August 21, 2008 - 10:35am
News

Gay rights leader won't vote for an Obama/Nunn ticket

The leader of the state’s largest gay rights organization and a Clinton delegate to next week’s Democratic National Convention says that the nomination of former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) for Vice President would stop him from voting for Barack Obama.

“If Barack Obama were to choose Sam Nunn as his running mate, the highest placed office on the ballot for which I would cast a vote would be U.S. Senate,” said Garden State Equality Chairman Steven Goldstein, who will attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week.

Nunn’s name has been floated as a potential running mate for Democratic candidates during most elections over the last two decades, and while this year is no exception, he’s not considered a likely pick. Still, some Democrats see the “moderate-to-conservative” Nunn, who left office in 1997, as a way to appeal to groups that traditionally vote Republican.

But Nunn was the leading Democrat to oppose President Clinton’s initial push to allow gays to openly serve in the military, and was a driving force behind the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” compromise that is reviled in the gay community.

“As a gay person, if Obama was to choose Sam Nunn, I would be as horrified as a right-wing Republican would be if John McCain chose Gloria Steinem," said Goldstein.

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton), who’s also an openly gay Democratic delegate, said he’d prefer that Obama not pick Nunn, and doubts that he will. But it still wouldn’t stop him from supporting the ticket.

“I don’t think it would be an insult to the gay community. Barack has already demonstrated sympathy and empathy towards gays,” said Guisciora.

Still, Gusciora would be baffled if Obama chose Nunn.

“I just think that Nunn is not the break from change that we need, and he’s been off the scene for so long,” he said.

In all, there are eight Democratic delegates and alternates from New Jersey who are members of the LGBT community.

MATT FRIEDMAN is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at matt@politicsnj.com.

Comments

Who Cares?


Goldstein is a shameless media hound who thinks anyone really cares what he thinks?

He was for Hillary and now he's looking to somehow insert his name in a national dialogue of which he has no real standing.

New Jersey isn't defined politically by left wingers like Mr. Goldstein and neither is the Democratic Party if it expects to win come November.

Goldstein is only hurting, not helping the Obama effort.

Vote Column A - All the way!

08/21/08 1:54 pm

I agree


Nunn, while he did do some exceptional thinings in his day his stance on Gays in the millitary waw appauling

08/21/08 1:58 pm

I agree Who Cares


Politicker is giving WAY too much time to Goldstein. Not worth the time to even scroll past the article.

08/21/08 1:59 pm

You're right


I don't find myself that interesting either. But I cook a really good matzo brei.

08/21/08 2:52 pm

5 minutes are up!


Enough with Goldstein. His 5 minutes of fame are up!

"I figure people drift toward liberalism at a young age, and I always hope that they change when they see how the world really is.”
- Johnny Ramone

08/21/08 7:06 pm

obama's wrong on same sex marriage


bfd. beats the alternative.

i hate hillary, but i'd vote for an obama/clinton ticket.

jagger said it best - "you can't always get what you want"

08/21/08 9:39 pm

Goldstein


I love how angry the GOPers on this cite get when a progressive leader is effective

08/22/08 9:18 am

I would support an Obama/Goldstein ticket


Oy, should Barack Obama choose Steve Goldstein for his VP, I will support the ticket. The slogan could be "Two Mensches Are better Than One". Matzo brei for every one on January 20th!

08/22/08 10:48 am