CNN Slip Up!!
per Corbett Riner
It turns out that the openly-gay retired General, Keith Kerr, who harangued the GOP candidates tonight about the need to let gays in the military is an official Hillary Clinton supporter.
Here is a June press release from HRC campaign naming “Keith Kerr, retired Colonel., U.S. Army; retired Brigadier General, California National Reserve” member of “LGBT Americans For Hillary Steering Committee”
6/27/2007
Clinton Campaign Announces Launch Of LGBT Americans For Hillary Steering Committee
On the eve of the 38th anniversary of Stonewall, Hillary for President announced the formation of “LGBT Americans for Hillary,” a national steering committee of over 65 leaders in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Members of the steering committee include LGBT elected officials, activists from national LGBT and Democratic Party political groups as well as leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment and sports. This leadership committee will work with the campaign on several areas including political outreach, communications, policy advice and counsel, and fundraising.
“I’ve seen how Hillary Clinton’s experience, commitment, and leadership have made a difference for the LGBT community,” said New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. “From her efforts to defeat the Federal Marriage Amendment to standing up for our rights in employment practices, there is no one else in this race who will fight harder for the LGBT community. She’s ready to be our next president and I look forward to organizing the LGBT community on her behalf.”
The list of supporters on the steering committee demonstrates the history of friendship that Hillary Clinton has had with this community and the depth of her support among LGBT leaders. It includes people like former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Eldie Acheson, who went to college with Hillary Clinton, and Neel Lattimore who worked for her as First Lady as well as film/TV writer and producer Greg Berlanti who met her last week and signed on as a supporter immediately. The list also includes prominent LGBT activists who have been leaders on issues important to the community, including three retired members of the military who have worked to overturn the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, advocates in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and the attorney who argued and won the landmark Supreme Court case, Lawrence v. Texas.
“Her commitment to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and her steadfast work to improve access to care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS are just two of the reasons why I support Hillary Clinton for President,” said Jose Zuniga, President of the Chicago-based International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care. Zuniga, who attained the rank of Sergeant, was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1993 after coming out as a gay man. He served as a military medic during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and had been named the Sixth US Army’s Soldier of the Year six weeks prior to his discharge.
Hillary Clinton has worked to advance the cause of equality for LGBT Americans for many years. As president, Clinton has pledged to end the divisive leadership of the past six years and work with the LGBT community to make sure that all Americans in committed relationships have equal economic benefits and rights. She also will work to end discrimination in adoption laws. As a U.S. Senator, she has worked to expand federal hate crimes legislation and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and will sign the legislation into law once she is in the White House. She will also put an end to the failed policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
“I am proud to have the support of such distinguished leaders in the LGBT community,” said Clinton. “Together, we can move our nation closer to the promise of fairness and equality that all Americans deserve.”
Already, Hillary for President has been actively reaching out to earn the support of the LGBT community. In March, Clinton addressed the Human Rights Campaign’s Board Meeting and Equality Convention — the only candidate to accept their invitation. Her LGBT supporters have hosted two fundraisers for her campaign, one in Washington, D.C., on May 23, 2007, and one in Los Angeles last Friday. Hillary for President has a full-time staff person, Mark Walsh, solely focused on LGBT outreach.
“Hillary Clinton has precisely the priorities our nation needs at this time — a strong defense with a balanced hand to guide it, a will to strengthen education and health care, a fair tax system and a balanced budget – and equal treatment of every American under the law,” said Elizabeth Birch, former executive director of the Human Rights Campaign. “The LGBT community has seen many hard political years. It is time for a renaissance for our nation and for our community.”
LGBT Americans For Hillary Steering Committee Members (Committee In Formation)*:
* Eldie Acheson, former U.S. Assistant Attorney General; founding director, Public Policy and Government Affairs, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
* Roberta Achtenberg, former Assistant Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
* Toni Atkins, San Diego, CA, City Councilmember
* Dr. Christopher Barley, activist, philanthropist
* Greg Berlanti, executive producer, TV series, “Brothers and Sisters”
* Elizabeth Birch, former Executive Director, Human Rights Campaign
* Mary Breslauer, former co-chair, Kerry-Edwards 2004 LGBT Steering Committee; communications consultant
* Tonio Burgos, member, Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus
* Ilene Chaiken, creator/producer, Showtime series, “The L Word”
* Rocco Claps, former LGBT Outreach Director, Democratic National Committee; Illinois LGBT activist
* Bruce Cohen, Oscar-winning film producer
* Roberta Conroy, member, National Leadership Council, Lambda Legal
* Joan Darrah, retired U.S. Navy Captain
* Q. Todd Dickinson, former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
* Thomas Duane, New York State Senator
* Ingrid Duran, board member, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
* Steve Elmendorf, Deputy Campaign Manager, Kerry-Edwards 2004
* Shelley Freeman, business leader, Los Angeles Police Commissioner
* Ethan Geto, long-time gay rights advocate
* John Gile, Executive Director, Project Angel Food
* Emily Giske, member, Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus
* Deborah Glick, New York Assemblymember
* Steven Goldstein, Chair, Garden State Equality
* Chad Griffin, CEO, Chad Griffin Consulting, Inc.
