E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSThe blogosphere is abuzz with the story that broke last night, when the Human Rights Campaign released internal memos from the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), the nation's largest and most visible anti-same sex-marriage group, calling for the use of a racial wedge strategy to fight campaigns for marriage equality.
“The strategic goal of this project is to drive a wedge between gays and blacks -- two key Democratic constituencies,” one of the NOM memos says.
“The documents, marked “confidential,” were unsealed yesterday afternoon in Maine by court order, as part of that state’s ongoing ethics investigation into NOM’s campaign finances.
The memo spells out specific steps to enact, including:
Find, equip, energize and connect African American spokespeople for marriage, develop a media campaign around their objections to gay marriage as a civil right; provoke the gay marriage base into responding by denouncing these spokesmen and women as bigots…”
Here is an excerpt on NOM’s Hispanic strategy:
"The Latino vote in America is a key swing vote, and will be so even more so in the future, both because of demographic growth and inherent uncertainty: Will the process of assimilation to the dominant Anglo culture lead Hispanics to abandon traditional family values? We must interrupt this process of assimilation by making support for marriage a key badge of Latino identity - a symbol of resistance to inappropriate assimilation."
NOM also spells out its plans for the 2012 presidential election:
"From a political angle," the NOM document says, "this strategy will require electing a pro-marriage President in 2012." Strategies for defeating, ("sideswiping," as the document calls it) President Obama include "expose Obama as a social radical," and "raise such issues as pornography, protection of children, and the need to oppose all efforts to weaken religious liberty at the federal level."
NOM is a 501(c)3 and cannot endorse presidential candidates, but the former chairwoman of NOM’s board, Maggie Gallagher, endorsed Santorum in January.
Public opinion has moved considerably in the three years since the memos were drafted. The most recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll (conducted Feb. 29 through March 3) shows a plurality favors same-sex marriage -- 49 percent say so versus 40 percent who oppose. That's a reversal from 41-49 percent in October 2009.
Among African Americans, a majority (50 percent) said they were in favor (41 were opposed). That's a big change from October 2009, when just a third (32 percent) were in favor and a majority (53 percent) were opposed. Among Hispanics, in the most recent poll, 55 percent said they were in favor, 30 percent said they were against. That's also a change from October 2009, when the margin was tighter (45-40 favor to oppose).
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign -- which supports efforts to legalize same-sex marriage -- criticized NOM. “Nothing beats hearing from the horse’s mouth exactly how callous and extremist this group really is,” Solmonese said in a statement.
NOM posted a statement on its website today, saying it is "proud of [its] strong record on minority partnerships."
It added: “Gay marriage advocates have attempted to portray same-sex marriage as a civil right, but the voices of these and many other leaders have provided powerful witness that this claim is patently false. Gay marriage is not a civil right, and we will continue to point this out in written materials such as those released in Maine. We proudly bring together people of different races, creeds and colors to fight for our most fundamental institution: marriage.”
NBC's Domenico Montanaro contributed to this report.
Leave a Comment:
The back story to all this is something those on the left can't or won't say. That blacks are against gay marriage and are, therefore, bigots. If it wasn't for the black vote in California, Prop 8 wouldn't have passed.
Does it hurt, being that stupid?
There are plenty of black gays.
Who are "the blacks?"
If people who are against gay marriage are bigoted, then obviously that means any such person, regardless of race.
obama lies: "Among African Americans, a majority (50 percent) said they were in favor (41 were opposed)."
lol. so much for your "facts". :)
According to research, Blacks are much more socially conservative than most. The liberal left has always considered the black vote as 'purchased' because of the liberal handouts intended to buy votes. What it doesn't buy is integrity. Blacks do not buy in to the gay lifestyle at the same rate as their liberal white counterparts.
What "research" might that be, bigmouth?
Give us legitimate sources or fuk off. Right-wing talk radio doesn't count.
Typical right-wing liar who feels it's OK to make up "facts".
