Aravosis launches all-or-nothing boycott of DNC

John Aravosis yesterday announced a gay donor boycott of the Democratic National Committee, and calls his effort Don't Ask, Don't Give. David Mixner this morning climbs aboard. Robin Tyler, Dan Savage, and Michaelangelo Signorile are among those supporting the effort. Aravosis writes:

It's really more of a "pause," than a boycott. Boycotts sounds so final, and angry. Whereas this campaign is temporary, and is only meant to help some friends - President Obama and the Democratic party - who have lost their way. We are hopeful that via this campaign, our friends will keep their promises.

So please sign the Petition and take a Pledge to no longer donate to the DNC, Organizing for America, or the Obama campaign until the President and the Democratic party keep their promises to the gay community, our families, and our friends....

We are asking voters to pledge to withhold contributions to the Democratic National Committee, Organizing for America, and the Obama campaign until the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is passed, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) is repealed, and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is repealed — all of which President Obama repeatedly promised to do if elected.

This is after the hate crimes bill has been signed into law, the regulatory HIV immigration ban has been lifted, Ryan White has been renewed, and ENDA has received hearings in both houses and is heading for action, possibly by the end of the year. Are those things enough? Of course not. But the effort by Aravosis et al. to "help some friends" is another salvo from the all-or-nothing crowd, and is absurdly counterproductive. Defeating Democrats because of our impatience will only help elect people who are much worse. This cleverly-named boycott is a snit, not a strategy.