When he was in the throes of his most recent divorce, Rudy Giuliani, lived with a long-term gay couple. At the time, he said that if New York passed gay marriage, he would preside at their marriage. This week, he announced his support for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

While in the Illinois Senate, and a U.S. Senator, Barack Obama has walked a careful middle road, not supporting gay marriage, but supporting civil unions and non-discrimination laws which include sexual orientation. But now, with his poll numbers very low among African-American Christians in key states, he has announced a three-day tour of South Carolina with gospel singing evangelist Donnie McClurkin, an alleged "ex-gay" who three years ago, declared "war" on gays, launching an effort to "cure" America's sexually confused children. McClurkin has never repudiated those positions, and in fact, was a featured speaker at the 2004 Republican National Convention. By so closely associating himself with McClurkin, and refusing to publicly distance himself from McClurkin's positions, despite requests from many that he do so, Obama has demonstrated what President Clinton did in his first term must still be S.O.P.--sacrifice gay American's to pander to religious conservatives. I expected better of Senator Obama. I await action from his campaign.

UPDATE: In a statement released today, Obama said:

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of 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 of our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country. 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."