Mcrich: Correct. Blacks tend not to see 'gay marriage' as a civil issue, rather more of a religious issue. To be black and gay is as taboo as it gets within their culture. Just ask any black. I have and even the liberal leaning ones have a tough time seeing it as a civil issue because it's a subject that is generally not tolerated in the family unit and preferrably ignored. I think that has changed dramatically in recent years over the exposure of under-handed tactics such as Prop 8 and all the other media coverage like this NOM event that is starting to sway them and dramatically change their stance. I don't think their views have changed, but I do think they are now seeing the issue as a violation of rights especially when correlated to their own struggles with 2nd class citizenship.
Hey, Klone...
I won't call you names but I would like to know....
How many times has gay marriage been voted on by the people and been defeated?
How many times has gay marriage been voted on by the people and been passed?
Based on the ratio of votes, wouldn't you think that the nation (when allowed to vote in a voting booth) is more conservative than you believe?
I say, leave it up to the voters. They were intelligent enough to elect Obama. They should be intelligent enough to determine if gay marriage should be allowed.
Mcrish: Not everybody votes. It may be that more conservatives are turning out to vote on the issue because they are most afraid of it. It's tought to say. That's why these issues can't be left up to a majority vote. Why don't we just put slavery back on the ballot and leave it up to majority vote. If its happens to pass because the majority of voters who turned out want a slave then that's how we govern? Don't think so. The courts need to determine whether this is disriminatory under the Constitution.
Let's vote on whether or not fat people can marry. Let's leave that up to the majority too!! Oh wait, the majority of this country is fat. Naw forget it that's a waste of time! ;-)
Kloonie,
If you still disagree you can look up the exit polls from any website that has the stats. 70% of African Americans said NO to Gay marriage. I can explain it to you but can't understand it for you.
Mcrich: Again, 70% of VOTING African Americans say no to gay marriage - they are only polling those who are showing up to voting booths. That's not saying 70% of African Americans are against gay marriage OR would vote that way. U understand?
crich,
stop changing the subject and give us the proof. I'm not looking anything up... YOU'RE the one who made that silly claim, YOU prove it. Do your own homework.
Until you do, you're still a lying bigmouth.
Governor Christie agrees with you.......he thinks the south should have voted on the civil rights of blacks.
Most black folks see that as problematic.
With all the problems we are faced with why is this being dicussed and whos stopping ya from reciting your own vows Living together (There) You are married I dont get all this gay marriage talk who the F*** is stopping ya from this ??
I personally could not care less who marries who and I also dont see why anyone does What F***en business is it of anyones anyway ..........Ive been married and I did not like it much but if thats what ya want go for it NOBAMA 2012
NOM is divorced of reality. No pun intended.
Oh come on, like a group of people who are against another group of people's right to marry based on their sexual orientation would be against using racial wedges to divide their opposition?
This should hardly be surprising.
gay is just wrong..
peanut butter and fluff is just wrong too (IMO) but you don't see me leading a charge to make it illegal. :)
Families with 5 kids they can't afford is wrong too.
Mike, are you saying that a gay family of 5 kids they can't afford is wrong? I agree!
Mcrish: No, I'm saying any family with 5 kids they can't afford is wrong! In fact it should be illegal. I shouldn't have to support these irresponsible people with my tax dollars. At least there isn't this financial burden when gays get married, they can't irresponsibly reproduce.
How quaint...Santorum (and I heard this from the horse's mouth folks) said that OBAMA was a divider, yet here he is, being championed by an organization with a clear divide and conquer strategy. Can you spell H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E?
I wonder when the documents of their love of ex gay conversion therapy will get leaked.
Many of the key people in NOM have been very upfront about their support of that voodoo.
One of their Mormon board members even supports the criminalization of homosexuality.
divide and conquer and thereby force your worldview on everyone.... nice to know that the righteous reich are showing their true "colors" ====
The strategy document said..."expose Obama as a social radical," and "raise such issues as pornography, protection of children, and the need to oppose all efforts to weaken religious liberty at the federal level."
