Barack Obama - the gays, denial and Donnie McClurkin

Poor Barack Obama has gotten into a pickle with this one! The Swamp reports that "a Gospel concert tour that the Barack Obama campaign has organized for this weekend is stirring controversy among some gay activists.

Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Donnie McClurkin, who has offended gay rights groups by promoting the view that homosexuality is a choice and that gays can be "cured," is among several gospel singers scheduled to campaign on behalf of Obama in South Carolina. McClurkin is one of the singers featured in the tour's finale on Sunday.

McClurkin, who is also a Pentecostal minister, has said he struggled with homosexual "demons" for 20 years--which he attributes to molestation as a child by male relatives--but is now straight."

I loved that he says he struggled with his homosexual demons, oh he's such a drama queen!

Anyway, Obama's not getting involved. Or at least his people are trying to make sure that he doesn't get involved too much. Well, maybe. A little bit. Obama's spokesman Ben LaBolt said that McClurkin is not going to be dropped, but Obama did issue the following statement:

“I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.

"I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin’s views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

Hmm, I dunno about all this. Ok, so this McClurkin seems like a bit of an asshole and he's probably deeply troubled, but what I don't like about all this is how Barack Obama is happy to use this guy to campaign for him yet at the same time he distances himself from him politically just to appease the gays and liberals. Talk about having your cake and eating it. If he really disagreed with him so strongly, he'd drop him like the negative publicity hot potato that he already is. Grow a pair already!