A Super Duper Tuesday in Bushwick

As a native Granite Stater, I often take for granted my vote actually counted for something. I voted in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in both 2000 (for U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)) and 2004 (for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.) And moving to New York State, I thought it would not matter as much -- but I was wrong at least this year.

I proudly voted for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) yesterday here in Bushwick and while my arguably over-romanticized description may have held true in other primary cycles, Super Tuesday marked the first time in decades voters in New York and other states could have arguably influenced the process by which their respective parties choose their nominee for president. No small task as various pundits and others have pointed out time and time again today.

The campaign is far from over, however, as candidates continue to cross the country in search of votes. American voters -- at least those in the more than 30 states who have already voted or caucused -- can arguably take a sigh of relief the campaigns have moved onto someone else's backyard. But the games will obviously continue as one of the most important campaigns in history moves forward. Enjoy!

LGBT Voters Debate the Candidates, Issues

With voters in nearly two dozen states going to the polls on the media-dubbed Super (and even Duper) Tuesday next week, this writer found today's article on gay Democrats in the New York Times particularly interesting. The movement for LGBT rights collectively recalls how social conservatives successfully used marriage for same-sex couples to drive their supporters to the polls in 2004. The scene at the LGBT Community Center in lower Manhattan was one of despair and even emotional devastation as this writer recalls his coverage of that night for the New York Blade. This election cycle seems vastly different as LGBT activists and pundits express optimism at the three leading Democratic candidates who support the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' a bill which would add sexual orientation to the federal non-discrimination laws and opposition to the so-called Federal Marriage Amendment.

Neither U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or former U.S. Sen. John Edwards support marriage for gays and lesbians but to assume LGBT voters would determine their support of a particular candidate based on one issue is simply foolish and arguably insulting. LGBT voters, like many Americans, concern themselves with pocketbook issues, the war in Iraq and other so-called mainstream issues that arguably transcend political affiliation or partisan politics. The fact LGBT issues have not dominated the political discourse of this campaign cycle is certainly no coincidence with a struggling economy, an unpopular war and other issues. But LGBT voters, such as those profiled in the Times and others across the country, will continue to make their choices. Some will undoubtedly focus on LGBT issues while others may choose to look at the bigger picture... let the games really begin!