Well, it looks like the Republican candidates got the memo because following the strategy is exactly what they have been doing. Remember the excitement at Fox News about the secret video showing Barack Obama as a college student speaking at a protest (social radical), and Santorum going on about pornography and the evils of sex and birth control, and the claims about the "war on religion". As President Bush once so eloquently said, "Fool me once shame on you, fool me.....you can't get fooled again". I will never, ever understand how anyone can believe the lies and propaganda the Republicans and their supporters put out. I guess that is what you get by palling around with torturers (Cheney), lobbyists (Abramoff), and the Koch brothers.
More Republican Propaganda. I bet Hitler didn't even come close to the amount of lies, spins on truths and facts and using hate, fear, racism and violence the Republican Machine spits out these days. If our streets had speakers, Republicans would board-cast all day and all night (24/7) until every living thing either moves or complies. Conservatives have gone insane and dangerous.
Goebbels would have drooled over having a propaganda machine like faux news....
To Donald Price and all others seeking to refute him: I learned a long time ago that you cannot reason with unreasonable people. People have their prejudices and, if you're prejudiced or bigoted, you do not want to hear or listen to reason or common sense. Such people are impervious to reason or rational thinking. And just because someone has experienced prejudice, such as many black Americans have experienced, it does not mean that they will not be prejudiced or bigoted. Hate and prejudice is such a waste.... and I am wasting my time posting this.... for unreasonable people will not see reason.
P.S. I'm a Christian and do not object to homosexuals marrying. It's their choice; their lives. Let them live in peace.
The problem for NOM is that as more old farts die all ethnic groups are becoming accepting of gay marriage. It is coming to your state soon. Ten more years and the battle will be over. In five more years, we'll have 20 states with gay marriage - regardless of what the Courts do. Some of the happiest people will be the evangelical ministers - who will finally feel the Amazing Grace of knowing their true selves. It seems there are so many closeted evangelists. And there are a tremendous number of gay organists and choir directors in the protestant churches. Hosannah to the highest. Let the sun shine in.
Sounds like those raskly republicans have stolen a play directly from the democratic playbook. How dare they attempt to use race to win an election. How could they attempt such at thing? I thought the dems had a 'lock' on race-baiting. Next, they'll try to have Rubio run as VP with Romney! Whew.... Then the hispanics won't know what to do...
As long as the government is issuing marriage licenses - it's a civil right.
Don't see what all the fuss is about. Practically every "strategy" the left uses is a racial wedge strategy. Or a gender wedge strategy or a class wedge strategy. Take away their wedge strategy and they've precious little of substance.
What's amazing is the quantum leep of this statement:
NOM is a 501(c)3 and cannot endorse presidential candidates, but the former chairwoman of NOM’s board, Maggie Gallagher, endorsed Santorum in January.
It doesn't say that the NOM endorsed Santorum.
Just another reflection of the liberal leftists supporting Oboma
mcriech, the extreme right is uses tactics that are disgusting. Before you made your comment, did you check to see if she was chairwomen when she made the endorsement? If you didn't, then you are not better. Fact check or be another ignorant Republican Minion.
Where is the story? Obama has said that he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. (wink, wink)
What do you think his story will be if he wins the election?
mcriech, you like that Republican fear tactic? Make something up that is not true because you want to spread a dark rumor. Try living in now.
NOT mcriech! Sorry mcrich. Everyone, I appologize. I mis-spelled mcrich's name and did it twice.
republican conservative tea mongerers can't even agree that a huge , unjustifiable killing has taken place again in our country. keck said race relations are worst in 50 years, that's why that murderer shot that kid. 50 years ago , a black person had to move off the sidewalk when a white person was passing. 50 years ago , blacks weren't allowed to eat at same restaurants with whites. 50 years ago , blacks could not be in certain parts of town , at certain times of night. 50 years ago , black kids couldn't attend schools with white kids. SO , IT'S APPARENT , '' THIS IS THE LIFE, REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE, WHITE TEA DRINKERS CALLED , '' THE BEST RACE RELATIONS ''. THESE GENUIS MUST ALSO THINK THERE ARE RAILROAD TRACKS IN HEAVEN. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR THAT SERIOUS MISCALCULATION ????? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hand it over to the IRS and have their *exempt* status pulled so they can pay taxes.
