Here are the quotes from NBC Correspondent John Harwood reflecting the attitude of the White House towards the protesters:
Barack Obama is doing well with 90% or more of Democrats so the White House views this opposition as really part of the Internet left fringe.What a surprise this White House doesn't take seriously the concerns of protesters! Of course anyone who protests this White House is going to be characterized as fringe, although considering the support the gay community has given this administration they are justifiably enraged. This administration would sell any group out that can give them a bit of bad press.
For a sign of how seriously the White House does or doesn't take this opposition, one adviser told me those bloggers need to take off the pajamas, get dressed, and realize that governing a closely divided country is complicated and difficult.
While I thought it was ridiculous for Pelosi, Reid and yes even the President to disregard the protests of the right, calling the gay protesters fringe who need to take off the pajamas etc., was flat out stupid. I will admit it would have rankled a bit had the administration treated this protest differently, but when you describe a supportive part of your base as fringe you've got some serious problems. Who are they going to write off next?
I have good friends and neighbors who are gay. We have had the discussion often whether this White House was going to do anything substantial for their cause. My position initially was that nothing would happen until well into the 2nd term if there was one. It has been said a few times the administration considers the Clinton's tackling of social issues early on as what led to major losses in the midterms in 94, Harwood reiterated that point in the clip. That may have been a breaking point but it wasn't the whole picture. There was far less risk for this administration to have tackled the social issues than to have alienated the independents with government expanding programs. The moderates and independents wouldn't have been as inclined to vote against the Democrats in the midterms solely on the basis of social issues.
As it stands now, the Dems are looking to lose a good number of seats in the midterms anyway. The best chance for making good on any promises real or implied to the gay community would have been early but the Administration chose stimulus and is trying to pass a health care plan that barely gains the votes of the moderates in their own party. Add cap and tax on that and there won't be anywhere near enough votes to address social issues.
As Dan Riehl mentioned earlier Obama "played the Centrist before the election, giving his base a wink and a nod at every turn. And the media never bothered to expose it." The only ones who actually believed it were the moderates. As I said to my friends here why would you think if Obama has to lie about his position on gay marriage to get elected, he will suddenly have political courage when he is in office? Even his decision to veer to the left on economic policies wasn't born out of courage, it came from a grandiose sense that he could continue bamboozle the middle with speeches and continue to wink at his base on social issues. The gay community decided to call him out on it and was thrown under the Obama bus. I wonder which group will be next.
For More on this topic see:
American Power " No Blackface for Lady Gaga's 'Imagine' Gig at National Equality Event
Legal Insurrection "Bloggers in Pajamas Unite
Pundit & Pundette "Obama's Bipartisan Scorn for Dissent"
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