Okay, this clip from last night’s Saturday Night Live is just for fun. But the barbs that fly between Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton are the kind of sharp commentary lacking from much of the traditional media’s reporting on this election cycle.

Throughout the course of this campaign, I’ve heard the moaning from some in our community about the LGBT community’s strong commitment to electing Barack Obama president. In bars and hangouts, and in some corners of the blogosphere, some in our community continue to show their discontent with Obama and his campaign for the Presidency.

The refrain is too often the same — he doesn’t believe in same-sex marriage, we’re selling out the goals of our community — and completely disregards the very different approaches each candidate takes toward LGBT people.

For just a glimpse of how each party values their LGBT members, you need only to look at this past week’s Democratic National Convention, where most-every high-profile speaker specifically highlighted equality for LGBT people:

“I ran for President to renew the promise of America… To fight for an America defined by deep and meaningful equality — from civil rights to labor rights, from women’s rights to gay rights, from ending discrimination to promoting unionization — to providing help for the most important job there is: caring for our families.” – Hillary Clinton

“The values of freedom and equal opportunity which have given him his historic chance will drive him as president to give all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability, their chance to build a decent life, and to show our humanity, as well as our strength, to the world. ” – Bill Clinton

“I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination.” – Barack Obama

Some argue that all of this is simply sweet talk, keeping those great gay dollars flowing into the Democratic Party establishment, but when you really take a look at where both Obama and McCain stand on issues that directly impact the daily lives of LGBT Americans, it becomes clear which candidate will deliver tangible results for our community.

Obama supports federal legislation to protect LGBT people from getting fired from their jobs simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity; John McCain doesn’t. Obama would allow gay and lesbian service-members to serve our country openly; John McCain wouldn’t. Obama would allow same-sex couples to adopt; John McCain wouldn’t.

I know it’s easy to get worked-up into a tizzy over Obama’s opposition to same-sex marriage rights, a position that is obviously regrettable to us; but as an organizer on-the-ground for issues important in the daily lives of LGBT Americans, I feel it is irresponsible to neglect the many areas in which his presidency could further protect the rights of our community. I meet people every day who have been fired from their jobs, simply because their partner picked them up from work. I’ve met countless members of the transgender community who are terrified to present themselves honestly to their employers for fear of retribution. With federal legislation to protect against this type of discrimination, and a President supportive of our community, we have a historic opportunity to impact the lives of thousands of people, finally. This election is about more than you, or me. It’s about more than marriage. It’s about the millions of LGBT people whose lives can and will be directly impacted by his presidency

In these and many other examples, Barack Obama’s policies will clearly, and tangibly, help the LGBT community in our march toward full equality. Sitting this election out solely because of the marriage issue is a dangerous precedent, and disregards the day-to-day needs of countless in our community. This Nader-esque approach to electoral politics not only throws the baby out with the bath water, but neglects the opportunity to make real progress for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

Jake Kaskey has years of electoral experience as an organizer for Grassroots Solutions, Dick Gephardt for President 2004, the Human Rights Campaign, among many other local and state campaigns. He is currently an activist for the LGBT community in Pennsylvania.

Last night I wept as I watched the Democratic Party nominate Barack Obama for President of the Alan_convention United States. All those trials and tribulations of the 1960’s in the struggle for freedom seem to have new meaning and new purpose. As Democrats we should be bursting with pride, as Americans we should celebrate our progress and as human beings we should all stand a little taller.

-Senator Clinton certainly wowed the Convention on Tuesday night and proved that she is committed to the Democratic Party and its principles. In a powerfully delivered speech she stuck to her journey while making a powerful case for supporting Barack Obama. Her supporters must be extremely proud and the party is very grateful. I believe her best line of the evening was:

Most of all, I ran to stand up for all those who have been invisible to their government for eight long years. Those are the reasons I ran for president, and those are the reasons I support Barack Obama for president. I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

-Speaking of Hillary supporters, the press seems to be having a field day interviewing those supposed “Hillary Supporters for McCain” outside the Convention Hall. There is not a doubt in my mind that they are NOT real Hillary supporters but McCain plants. Listening to them is like listening to the inmates who escaped from the asylum in the movie “King of Hearts”. They are nuts. Why the media keeps giving them time is beyond me. Are ratings really that important?

