF HUFFINGTON POST WITH MASSIVE ANTI-BARACK OBAMA POSTS , IS BEING DONE DELIBERATELY!!!.

TELL ME, HOW MANY $100.00 BILLS DID HILLARY STICK IN YOU PEOPLES G-STRAPS TO WRITE THIS GARBAGE?

GO AHEAD, BAN ME.

I'LL JUST COME BACK ANYWAY!

[vamonticello]

I agree with "wshanks" 100%

[echoesohio]

Sounds to me like you have issues with the GLBT community and HRC. What a great excuse Barak has now given you to voice that anxiety. A perfect example of why he needs to further distance himself from Donnie, the ex-gay preacher at war with homosexuality.

[SeanGardner]

Hillary Clinton was endorsed by the Rev. Harold R. Mayberry, senior pastor at First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oakland - her persoanl friend. Mayberry ccompares homosexuality with thievery.

This article contains his views on homosexuality:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/03/14/MNGJB5KB9N1.DTL&type=printable

I thought you might want to know this echoesohio!

[echoesohio]

Why is it that only GLBT people should accept being thrown under the bus by Democrats in order to insure a Dem victory? Why not Right To Lifers? Why not Femininsts? Why not Jews, Unionists, other Minorities? I'll tell you why - because it's easier on your conscience to forget we exist than other groups; because you believe, deep down, that our issues aren't as relevant. That is exactly what homophobia' means. And from Barak's example, it's easy to see how insidious and hurtful it can be. He probably doesn't even realize it, as you clearly do not.

[BrokenMirror]

Nicely put. And, spot on.

[JimR]

If the Democratic presidental candidate came out in full support of gay marriage and pledged to make it the law of the land, he or she would be TROUNCED in the general election, and you know it.

Sad, but true.

[Northshoredude]

Great reply - as a gay man - I thank you

[Dantheman99]

Brilliantly put. As a gay man, I thank you for this.

Hearing people asking how we can be shut up for the election is very dismaying.

Fortunately, at a Lavender Green, I belong to a political party that believes in gay equality on principle.

[Dantheman99]

"It's clear that the GLBT lobby is most concerned with themselves, and not the state of our nation, as clearly it is more important to sink a great candidate like Obama, who is extremely GLBT-friendly, than it is to correctly solve problems like the Iraq War, health care, and the environment. "

----------

Isn't being lumped in with a group and being discriminated against because of real or perceived membership in that group part of the dehumanizing process that causes bigotry in the first place?

How are people who are concerned with gay equality only concerned with themselves any more than anyone else who is concerned with any other issue?

There is no "gay lobby" that all of us belong to. I received no toaster, nor membership card when I came out.

Personally, I dumped the Democratic Party in 1993 right after Don't Ask, Don't Tell and DOMA and joined the Lavender Caucus of the Green Party and have been happy with my political affiliation ever since.

[Rivcuban]

African-Americans must really have a low self-esteem...they continue to follow in the footsteps of the same ignorant people who throughout history have oppressed them...the evangelicals/Baptists.

[vamonticello]

Are you crazy?......Martin Luther King was a PREACHER. He used the church to convince America, incuding you gays, that segregation is wrong. The church has been and is the foundation of the black community.

[echoesohio]

So your respect and desire to fight for equality stopped with the end of legalized black/white segregation? It doesn't apply to anyone else or any other circumstance - certainly not to GLBT? Very shortsighted. Very sad.

[SeanGardner]

"African-Americans must really have a low self-esteem"

Very insensitive and bigoted statement.

[arethabaez]

Coretta King and Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton and Julian Bond and Andrew Young etc.......are the most articulate supportive voices imagineable for gay rights, so don't even go there. I'm white&gay by the way.

[Chocolate2008]

GIVE ME A FRIGGEN BREAK !!!

ALL OF THIS OBAMA SLANDER IS ORCHESTRATED AND IT'S WAY BEYOND OBVIOUS!!!

