I tend to blast single-issue voters, in large part because I think voters, myself included, tend to magnify negatives over positives. This is probably a topic for another post, so I won’t go into that here.

I bring the single issue up because I’m about to slam Barack Obama’s campaign and suggest that Democratic primary voters vote for a different candidate. Ostensibly, this will seem to be about his campaign’s appalling handling of the McClurkin appearance. So, it’s a single issue, gay rights thing, right?

Wrong. Look, I don’t think Obama is a bigot, nor do I think his campaign is going to suddenly flip-flop on the issue of gay rights. He’s been consistent on that front (in favor of civil unions).

Rather, this violates two of my rules for this election. The first is that liberalism to me is about living and letting live when it comes to private matters. In other words, let people live the lives they choose as long as it doesn’t harm others. Endorsing a “converted” homosexual and giving him a platform upon which to berate the choices of others violates that very core belief.

Even worse, though, is violating the most important rule for the 2008 election: The campaign must demonstrate a minimal competency when it comes to nuanced issues. We have had an Administration to whom every problem is a nail and the only tool they have is a hammer. In Obama’s case, his campaign has made soft bigotry a common element, and this demonstrates an inability to understand their voters and the campaign dynamic. Considering that this is their job, I can’t excuse this. The stupid report making fun of Indian-Americans should’ve said a lot right there, but to wade out into an obviously politically charged issue without an answer ready is naive.

I don’t want to buy into the “he’s naive” narrative (I’m not), but Obama doesn’t get a pass from me anymore. That was a great speech he gave in 2004, perhaps the best political speech I’ve ever heard, but talk doesn’t measure up to actions and so far, Obama has fallen short. I’ll vote for him and support his campaign if he wins the nomination, but until then, I really suggest people look to the other Democrats in the primary. There are too many good choices to simply elect this guy on his character. Substance matters.

Update: Edited out parts of the first paragraph that made no sense.