* Rebecca Haag, Executive Director, AIDS Action Council; Executive Director, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
* Yashar Hedayat, businessman
* Lisa Henderson, General Manager, Olivia Cruises
* Stephen Herbits, businessman
* Fred Hochberg, former Deputy then Acting Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration; Dean of the Milano School for Management and Urban Policy, The New School
* John Isa, board of directors and Business Council member, Human Rights Campaign
* Gloria Johnson, board member, National Stonewall Democrats
* Christine Kehoe, California State Senator
* Keith Kerr, retired Colonel., U.S. Army; retired Brigadier General, California National Reserve
* Kasey Kincaid, attorney, Iowa grassroots activist
* Billie Jean King, sports legend and social pioneer
* Sheila James Kuehl, California State Senator
* Mark Kvare, board member, National Stonewall Democrats
* Neel Lattimore, Special Advisor for Strategic Communications, Children’s Defense Fund; former press secretary for the First Lady
* Bruce Lehman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
* Sue Lovell, Houston, TX, City Councilmember
* Claire Lucas, chair, Democratic National Committee LGBT Leadership Council; board member, National Stonewall Democrats
* Linda Gray Murphy, board member, National Stonewall Democrats
* Daniel O’Donnell, New York Assemblymember
* Dixon Osburn, LGBT activist on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy
* Annise Parker, Houston, TX, City Controller
* Catherine Pino, board member, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
* Julian Potter, former Special Assistant to President as Liaison to the Gay and Lesbian Community
* Christine Quinn, Speaker, New York City Council
* Hilary Rosen, President, OurChart.com; media industry consultant
* Peter Rosenstein, DC-based LGBT community activist
* Mirian Saez, member, Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus
* Greg Sargent, attorney, New Hampshire LGBT activist
* Jayne Baron Sherman, co-chair, In the Life Media; former board chair, Lambda Legal
* Melissa Sklarz, Director, New York Trans Rights Organization; vice chair, National Stonewall Democrats
* Paul M. Smith, board member, Lambda Legal; Attorney who successfully argued the landmark case, Lawrence v. Texas, establishing the right to privacy for gay Americans
* Jeff Soref, former chair of the Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus; former co-chair, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
* Laura Spanjian, board member, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund; board member, Equality California
* Campbell Spencer, former National LGBT Outreach Director for the Democratic National Committee and Gore-Lieberman 2000
* Rick Stafford, chair, Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus; co-chair, National Stonewall Democrats
* Jill Stauffer, board of directors, Human Rights Campaign
* Sally Susman, business leader
* Rev. Deborah Tammearu, Episcopal Priest, Diocese of New York
* Matthew Titone, New York State Assemblymember
* Jeffrey Tooke, board member, National Stonewall Democrats
* Olive F. Watson, activist and philanthropist
* Paula Redd Zeman, vice chair, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; vice chair, Black Democrats of Westchester
* Bob Zuckerman, board member, National Stonewall Democrats
* Jose Zuniga, retired U.S. Army Sergeant and former Soldier of the Year; Executive Director, International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care
* Members of LGBT AMERICANS FOR HILLARY have endorsed Hillary Clinton for President in their individual capacity. The names of past or present affiliations are included to assist in identifying the individuals listed and do not indicate any endorsement by that group or organization.
Tags: cnn, Debate, Republicans
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The only thing missing from the debate was a podium for the plant….er, ex-general on stage.
Nice background check, CNN!
first hillary plants questions at her own town hall meetings, now she is planting her steering members at republican debates.
I’m outraged! hillary spoke in my hometown of ankeny, ia today. she is evil, coniving, and deceitful.
how can CNN claim this was a slip up? this guy is from california, and CNN just happened to choose his question? he just happened to show up at the debate and get handed 2 microphones. someone flew him to florida and gave him an isle seat at the debate? I want to know who bought his plane ticket?!!!!!!
I’m not a homophobe, I just wish hillary would for once stand on her own 2 feet. not bill’s, not her staff’s, not her steerers, not her planted college student question asker’s, not her hollywood donors (which she now has never met) feet.
democrats: do us a a favor and elect her.
Grover Norquist had a question, and CNN disclosed his organizational ties.
General Kerr’s agenda has been a matter of record for months now. The lack of disclosure by CNN is breathtaking.
They had months to prepare, and by their own admission, screened over 5000 videos.
To think that the lack of a search of the questioner’s background or agenda was merely an oversight just doesn;t pass the smell test.
He just wasn’t as recognizable as Rosie O’Donnel or Ellen Degerneres. The Dems are surprising. I didn’t think they would go as low as they are. They must be really desperate.
The link appears broken.
Perhaps CNN did not ask. However, did the several plants at the debate mislead the audience? If this was the case of the retired general, then it reflects badly upon his organization and himself.
When asked if his YouTUBE question(s) got answered, Brigadier General Kerr said no. In reality they did get answered, just not like he wanted. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is working and I agree with those Republican candidates who said being openly gay or lesbian in the U.S. military would be a big distraction, especially for servicemen and women who have moral convictions against it. Kudos for Duncan Hunter, Senator McCain and the others who responded this way. I believe things of this nature, and Bill Clinton’s “slip ups,” will be the undoing of Hillary. Time will tell.
