Obama's Church Draft

It's time to rack up black voters in the South.

To do that, you got to have a passion for good music, soul food and know how to shout Hallelujah. In the mostly conservative state of South Carolina, presidential hopeful and Democratic candidate Barack Obama is hoping to grasp the attention of black voters, conservatives and to raise monies for his campaign. This is really needed for Obama's campaign since fellow Democratic champion Hillary Clinton, according to polls, possesses a substantial lead over Obama in the early voting state. With hopes of gaining voters, his Outreach team has organized a 3-city gospel tour called "Embrace The Change" for the state featuring big name gospel artists including Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Beverly Crawford, Deitrick Haddon, Hezekiah Walker, the Mighty Clouds of Joy and Donnie McClurkin.

The tour sounds almost too good to be true - especially since it seems like manna from heaven will be falling on South Carolina. But Obama might have crossed the wrong line with gay/lesbian supporters. The buzz, all over the Internet, media resources and in the news publications, have mentioned that a gay rights group has asked Obama to drop Donnie McClurkin from the gospel tour who it says spreads false information about homosexuality being a choice and claim that the popular gospel singer preaches messages of homophobia.

"I don't believe that it is the intention of God," McClurkin said Monday in a telephone interview. "Sexuality, everything is a matter of choice."

In a statement, Obama said he believes gays and lesbians are "our brothers and sisters" and should be afforded the same respect, dignity and rights granted all other citizens.

"I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country," Obama said. "I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as president of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

The statement did not say whether McClurkin will still perform on the tour.

After the heat has been raised on Obama's next move regarding McClurkin's involvement in his campaign, two questions may be raised: "Will he fall down?" and "Can he get back up again?"

The following information includes the announced tour dates and locations:

October 26, 2007
Gospel performances by:
Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Beverly Crawford
GENERAL ADMISSION $10
DOORS OPEN at 7:00PM
North Charleston Performing Arts Center
5001 Coliseum Drive North Charleston, SC 29418
http://www.sc.barackobama.com/embrace26

October 27, 2007
Gospel performances by:
Byron Cage, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Vanessa Bell Armstrong
GENERAL ADMISSION $10
DOORS OPEN at 7:00PM
Greenwood Civic Center
1620 Hwy 72 221 E. Greenwood, SC 29649
http://www.sc.barackobama.com/embrace27

October 28, 2007
Gospel performances by:
Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Deitrick Haddon, Mighty Clouds of Joy
GENERAL ADMISSION $10
DOORS OPEN at 5:00PM
The Township Auditorium
1703 Taylor Street Columbia, SC 29202
http://www.sc.barackobama.com/embrace28

[OBAMA RAMMA]
Group to Obama: Drop McClurkin From Tour (AP)
Obama Criticized Over Singer (New York Times)
Barack Obama (Official Website)
Barack Obama (Official MySpace Page)
Donnie McClurkin (Official Website)
Truth Wins Out (Official Website)