We could give to Kucinich, who the DNCC tried to push outand simultaneously give the White House a wake-up call

Alter is a shameless toady. Ugh.All for protesting, we saw here in NYC how effective protesting Ruben Diaz was in isolating him from the SEnate Majority Leader. The very fact it’s unsightly makes people, supporters, donors alike, run.
Too bad it’s probably too late for tonight.

First Class Recption on the Titanicas the Administration sinks….
It ought to be a musical:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

TiringOh, everything is just out of Obama’s hands. He’s the powerless President, a mere figurehead, utterly useless.
He’s a decoration, apparently.
But despite being totally impotent, his plate is just SO FULL of items he can’t affect in the slightest isn’t it!
My my.
What a useless fool.  

Forget KucinichHe ticked off too many people threatening to vote against HCR. Besides he’ll never be president and everybody knows it.
Focus on Howard Dean, if the goal is to make the WH sweat. He’s still a hero to the Netroots. He stood up to the HCR, and for our community on DADT. He presided over the DNC during the time they amassed their large majorities.
He also has been treated very shabbily by the admin. If it looked like the left was courting him that could be a threat to the monopoly the think they have on Dems.

AMEN!
Alter was and is one of those ostensibly straight men who, nevertheless, can be said to literally be in love with Obama. Salon’s great Glenn Greenwald calls his admiration of Barack “creepy,” and Alter, “the single most sycophantic White House stenographer.”

All the way back to the primaries, I had to stop reading his endless love letters in Newsweek as I could otherwise never get the image out of my mind of Alter typing with one hand and masturbating with the other.
His claim that someone described Obama as having a “Rubik’s cube in his brain” reminded me of the brilliant primary series in Slate by Timothy Noah called The Obama Messiah Watch [OMW], e.g. “Dug Jazz When He Was Still A Middle Schooler!”
In fact, Noah recently devoted another brief OMW chapter to his “friend” Alter for including in his book on Page 192 this anecdote illustrating that the adoration did not end with the election, and that Alter again puts the “hag” in hagiographer:

Rabbi David Saperstein, reading from Psalms in English and Hebrew, noticed from the altar that the good men and women of the congregation that day, including the Bidens and other dignitaries, had not yet stood. Finally Bishop Vashti McKenzie of the African Methodist Church asked that everyone rise. At that moment Saperstein saw something from his angle of vision: “If I had seen it in a movie I would have groaned and said, ‘Give me a break. That’s so trite.’” A beam of morning light shown [sic] through the stained-glass windows and illuminated the president-elect’s face. Several of the clergy and choir on the altar who also saw it marveled afterward about the presence of the Divine.

Less than two years in office, and Alter has already said that Obama is on a plane with FDR and LBJ in domestic achievements.
Alter’s book was widely praised by the mutual mastubration society of MSM who insisted that the didn’t shy away from criticizing his boyfriend, excuse me, Barry. But, sifting through, one notes a pattern: Obama isn’t to blame for the administration’s failures but simply to blame for having hired advisors who are to blame for the failure….or it’s the processes not this policies at fault.
That’s illustrated above by his willfully ignorant [or outright dishonest] claim that DADT still exists because it’s  one of those “matters simply out of Obama’s hands.” It’s the fault of Congress. HORSESHIT, you homophiliac hack!
Alter’s moral compass is, perhaps, best guaged by his description in 1996 of something Newsweek had done as simply a “weak case of media malfeasance.” What was he talking about? The magazine’s article on questionable medals that led to one admiral’s suicide.
In bitter irony, Alter’s best selling hymn, which Newsweek International editor Fareed Zakaria called, “unabashedly pro-Obama,” is titled, The Promise, given that more than one of those is what Barack has broken to the LGBT community. But maybe in his next of what promises to be a series of books on Barry with unique access, Alter will paint the scene where his hero made our allies in Congress watch as he ripped the Military Readiness Enhancement Act out of their hands and wiped Gates’ ass with it.