SAME FOR ALL CHURCHES ! !
Politicing from the pulpit is a violation of the rules also.
So, keep you bible out of my government and I'll keep the IRS out of your [legal Sunday] donations
Let's not lose sight of the fact that a big aspect of homosexuality is men getting each other's feces all over their penises. Is this really worth upholding?
Yeah...it's not a clean activity like getting your wang all covered with urine and yeast. But then again something tells me the only thing you ever put yours in is your palm.
I'm happily married and happily hygienic, so keep your urine, yeast, and masturbation to yourself, you little fudge packer!
Now we know why you have no kids and your marriage is on the rocks - you're still a virgin!
None of that icky sex stuff for you!
Fudge packer....now there's an original one. Did you ever notice that the guys that claim they're hopelessly straight always know the most descriptive terms for gay sex? Hmmm...makes you wonder.
"Hygienic" as in we actually take showers, unlike you, dumbass. So we don't suffer from the yeast and urine that drove "makememad" to faggotism. How do you interpret "happily married" as having our marriage "on the rocks", dumbass? We have two kids, dumbass.
Makes you wonder what? That I'm as corrupt and filthy and defective as you?
Hey, 3axap, heterosexuals participate in anal sex more than homosexuals do -- and that probably includes you.
Actually your wife has 2 kids. Are they both the mailman's or does one belong to the yard guy? Because you sure as hell can't get it up, dumbass.
Sorry to disappoint you, trash. Never done it. As if I believe your oh-so-scientific anal sex survey, anyway.
Oh, did I "make you mad"? Tell me, who made you gay?
Only a faggot would be concerned about another man getting it up.
Nobody made me gay. I was born that way. Just like you were born a dumbass.
Well for somebody who isn't "concerned" about gay sex you sure are spending a lot of time on this board. Looking for dates are you?
Well it's been fun but now i'm going to go get in bed with my husband and pack some fudge. You have fun jacking off dumbass.
I think you have amply proven yourself to be the trash here.
And given the fact that homosexuals comprise about 5-10% of the population, and approximately 30-40% of heterosexuals have admitted to participating in anal sex, that would indicate that many more heterosexuals engage in anal sex than homosexuals do (BTW, apparently not all homosexuals participate in anal sex, as they do not all enjoy it, either).
And having two kids does not automatically mean you are "happily married," either. THAT proves you're also ignorant.
I feel sorry for the children, growing up in such a hostile environment.
3axap, you don't sound very happy, calling people names and judging an entire group of people.
Neither NOM nor any other organization needs to "drive" a wedge between the prospect of same sex marriage and the protection of traditional marriage. as the world knows, hispanic and african americans, whatever their political party, offer strong support for traditional marriage. Since the views of American voters have been largely unallowed or ignored on a subject of such great importance to them - this issue will remain a vexing sore to the country. approving same sex marriage on skewed and reinvented interpretations of the "equal protection" clause of the 14th amendment has been the travesty of our times. the 14th amendment was clearly aimed at and solely for the integration of former slaves into the nation as citizens. if it had a broader meaning of "equal protection" across the board, later anti-polygamy laws would never have withstood scrutiny by the supreme court nor would there still be other categories of citizens who do not share "equal protection" such as minors, convicts and marriage between close family members.
Just like mixed-race marriage, eh?
Conservatives are really lovely people, aren't they?
Michael1969
Obama is against gay marriage the same way he thought Hillary was racist - NOT. What he's against is saying what he really thinks cause it might cost him a vote.
Don't believe everything you think.
I don't see what the big deal is. Why is NOM so against gay men getting married? I mean, straight men have been marrying dogs for years. And it's not like us gays are going to be raiding the pool of single heteros for husband material. There's plenty of our own kind to choose from out there without having to settle for a pathetic straight guy.
I think NOM is against gay women getting married too. I don't think they limit their intolerance to men. And by the way, I have raided the pool of single heteros from time-to-time! ;-)
They'd be surprised at how many gay men are married - to women - and still have an active sex life. Just not with the wife.
Ah, but for NOM, it's all about appearances...