-The press seems to be desperate to know what the Republicans are thinking of our Convention and giving them enormous amounts of time to comment on our proceedings. Do we really need a commentator from the Christian Broadcasting Network being given tons of time? Give me a break, and please, God, give them the hook!

-The most sought-after couple at the Democratic Convention is Jeremy Bernard and Rufus Gifford. They are business partners and a couple in real life. The duo are the stars of the Obama fundraising machine in California. Every Democratic candidate is attempting to sign these talented fellas for the 2010 elections. Handsome, talented and sought after for business, somehow it is just not fair. They should have to struggle more!

-Speaking of the dynamic duo, Gifford and Bernard were seen at the MSNBC / Newsweek Party (Alter Party) at Scott Coors and David Harts. Tall, lanky Charlie Rose was there surrounded by awestruck fans. Howard Fineman, who appeared to be really enjoying the party, was giving opinions to anyone that would listen to what Obama must do (get nasty) to win the election. The party was filled with internet and blog people.

-Former Hillary Clinton supporter Congresswomen Loretta Sanchez says she hasn’t endorsed Obama yet because she hadn’t received a call from him yet. Will a telegram do, Loretta? Must make our troops feel good that the petulant Congresswoman is making a protocol call more important than the War.

-OK, someone has to say it and it might as well be me. John McCain’s appearance on the “Tonight Show” was disgusting. When Leno joked about his numerous homes, McCain’s answer was to go into the fact that he was a prisoner of war. Does this mean anytime there is a hot question that we will hear about his POW incarceration? No one wants to diminish that experience but it seems he is doing a good job of it himself. We should not accept him hiding behind that experience every time he makes a mistake. It dishonors him and all other POWs. His constantly played POW card is becoming dangerously close to failed candidate Rudy Guliani’s criminally self-serving 9/11 mantra. So there, I said it.

-Poor late Senator Eugene McCarthy, even in death he cannot get his due. Duing Tuesday’s “In Memoriam” segment honoring all the great Democrats who died since the last Convention, they placed the name “Senator Joseph McCarthy” next to his pictures. Joseph McCarthy was of course the horrible ‘red-baiter’ from the 1950’s!

-The Brown Palace Hotel has turned out to be the place to be seen at this Convention. Huddling in the lobby of the hotel were actor Sean Penn and Maria’s brother Robert Shriver. Would have loved to have had a hidden microphone on that conversation!

-Message to any poor pitiful gay person who is considering voting for McCain: The Republican Platform officially includes a plank supporting putting a marriage ban in the Constitution of the United States. Still feel all aglow for McCain? If so, let me suggest a therapist to deal with your self-hatred. Time for you Log Cabin Republicans to leave your back-woods and come into the light.

-On to the Speakers at the Convention – did anyone notice that Senator Mark Warner gave the keynote? It was so boring and so bad. Really Senator, you were so cautious that the delegates talked over your speech.

-Maybe the keynote should have gone to Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio who followed Warner! Strickland got the crowd going and gave a good old fashion “give them hell speech. ” The delegates came alive.

-Then there was the incredible speech and performance given by Montana’s rancher Governor Brian Schweitzer. The “prairie populist” hard-hitting, funny, sincere and intelligent. Where has the Democratic Party been hiding this man? He should be hitting the circuit for Obama this Fall! In some ways, he reminded me of the Texas Democrat Jim Hightower.

-Finally, one of my favorite speeches was by Congressman Dennis Kucinich. It was an old fashioned stem winder that had the crowd chatting, cheering and laughing to his “Wake Up America” theme. Strickland’s and Schweitzer’s speeches were in prime time but Kucinich was early in the day. In case you missed his speech, take a look at in the youtube.com segment below!

Sen. Hillary Clinton delivered a powerful speech and a ringing endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama last night at the Democratic Convention. Her speech will go a long way towards unifying the Democratic Party and focusing our sights on a crucial goal: electing Barack Obama as our next president.