It sounded as if all the questions came from democratic supporters. I wonder if CNN or any other network would be willing to let the democratic presidential candidates respond to questions from republican supports? NOT! Better yet, there isn’t a single democratic candidate that has the guts to debate or answer questions from Sean Hanity. Fox news has too much class to stoop to the lows of CNN.
I am not surprised at all..Hillary and the Dems are …all their plants work under the motto “The Ends Justify the Means” and surely, despite the Elite Media thinking all Americans are stupid..WE ALL KNOW WHERE THAT ONE CAME FROM! What other questions do Dems “make up? and Fake?”
As for all the questions from You Tubers..their questions were so Ridiculous..heard Very Few Serious Ones…These people must be of the belief that Government is your mommy and daddy and just like the “Kiddies” of 27 and 29 here in Boston who halted subways, tied up Police and Fire for an entire Day…BECAUSE OF THEIR ADVERTISING “gig”..I think Dems believe they are children until they RETIRE!
At least the Republicans are BRAVE enough to attend a FIXED and BIASED debate.. and still the Democrats call for the end of Fox News? Now I know why..they can’t FAKE their debates on Fox like they can on the other Liberal, Elite Media!
Hey General Kerr-
Go ask your question to the dem prez and his wife why they put the program in place..
Nice going CNN!
I am a canadian business man.
i graduated from a texas university
my younger summers i spent in buffalo
over half of my extended family are americans
I love the USA and am very thankful that you are there—always!
hilliary will destroy america.along with that will go Canada
Stop her and himand those parasite left wing nutballs
alex
The Clinton’s have once again cheated to make themselves look better. Who would want those immoral people back in the white house. GOD FORBID!
Gee, why am I not surprised with the actions of Bill and evil Hillary and the Clinton News Network and their staff of ameteurs. CNN lacks the class and integrity which is the primary reason for the continued decline in their viewing audience. As for Hillary and Bill, their actions are more reason to despise them and their all too familiar trademarks of deceit and evil doing.
Being a political and conservative blogger, we were all over this last night and on through today. So far we have uncovered many more plants…..all associated with the Democratic party.
Of course, Clinton and her plant….but also Obama, Edwards, staffers, interns, the list keeps growing and the digging in the garden continues.
CNN had to have known…..someone set this up….General Kerr was flown to Florida with his flight paid for by CNN. Many are responsible for this, they had hoped they would not have been caught. CNN is not called by accident but for the truth, Clinton’s News Network. It is way too obvious.
I guess I’m surprised the Anderson Cooper didn’t express his pro-Clinton loyalties and that of most of the CNN pundits in this “debate” up front. He staged his plants quite well and surprised most everyone. But Hillary is the one that came out on top and made even slick Willie look second rate. She got to slam the U.S. Military with a “San Francisco Light Brigadier”. Must have made her proud.
What is our country coming to? I thought perhaps the democrats would cool down their backwards bickering. It really makes them look silly. Always whining, pointing fingers and degrading our country’s image. Please, democrats, I beg of you. Act professional, Act honest, Act a grown up.
If you’re defending CNN, or the acts of the people posing and lying about their formal affiliations in the debate process, or trying to justify it, then you’re letting your partisanship define your ethics. Get bent.
CNN had a responsibility to show integrity to the debates and democratic process and failed. This was not the first issue with their bias. CNN selected the framework, pre-screened the questions, and selected Kerr from the Audience. It was not a random process. CNN had a responsibility to determine if Kerr and any others had any formal affiliations with opposing parties and/or candidates.
The issue is not the validity of the questions posed (though CNN could have done better in the selection much of content). The issue is what CNN and these people misrepresenting themselves have done to the integrity of the democratic process in this country by either lying about or failing to disclose their affiliations.
CNN’s actions were irresponsible and reprehensible. Mrs. Cooper and the senior executives at CNN owe the American people a formal apology. And those people who misrepresented themselves just for the opportunity to frame questions for the candidates need to have their formal affiliations severed or least reassessed.
– Democrat and disgusted.
Ted Turner’s former news agency shows it’s colors. I am Canadian, but it seems pathetic to me that the Dems are trying so be so low. It makes me happy, in the fact, that their polls must be showing their numbers falling, so they need to us CNN to help them appear to be the majority.
On another note, I am so fed up of activists, and the press time they get, that I refuse to listen to anymore, no matter what their cause is. I am just sick of hearing from them. They (even in Canada) represent such small groups, that we spend way too much time tripping over ourselves to appease them. And I care even less if some celebrity gets involved, as I consider Celebrity simply good looking freaks – Britney/ Lohan train recks to name a few, or Billianare Rock Stars running around telling average citizens to send more of their hard earned money to help some cause. Why don’t they live on what the average citizen lives on, and give the rest away themselves.
Sorry for venting. I am just sick of them.
[...] Read the Clinton campaign release naming Kerr to the steering committee [...]