However, I want to go a dwell on the decision to pull the resolution a little further than that. This was a lose-lose situation for the NAACP that was sure to hurt the organization and polarize it from two different factions: the far-left and the black relgious right.
If the resolution had failed, Bond would not only have been embarrassed and looked as if he was truly out of the loop in regards to black support (which he is), but he would also face the wrath of the white gay rights advocates which would have been calling for reform within the organization and pressured other left-wing organizations not to work with the NAACP, leaving the organization marginalized on the left side of the political spectrum.
But the resolution passing would have had dire consequences to the organization. Black churches all over the country would have sharply rebuked the NAACP. Considering the political importances of churches within black politics, in which a number of local NAACP chapters still meet at churches to this day, there's no doubt that the organization would be forced to do an about-face. Add the fact that the black community is overwhelmingly anti-gay, and it would be the mortal wound that ends the organization.
In Washington politics, the media has taken notice of the "reincarnation", so to speak, of the Religious Right, which consists of pastors and Christian organizations using their popularity in order to coerce politicians to support their causes and endorse some that are in line with their views. Much less has been written about the Black Religious Right, which have the potential to have more of an impact than their white counterparts, as they have more of a grassroots approach within the black community. The articles have focused primarily on how it could affect the presidential election, but not on how they could affect the positions of black politicians in key issues.
As their influence strengthens and their popularity grows, black politicial figures will face a dilemma. They will have to choose between the white leftist special interest groups that place money in their reelection campaigns and PACS and the churches that help scoop up enough people to vote for them on Election Day. Both sides are becoming more and more partisan in tone and aren't willing to compromise on certain values and principles that are sure to clash.
Sooner or later, those black politicians that have been enjoying easy reelection victories are going to find the cash getting smaller and the margins of victory even closer as both sides scrutinize them more each election year.
Hey; maybe they'll actually have to face legitimate opposition in their gerrymandered districts! Imagine that.