Robinson criticized over Obama endorsement - Baldwin says she backs Clinton for president

A well-known gay bishop came out in support of a Democratic presidential candidate last week, much to the consternation of another religious leader who thinks the bishop is being used as a political tool.

In a statement issued Aug. 2, Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, criticized New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson’s endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama, calling it a misuse of religious influence for political gain.

“While endorsements like today’s raise the possibility of legal action against religious leaders, our concerns are rooted more in the impact on the sanctity of religion and the integrity of government,” Gaddy said.

Robinson defended his endorsement of Obama in a teleconference by saying his decision was made as a private citizen, not as a religious leader. He told reporters that he has never endorsed a candidate before and that he will not use the pulpit to expound on his political views.

“For me as a citizen, Barack Obama represents, I think, our greatest hope,” he said. “I’m excited to be in on the ground, if you will, of this campaign because here in New Hampshire it’s important that we get involved early. We do have such an important impact on the future of the election.”

Robinson was the first openly gay priest to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church USA in 2004. Robinson, who has announced plans to commit to his partner in a civil union, supports gay marriage rights and disagrees with Obama’s support of civil unions instead of full same-sex marriage equality.

“At this moment we have no viable candidate who is where we would like them to be on these issues,” he said.

Robinson said he was unimpressed by the experience and track records of “other politicians,” but felt Obama’s experience as a community organizer could lead the United States in a better direction.

Sen. John Edwards’ campaign picked up 25 gay endorsements in April and another seven this week. Among them are: Kevin Jennings, founder and executive director of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network; Gregory Simoncini, commissioner of the Illinois Human Rights Commission; Jeff Anderson, former co-chair of John Kerry’s LGBT Finance Committee; and Jeff Soukup, former president and chief operating officer of PlanetOut, Inc.

“As a first-generation college graduate from rural North Carolina, I come from a similar background to Senator Edwards,” Jennings said. “I believe he understands on a gut level issues of justice and equality.”

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) announced her endorsement of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) for president and her appointment as co-chair of Clinton’s Wisconsin campaign the same day as Robinson made his announcement.

“Senator Clinton is supremely prepared and the candidate best able to ensure health care for all, reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution and rule of law and re-establish our position of leadership in the world,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin, one of two openly gay members of Congress, was also named co-chair of the campaign’s LGBT steering committee and a member of its Health Care Policy Task Force.

“Tammy is such a strong voice on behalf of those who are too often left out of the political process,” Clinton said in a prepared statement. “I’m honored she’ll play a leading role in our national campaign and in Wisconsin.”

Baldwin said she has had contact with all but two of the Democratic campaigns but said she decided on Clinton because she wants to see full equal rights for gays at the federal level and because of Clinton’s views on health care.

“I am compelled by the health care issue,” she said. “We have 47 million uninsured people in the wealthiest nation on Earth.”

Baldwin said Clinton is “strong and vocal” in her support of the hate crimes and employment nondiscrimination bills and lends “just the type of visibility to help bring other senators along.”

Although Clinton is supportive on a number of gay issues, Baldwin admitted she differs with her about full marriage equality. Clinton supports civil unions and domestic partnerships, but does not support same-sex marriage.