Obama backer jokes: "we may give San Francisco to Canada"

Fightin' words from San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsom (San Fran Chron):

...just four years ago, current Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is said to have declined to have his picture taken in San Francisco with Newsom, who was then at the center of a national uproar over his decision to allow same-sex marriage in San Francisco.

"I gave a fundraiser, at his (Obama's) request at the Waterfront restaurant," said former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. "And he said to me, he would really appreciate it if he didn't get his photo taken with my mayor. He said he would really not like to have his picture taken with Gavin."
[...]
"He was pissed," said one former staffer.

In fact, early last year, Newsom alluded to the incident in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking to Reuters on Jan. 26, 2007, Newsom was asked about three potential Democratic candidates: Obama, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.

He was asked about the flak he took after announcing that San Francisco would allow same-sex marriages - flak that included claims he had helped Republicans by handing them a wedge issue heading into a presidential election year. In the interview, Newsom admitted he'd been hammered over the decision. "And I'm not just saying from Republicans," he added at the time.

"One of the three Democrats you mentioned as presidential candidates, as God is my witness, will not be photographed with me, will not be in the same room with me," Newsom told Reuters, "even though I've done fundraisers for that particular person - not once, but twice - because of this issue."

Classy, eh? If you think this was an isolated incident, recall Obama's autumn courtship with homophobic preacher, Donnie McClurkin.

Mr. McClurkin, a black preacher who sang at the Republican National Convention in 2004, has gained notoriety for his view that homosexuality is a choice and can be “cured” through prayer, a view ridiculed by gay people.

Ridiculed by gay people? How 'bout "ridiculed by anyone with a fucking brain?!" Obama defended himself thusly:

Mr. Obama said through a spokesman that he “strongly disagrees” with Mr. McClurkin’s views. He did not indicate he would cancel Mr. McClurkin’s appearance, but said, “I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts of our community so that we can confront issues like H.I.V./AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.”

I still don't like it. I don't think you give bigots like McClurkin a seat at the table. You don't stand with them and sing-along. You do not clap in time to their odious music.

You know what? I had nearly forgotten about the McClurkin thing until this morning, when I read about Newsom.

But the ever-merciful kitty will let Obama's camp have the last word. Here's how they responded to Newsom's damning anecdote (via Ben Smith):

Fumes a high-level Obama backer: "He is never going to serve in our administration, and we may give San Francisco to Canada."