Hillary Rodham Clinton summoned the millions of voters who supported her in the primaries to send Barack Obama to the White House Tuesday night, and drew thunderous applause at the Democratic National Convention when she declared her one-time rival is “my candidate and he must be our president.”

“We don’t have a moment to lose or a vote to spare,” said the former first lady, writing the final chapter in a quest for the White House every bit as pioneering as Obama’s own.

The packed convention floor became a sea of white “Hillary” signs as the New York senator _ Obama’s fiercest rival across 56 primaries and caucuses _ strode to the podium for her prime-time speech. The signs were soon replaced others that read simply, “Unity.”

Here is a short video of reactions by women in Denver to Sen. Clinton’s speech:

I am sure you remember that old cigarette ad slogan, “I’d rather fight than switch.” Well, this reverse version should be the motto of all of us who supported Hillary Clinton. We all need to get behind Barack Obama and make sure that we win back the White House – and our country – this November.

It will simply not happen without a full faith effort on everyone’s part, no matter who you supported in the primaries. Unity is no buzzword this year, it is the only way we will have any hope to see the change we do desperately need.

My house was – and still is – a Hillary House. We admire her, respect her and see her as an inspiration for all women, but especially for our 3-year-old daughter. I want her to grow up in a world where nothing is out of her reach and Hillary has so much to make that a reality.

But here’s the reality: we absolutely must win in November. We need to put someone with integrity, progressive values and the best interests of everyone in this diverse nation at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. I believe Barack Obama is that person. Not simply because John McCain is a nightmare for LGBT people and plenty of other folks. Obama has proven himself an ally to our community, a formidable opponent for McCain and a person who can inspire

It was not easy arriving at this moment. We all had to watch our Democratic candidates pitted against one another, the ugly sexism that erupted in the media and on the Internet. Obama has made a few mistakes, but who doesn’t. The measure of a person is what they learn from them.

We all still speak in hushed tones about the realistic prospects of an African-American president. Will our country really elect a black man? I think so. I have to think so and I will work to make it happen.

My wife is fond of saying that if you cannot think of anything else, there are three reasons to get on board and make sure Obama is elected: the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court. She may still be a little bitter but she has kept her sense of humor.

There are a plenty of other reasons too, of course. If we are to make any progress in stemming the loss of life, credibility and money from the travesty of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, if we are to see any serious reform in education, social security, healthcare and the economy in general, we will certainly not see it happen in a McCain administration. If there is any hope of passing an inclusive hate crimes bill or non-discrimination law, that will only happen with an occupant in the White House who knows us, respects us and will work with us.

I read a shocking and sobering statistic the other day – that 10% of LGBT people are supporting McCain, and Obama has 68% of the LGBT vote. When we look at the margins of error for the general election, we are once again a minority that can help put Obama over the top. So here’s our challenge: 15 percent of all GLBT voters are not yet sure which candidate to support. We should be doing two things: talking to everyone we know about who they are voting for and do everything we can to get that 15% of undecideds to decide, as also put some effort into 10% of the McCain camp. There is plenty of information on this site and others – if not now, when?

The Obama campaign recently announced that former supporters of the Clinton presidential are joining the Obama campaign’s LGBT steering and policy committee. Rep. Tammy Baldwin D-WI, former head of the Clinton campaign’s LGBT committee, was invited to join the Obama committee as co-chair alongside sitting chair Tobias Wolff, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

From the Washington Blade:

Baldwin told the Blade that she was interested in joining Obama’s committee because “the contrast is stark” between Obama and Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on gay issues.

“It matters to LGBT people in America who wins the next election,” she said.

Baldwin said she feels “a special role” in communicating the difference between Obama and McCain to the gay voters — and highlighting this contrast will be a primary goal of Obama’s committee.

The Obama LGBT steering and policy committee currently has about 100 community leaders and other activists with strong backgrounds in LGBT civil rights and grassroots organizing.

Other Clinton supporters joining the committee include:

• Mandy Carter, an African-American lesbian North Carolina activist
• Jesse Garcia, president of the Dallas Stonewall Democrats
• H. Alexander Robinson, CEO of National Black Justice Coalition