FROM UNCLE TOMS TO "ANONYMOUS" HIT JOB ARTISTS, THE BOMBARDMENT OF HUFFINGTON POST WITH MASSIVE ANTI-BARACK OBAMA POSTS , IS BEING DONE DELIBERATELY!!!.

TELL ME, HOW MANY $100.00 BILLS DID HILLARY STICK IN YOU PEOPLES G-STRAPS TO WRITE THIS GARBAGE?

GO AHEAD, BAN ME.

I'LL JUST COME BACK ANYWAY!

[ProfessorDuh]

Obama might as well campaign with a flat earther. The "ex-gay theory" is equally discredited, but much more cruel. Obama can go to hell.

[eddieinc97]

It's sad that a race that has been subjected to bigotry can have those who chose to be bigots. It's even sadder that Obama has played into their hands.

[Justis]

If Obama would also appear at an event with white supremacists or anti-semites calling for a "war" on the "curse" of blacks or Jews, then I have no quarrel with his choice. You can't have it both ways--either you're truly open to "dialogue" with bigoted people you disagree with, or you're not. You don't get to pick and choose which minority you can afford to insult based on their voting power.

Otherwise, he's a hypocrite and fraud.

[Justis]

Hypocrite and fraud.

[vamonticello]

Once again, it all comes down to RACE. Everytime someone has a problem with Obama, they attack him by attacking his race. It just goes to show that there are many democrats that are just as racist as the racist Republicans. At least Republicans are open about their racism, these false "open minded" democrats are just as racist.

[JettFuel]

What a fool. My respect for this man just went down the toilet ..

Why would he feel the need to do this?
Desparation.

Is this something a leader would do?
No.

Do we need another religious nut case running ruining the country?

No.

No one can pray the gay away anymore than one can change the color of their eyes.

Rev Donnie is a closet case...just like Larry Craig....Men that are too weak to confirm their own sexuality. Weak...

jettfuel

[TurnThePageGA]

When did the Clinton Campaign buy out the Huffington Post? Obama has already cancelled his appearance at the concert (today). He has issued a statement (yesterday). This is the third blog on this subject versus...let me check...and the pro-Obama blog is off the board after one day is already of the board. I suppose we don't want votes in 2008 that voted for Republicans in 2004. What is your point Huff Post? And since you are playing HILLARY'S game now I will post this.

excerpts from endorsement still posted on HillaryClinton.com from GAY BASHER Reverend Harold Mayberry:

"Senator Clinton has an excellent concept about how she plans to address issues surrounding crime and education. She described how she has partnered with leaders in New York to create a charter school specifically for African American men and notes that the Allen Cathedral AME Church charter school in Jamaica Queens, New York could be used as a model of how to help educate African American young men. Her mentioning of the school shows that she's aware of outstanding successful examples of education in this country. The way she addressed the need for the federal government to partner with inner cities suggests that she's not just focusing on international issues but that she's concerned with domestic ones - particularly crime and violence in our communities. I want a president who knows how to strike a balance between addressing international and domestic challenges facing this country," said Reverend Dr. Harold R. Mayberry, Senior Pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church and Chairperson of Network for Interfaith Action.

Where is your so called indignation on gay bashing for this?

[cuthbertallgood]

Speaking for myself, I expect nothing good out of Hillary. I did expect great things out of Obama.
He took my money and shared it with a guy who calls me a curse, and you think I should be happy about that?
Two wrongs don't make a right in my world.

[poeticjustice4all]

Black people, 4 to 1, never thought Obama was the most qualified person to lead the nation at this time. All along it's been liberal Whites with guilty consciences that have been behind his so-called "meteoric rise." Now, those very same White folks want to tear Obama down. Well, have it. But please know, Blacks generally perceive this type of nonsense to be much more insidious and hateful than the flat-out racism of the far right.

[cuthbertallgood]

What kind of nonsense? Be specific.

[cuthbertallgood]

And of course the Obama supporter is ashamed to be specific about his opinions.

[maryec]

Senator O'Bama....What on earth were you thinking to join with this bigot?? What a sad day. I'll never vote for you. Ever.

