Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama got in trouble with some liberals, and gay/lesbian groups in particular, for inviting an “ex-gay” gospel singer (see New York Times) to perform at a South Carolina rally designed to help Obama catch up to Hillary Clinton among religious African-American voters. Obama distanced himself from singer Donnie McClurkin’s views on gay issues, but McClurkin stirred up the controversy at the event itself by announcing that he had been “delivered” from homosexuality. (See Pam’s House Blend for some reaction from the gay community.)

I’m not going to take sides on this other than to observe that this is a common trap for a candidate who is lagging in the polls. In order to be a credible challenger to Clinton in the upcoming primaries, Obama must make a special effort to increase his support in both the black and gay communities, in part to compensate for Clinton’s seemingly insurmountable lead in other demographic groups (such as older, working-class women). But there’s no way to make a special appeal to religiously conservative black Southerners without arousing the suspicions of secular, urban gay voters — and vice versa.

As frontrunner, Clinton has the luxury of steering clear of explicit pitches to subgroups within the Democratic Party. As someone who has to broaden his appeal beyond his base of highly educated, younger men, Obama may find himself painted into a corner, unable to go in any direction without arousing the ire of voters that he badly needs. That would be an ironic outcome for his “change” campaign.