As sent to the Obama-Biden campaign:
While I initially lauded Senator Biden’s equal rights approach to the issue of gay marriage, I was absolutely stunned to see that when backed into a corner, he spoke out against gay marriage, and represented Senator Obama as standing against gay marriage.
What is it about a group of intelligent, kind-hearted, well-educated, loving people that is so terrifying to America?
I have been a staunch supporter of Barack Obama since his 2004 race for senate, and have been a regular local volunteer for the campaign many months. However, as of tonight’s debate, I have been entirely alienated.
1 in 9 Americans is openly homosexual – and most gays in America vote Democrat. The gayest 10% of Americans may very well make up 20% of your 48% supporting demographic. An additional swarm of active liberals are passionate activists for equal rights to all Americans.
In a race this close, are you truly prepared to lose 10-20% of your supporters to a claim of discrimination and limitation? Is hatred of a non-malicious minority truly so important to you?
Senator Biden’s comments created an Us vs. Them dynamic that left me, along with millions of Americans, thoroughly in the ostracized “Them.”
While I understand that the moderates in America are the key votes at the moment, this is not the time to sell out your strong, liberal base.
If you are not prepared to say that you officially support gay marriage, there are ways to voice a moderated level of support. Why not simply acknowledge that it is a loaded issue over which passions fly. That the decision to support gay marriage goes beyond what lawmakers decide. That as a culture, we are still growing to understand and accept this fringe group.
Please revisit Senator Biden’s remarks and consider issuing a clarification that does not alienate many of your most adamant supporters.
Best wishes,
BP.