I don’t feel the luxury of tsk tsking the DNC fundraisersThe foul anti-Muslim, anti-LGBT, anti-Black, anti-Latin@, anti-CHOICE, anti-Union Republican Tea-Klanners are even more nasty and toxic, this election, and it makes my blood run cold thinking of Sharron Angle, Marco Rubio, Rick Perry in office, or losing Barbara Boxer.
I personally want NOTHING more than Republicans to get their teeth kicked down their throats…PERMANENTLY.
Then I’ll deal with cowards in the Blue tent.

have no fearI think most of these extremist Republicans aren’t going anywhere. It’s a false choice to say we have to fund party arms that support anti-equality candidates who are Dems. It’s about funding directly the people who will stand up for our rights. The GOP deserves the teabagger fringe, it will bring them down, not the lack of funds in the DNC/DSCC/DCCC coffers.

Question for PamPam,
I’ve tried to keep up with the ‘Closing the gAyTM’ posts but I’m sure I’ve missed a lot.  I’d just like to ask you, and please don’t mistake this as a critism, I’m really interested in your thoughts on how we might affect national change by not funding the Obama and the Democratic Party.  
I’m unaffiliated with any party(though I wish the Green Party hadn’t been so easily crushed on the national level) so I have absolutely no interest in protecting their interests, and I wouldn’t consider any involvment with Republicans except under the most extreme situations and only as a last resort.
My interest in asking this question is to get your thoughts on a strategy to deny Obama and the Democrats funding as a means to get an inclusive ENDA passed, DADT/DOMA erased, and the protection of LGBT immigrants (amongst many other goals).  For example, one thought I had was promoting a campaign to consider Hillary Clinton as a write-in candidate for President for a few reasons, one of which is to demonstrate the people have power, and another is my suspicion she wouldn’t kowtow to the Republicans. Unfortunately, I’m not sure she’d fare any better on LGBT issues.  
Anyway, just thought I’d ask because I’m interested in hearing alternative strategies at this point since, despite the recent Prop8 ruling (which I’m sure is adding fuel to the fire now), the right-wing/religious right seem be getting more bold in their thoughts and actions which could be a good sign or bad sign for us, but I suspect bad considering the President, who was once very vocal about being our ally,  now treats us and our issues as toxic.

I mean for CongressKeep him in Congress just to annoy the powers that be

whether I wanted to contribute to coffers or not, it’s unlikely…we’re tappedOur room mate got layed off at his job, so we are cut back to about 2/3rds of our household income, and not many decorating projects before late October.

Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals, Huh?I would suggest they perform, for the President, the closing number from “Gold Diggers of 1933,” for reasons too subtle to explain.
Video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

Remember my forgotten man?
You put a rifle in his hand,
You sent him far away,
You shouted, “Hip hooray,”
But look at him today!

This one would be far more appropriate for this Administrationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

Obama and the Democratic Partyshould be drug tested if they think we’re going to give them money.  I mean, it’s crazy.

I’m Surprised that Streisand’s Sonhasn’t informed her of the problem she is abetting by giving him money.

FTWI love irony.  Especially, if it’s at the expense of those stopping full equality.

that’s a good oneAlthough this artist’s rendition of “Diamonds Are Forever” also says something to this President. (Hyperlinked from your video).

Unlike men, the diamonds linger,
Men are mere mortals who
Are not worth going to your grave for.

Sorry, but all the signs indicate that Babs….
….doesn’t like to talk about her son’s sexuality. Several months ago she gave some written bromides to the site for LGBT youth, Matthew’s Place [as in Matthew Shepard]. You’re all wonderful, accept yourselves, blah blah blah but not a SYLLABLE about her own son.
Yet there are diva queens who will instantly spring to her defense about how much she’s done, how much she’s donated, blah blah blah. Well, I’m older than dirt, and have been following her since her first solo album, before she appeared on Broadway in Funny Girl, and before her first film, and I can tell you it’s been very little.
She did deign to do a small fundraiser, but behind closed doors. She personally gave $25,000 but that’s pocket lint to her gazillions, and only 1/4th of what Brad Pitt and Spielberg each gave, and, as far as I know, they don’t have gay children. And it was 1/20th of what straight Steve Bing gave. Where’s his gay son?
Quelle strange, and quelle indefensible.

The right leaderObama is a great leader and I have full faith in his policies and decisions.
Glamour Smile

really?So you have faith in his decision to defend your second class citizenship in court using the foulest language possible?

