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A little help, please?

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Illinois

First lady Michelle Obama will make a visit to Manhattan’s Park Ave. on May 29 for an exclusive LGBT reception, headlined by singer Sara Bareilles and NBA star Jason Collins, to benefit the Democratic National Committee.

Tickets to the 5 p.m. event, which is being hosted by the LGBT Leadership Council, are scaled from $32,400 to $1,250 apiece. Bareilles is expected to perform her new song “Brave” (from the forthcoming album The Blessed Unrest) which has become an anthem for gays struggling with coming out.

So, she can attend a swank LBGT event but not get involved in helping to pass a gay marriage bill in her home state?

No offense to the First Lady, but priorities, please.

* Then again, as a gay marriage lobster told me yesterday, a few stern words to recalcitrant members from Speaker Madigan might do a whole lot more to pass the bill than any phone call from FLOTUS.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:27 am

Comments

They tend not to get involved in state issues when they are concerned they might lose.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:32 am
And, at the end of the day, raising money may be more important to the LGBT cause than a few press releases and or phone calls. As Bloomberg is showing, often you can accomplish a lot more by raising and spending money on elections/issues than by personally lobbying electeds.

Comment by Empty Chair Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:33 am
I think the White House has enough on its plate without shoving its way into state level policy debates/politics. No advisor of any worth would let the President or FLOTUS anywhere near this.

Comment by ILPundit Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:36 am
I would think a few words could provide some cover for lawmakers concerned about the ministers’ opposition.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:37 am
Tickets were originally $32,400? Hope that’s a typo!

Comment by ??? Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:37 am
During a weekend talk radio gabfest, one guest on Bruce Dumont’s program mentioned the cynical fact that it may be more beneficial for the Democrats to keep the pot boiling and not pass SSM during this session of the legislature. Gay donors could be pressed for more campaign cash, etc., in return for a renewed legislative full court press later on.

Bottom line: if Madigan wanted this law enacted badly enough — it would have been done already. Apparently, he is in no hurry.

Comment by Spinning Top Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:37 am
=They tend not to get involved in state issues when they are concerned they might lose.=
No, they tend to get involved when they know they have a win!

Comment by Downstater Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:43 am
She is helping. She’s raising money.

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:48 am
I still believe that the President will be making phone calls to members while in Chicago for his fundraiser.

Comment by Namaste Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:55 am
Her title is FLOTUS, not FLOIL, and she famously hates politics. Can you imagine her calling Monique Davis? What is that conversation going to be like? Would it be a nice gesture? Maybe. Would it be effective? Doubtful.

Regardless of what happens with marriage equality in Illinois this session, unless and until DOMA is repealed, it will be fairly meaningless. DOMA is the target and I think she and her husband understand that, which is why she’s raising money in New York.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:56 am
===Can you imagine her calling Monique Davis? ===

I don’t think anybody would ever ask her to make that call. It would be useless.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 10:59 am
Monique Davis isn’t the First Lady of the United States? Oops! My mistake. Need to get the eyeglasses fixed.

Comment by Spinning Top Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 11:00 am
I tend to agree with the guest on Dumont’s show Spinning Top mentioned. I know it’s tough, but if the Speaker wanted to move it, we all have seen that done.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 11:06 am
Passing same sex marriage this week would certainly stir the pot nicely headed into this Saturday’s vote for new IL GOP chair.

Comment by too obvious Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 11:06 am
The NY event is a fundraiser, need I say more?

Comment by Harry Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 11:12 am
Just one Republican vote for marriage equality in the Senate, and two projected in the House. If this issue is still being debated by next year’s general election, that wouldn’t help the GOP pick up either legislative seats or the governor’s mansion.

Comment by reformer Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 11:17 am
What Spinning Top said - why even waste time wondering what Madigan has the stroke to get passed, especially if there’s no veto to worry about?

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 12:31 pm
If she’s raising money for LGBT stuff she could raise it for, like, LGBT stuff. No offense to the DNC.

Like an IE to primary all the nays or something.

Comment by Will Caskey Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 12:37 pm
I don’t care that Collins came out, but calling him an NBA Star with a career average of 3.6 points per game is a bit of a stretch.

Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 12:56 pm
I would think any House members who can be swayed by the First Lady are on her call list.

Comment by wndycty Tuesday, May 28, 13 @ 4:42 pm