[vamonticello]

I guess you would never vote for Hillary either because she has been endorsed(and proudly accepted the endorsements) by preachers that have far worse views about gays than this gospel singer.

[midwestvoter]

She's also beholden to Lobbyists and AIPAC. Hillary is the establishment. She's the GOP's candidate.

[BrokenMirror]

You have proof of this? Can you name these alleged preachers?

[midwestvoter]

This could have been so easily avoided. All his campaign had to do was to replace this guy with another singer. Surely there are talented gospel singers who aren't divisive, outspoken bigots. Has Obama been paid to take a dive? If not, then his judgement is really poor.

[vamonticello]

talk about judgement issues. Hillary's poor judgement caused people to get killed in iraq. Your hateful rants against a singer is not in the same ballpark of Hillary's misjudgements about a WAR that led to over 3000 american DEAD soldiers.

[SensibleAmerican]

I have always maintained that "Fluffy" Obama is all talk and hot air. Recently his desperation has become obvious especially in South Carolina where his Afro-American support has been slipping and now he is way behind Hillary in the polls. But, to have a bigot and Bush lover as your campaign icon to get the religious freaks' support is beyond pathetic!

This is as bad as the right-wing nuts pandering to their fanatical "base" ...

[TurnThePageGA]

There you are Sensible. Ready aim, Fire. Here is the BIGOT, GAY BASHER'S endorsement PROUDLY posted at HILLARYCLINTON.COM. You have no crediblity because your candidate want he state that she disagrees with the Bigot.

REVEREND MAYBERRY'S ENDORSEMENT OF HILLARY CLINTON POSTED AT HILLARYCLINTON.COM:

"Senator Clinton has an excellent concept about how she plans to address issues surrounding crime and education. She described how she has partnered with leaders in New York to create a charter school specifically for African American men and notes that the Allen Cathedral AME Church charter school in Jamaica Queens, New York could be used as a model of how to help educate African American young men. Her mentioning of the school shows that she's aware of outstanding successful examples of education in this country. The way she addressed the need for the federal government to partner with inner cities suggests that she's not just focusing on international issues but that she's concerned with domestic ones - particularly crime and violence in our communities. I want a president who knows how to strike a balance between addressing international and domestic challenges facing this country," said Reverend Dr. Harold R. Mayberry, Senior Pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church and Chairperson of Network for Interfaith Action

[NotMyPrez]

He needs to work on his fake southern accent, then he'll be the belle of the barbq.

[AnotherTry]

Afro is a hairstyle.

[SeanGardner]

Once again, the Obama want to hit him on this, but fail to mention some an issue explained in this article http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2007/10/23/obama-takes-heat-from-gays-on-gospel-tour/. In fact, here is a good passge:

"However, it turns out Obama isn"t the only presidential hopeful who has crossed paths with McClurkin. He performed for Democratic presidential front runner Hillary Clinton"s husband Bill Clinton in 1992 during the Democratic National Convention".

He performed for Bill Clinton in 1992.

This issue has been blown up way out of proportion.

[cuthbertallgood]

In 1992 McClurkin was not advancing his anti-gay agenda. He started marketing his sexual issues in 2002, after Donnie helped elect Bush.
So in 92, he was just a gospel singer.
But you know that.
And for those of us who were never voting for Hillary, the point is useless as well as invalid.
But Clinton is a tired and worn out phrase around here.
It would be refreshing to see a pro-Obama posting that did not frame the issue and manipulate the facts. Knowingly.
So screw Hillary, how's that? What else you got? But, Clinton!

[thromulese]

Did not Barack intern/mentor with the senator from Israel, and bush sock puppet Joel (bomb Iran) lie-berman?

Barack is trying to polish his moderate credentials by hanging with a homophobic, right wing, bush-loving preacher. I think he is trying to go for the homophobic vote. That is a huge block of voters in the south, and that includes, sadly a good number of blacks.

What is next? Tea with ann coulter?