Obama praises New York on same-sex marriage but won't endorse it


By James Oliphant June 29, 2011, 9:51 a.m.

While saying that gays and lesbians deserve to be “treated like all Americans,” President Obama at a press conference Wednesday came short of endorsing gay marriage.

“I’m not going to make news on that today,” Obama joked in response to a question on where he stands on the issue. (Laughter)

He's playing political games.

It's just like the NLRB case vs. Boeing. He wants to avoid taking a position. This will make him look weak and neither side will care for him in the end.

(06-29-2011 01:12 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  He's playing political games.

It's Obama... Political games is about all he has...

he's playing politics...he knows he's done enough to ensure he gets the gay vote...but he can still claim he is opposed to homosexual marriage to the "traditional family" types.

from now on, everything is gear-up for 2012.

(06-29-2011 01:20 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  he's playing politics...he knows he's done enough to ensure he gets the gay vote...but he can still claim he is opposed to homosexual marriage to the "traditional family" types.

from now on, everything is gear-up for 2012.

Weren't you one of the biggest HopeChangers on the board in '08? I see you've at least come to the realization that O is just the same as most other politicians.

I really like Obama...but I'm not going to pretend he's perfect...I don't like his politicking on gay marriage or his stance on gun rights...but he's pretty much stayed out of those debates and taken a "pick your battles" type mentality.

(06-29-2011 01:35 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  I really like Obama...but I'm not going to pretend he's perfect...I don't like his politicking on gay marriage or his stance on gun rights...but he's pretty much stayed out of those debates and taken a "pick your battles" type mentality.

I support Obama as well, but there are instances when I disagree with him completely, and this is one of those moments.

It's clear he's made a political calculation of one of the following:

1 - his support of gay marriage would do more harm than good at this point.

Possibly true; many Libertarian and Tea Party types who really don't care about gay marriage, or who even support it as a states rights or individual liberty issue, loathe Obama. Would his support for Gay Marriage make the issue more about Obama and less about marriage equality, and if so would that generate more passionate opposition from those who currently are mainly on the sidelines? Who knows. Public opinion in support of gay marriage is steadily rising; introducing an unknown calculus - Obama's specific support - could change that. Maybe it helps, maybe it hurts.

2 - He feels his re-election chances could be damaged by supporting gay marriage, and if he's not re-elected then he won't be in position to advance gay rights.

Possibly true; many in the Hispanic and African-American communities are staunchly opposed to gay marriage; but would they abandon Obama in numbers sufficient to harm his election chances?

I think the answer to both of these questions ultimately is NO - that leadership from the White House would only help change the cultural tide in favor of gay marriage, and that his support would not harm his re-election chances. And the time has come for him to stand up for what is right - it's a matter of simple equality - and let the political chips fall where they may.

Obama has actually been pretty consistent on this issue for a while now. Even before he was elected to US senate he said that he supported gay marriage but would only leave it to the states to decide.

No need for the Big O to step on this mine in the mine field. I love how he's beating the GOP with the ol' rope a dope.

(06-29-2011 02:11 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  I love how he's beating the GOP with the ol' rope a dope.

We'll see. The end results are what is ultimately important.

But I'd love a principled stand on what is right.

(06-29-2011 02:11 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  No need for the Big O to step on this mine in the mine field. I love how he's beating the GOP with the ol' rope a dope.

1. What does "this mine" symbolize? The politics of "gay marriage"? Most liberals are now coming out in the open on this issue, convinced that the politics are in their favor. But maybe Obama knows something this fellow-liberals don't.

2. And anyway --purely from the standpoint of votes gained and votes lost -- Obama has already lost every vote he can lose on this issue. He might as well "step on this mine" and gain all the votes of the people who do agree him.

(06-29-2011 02:32 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(06-29-2011 02:11 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  No need for the Big O to step on this mine in the mine field. I love how he's beating the GOP with the ol' rope a dope.

1. What does "this mine" symbolize? The politics of "gay marriage"? Most liberals are now coming out in the open on this issue, convinced that the politics are in their favor. But maybe Obama knows something this fellow-liberals don't.

2. And anyway --purely from the standpoint of votes gained and votes lost -- Obama has already lost every vote he can lose on this issue. He might as well "step on this mine" and gain all the votes of the people who do agree him.

I don't think Gay Marriage will win or lose the election for him. I'm sure we all hope the avg. person would not vote based on such a small issue. The mine he needs to step on is the one marked "Economy".

(06-29-2011 03:05 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  

(06-29-2011 02:32 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(06-29-2011 02:11 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  No need for the Big O to step on this mine in the mine field. I love how he's beating the GOP with the ol' rope a dope.

1. What does "this mine" symbolize? The politics of "gay marriage"? Most liberals are now coming out in the open on this issue, convinced that the politics are in their favor. But maybe Obama knows something this fellow-liberals don't.

2. And anyway --purely from the standpoint of votes gained and votes lost -- Obama has already lost every vote he can lose on this issue. He might as well "step on this mine" and gain all the votes of the people who do agree him.

I don't think Gay Marriage will win or lose the election for him. I'm sure we all hope the avg. person would not vote based on such a small issue. The mine he needs to step on is the one marked "Economy".

BOOM