For a person whose parents could have been jailed had theymoved to certain states in the U.S. back in the 1960s for their marriage, I am ashamed at the lack of ethics and compassion this President displays.

A Partial ReplyAlthough I’m not Pam (and don’t have her depth of insight), I’d like to give at least a partial answer to your question.  ”Don’t Ask, Don’t Give”, which was begun on Americablog by John Avarotis, is a pledge to not give generically to Democrats until DADT and DOMA are repealed and (an inclusive) ENDA and UAFA are passed.  (Generic contributions seem to go to support those who do not support us.)  Instead, people are encouraged to give to the campaigns of those who support us (Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is an example) while not giving to those who do not.  By targeting donations in this way, we encourage our friends and show those who do not support us in the Democratic Party that there are consequences to their actions.  Hope this is at least partially helpful.

A little surprisedI’m a bit surprised at how vehemently angry some PHBlenders are regarding Obama and the Democrats. I think that’s more surprising than anything Obama or the DNC has or has not done.
Here’s what I mean: I think Rachel Maddow was absolutely accurate when she said that Obama is a moderate. He may have painted himself as liberal during the campaign, but, hey, politicians often portray themselves one way in order to get money and votes. It’s honestly unfortunate that people gave Obama so much time and money without realizing that they might get screwed in the end for their efforts (no sarcasm).
In fact, Obama is clearly following a moderate approach on pretty much everything, including health care and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve been nothing but disappointed by his efforts. OTH, I try to remind myself that he is what he is – a moderate. I was taken aback when things fell apart around ENDA, but that may have been more due to my trusting the lgbt blogosphere’s (mis) reading of the political tea leaves at the time than anything else.  
I don’t feel any sense of betrayal given that I never expected much from him or the DNC. We don’t have a “fierce advocate” in the WH and never did. I don’t mean to be cynical, just to be clear with myself when dealing with this administration.
PS: I’m not suggesting that Obama and the DNC shouldn’t be held accountable or publicly criticized. Far from it. I guess I’m more taken aback by the intensity of anger and even betrayal some folks express.  

That’s HelpfulNo, that was helpful.  But I’m wondering if this is a strategy that Pam prescribes to [which I know you can't answer of course] or if she’s going a different direction or expanding it further, etc.  
I can certainly see a benefit to more targeted donations for state and national issues, but I’m still curious where Obama’s administration would fit with this plan.  

and thus the DNC and Obama cannot complainIt’s honestly unfortunate that people gave Obama so much time and money without realizing that they might get screwed in the end for their efforts (no sarcasm).
That after the screwing we might be less than enthusiastic.

LOL, at least leavesome rights up under the lamp on the dresser.

i fail to see …… how continuing renditions and military tribunals is “moderate,” same thing for not prosecuting DOJ attorneys for torture memoranda (or investigating the fire-the-US-Attorneys scandal).
Here’s a couple of fun facts: the Gitmo court just accepted the coerced confession of Omar Khadr (the 15-y/o “child soldier”) as evidence against him. However, the ODOJ seems disinclined to prosecute Tom DeLay.
See, if you don’t believe me,
http://www.opednews.com/articl…
Now this is moderation? Mind you, I didn’t expect Obama to be another Mandela, and I was aware he professed he was a, ahem, moderate. I voted for him on the theory he was not stupid and not evil, unlike his opponents or his predecessor. I’m still sure about the “not stupid” part, at least for now.

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You are right CoramYes, Obama’s position on continuing extraordinary renditions and military tribunals, with little due process is one of the biggest indicators of all, that he drifts to the right.  I am more than disappointed with these public policy positions.  I thought Dems would have reinstituted due process and the applications of civilian law for crimes committed by terrorists.  I am not disappointed on the LGBT front.  He knows how to give a great speech and had really revved up the LGBT community during the campaign.  As for Wall Street–he is very cosy with them and received the most money of any Dem presidential candidate from Wall Street.  Moderate he maybe, but he lacks tremendous political courage on questions of moral dignity etc.  I am not swooning…far from it.  He is what he is.

to borrow a metaphor from JFK… he’s all profile, and no courage.
http://www.salon.com/news/opin…

… to refer to an old Burlington coat factory as “hallowed ground.”
– Jon Stewart