Obama and Gay Marriage

[andruw000]

I am very proud of Obama for taking a public stance on gay marriage. I think it took a lot of courage for him to admit that he supports gay marriage. I also think that this is a pivotal moment in the history of gay rights and years from now this will be one of the things that Obama is most remembered for.

That said, I don't understand all of the people who believe this was politically motivated. Whose support did he gain that he didn't already have? If anything, he lost votes for championing gay marriage. The only rational I've heard that makes sense is that he did it to re-energize his fan base. Am I naive to think that he simply wanted to do what he believed to be right?

Thoughts?

[greenhorn1]

Am I naive to think that he simply wanted to do what he believed to be right?

Thoughts?

Unfortunately, I think so. I don't think there's any chance in hell Obama would have came out in favor of gay marriage right now if he hadn't been forced to respond to Biden's comments. I also think that he's looking at Romney as an opponent and looking at the votes he will lose by coming out for gay marriage (not many as most people against gay marriage are pretty likely to vote for romney anyway) vs. how many votes he might gain by as you say "re-energizing his fan base"

But maybe I'm just cynical.

EDIT: for the record, it's also one of the very few things he's done since being elected that comes close to living up to the promise he showed as a candidate pre-election. I don't know that it will necessarily change anything, but it's a step in the right direction and hopefully it helps to speed along progress towards true equal rights.

[andruw000]

OK, perhaps the timing of the comment was a strategic play, but I actually believe that he supports gay marriage. That, in and of itself, commands respect.

[machination]

It's one of those things where, when you first hear it, you think, "Really? Someone hasn't said that before?"

It's an important statement to make whether or not it's 100% politically motivated.

[john38103]

It's the right thing to do. People can argue about the minutiae but he still did it. That counts for something.

[fnord]

Read this interesting salon article yesterday

http://www.salon.com/2012/05/14/our_rea ... president/

[PLUSH]

As in many things, it is all about MONEY

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/05 ... for-obama/

[AttorneyGreg]

It's one of those things where, when you first hear it, you think, "Really? Someone hasn't said that before?"

It's an important statement to make whether or not it's 100% politically motivated.

+1

[john38103]

As in many things, it is all about MONEY

This argument is impressively stupid. Pretending being the first president to take this step isn't courageous is ridiculous. It's isn't an easy stand to take since this is one of the last semi socially acceptable forms of bigotry. If fundraising played a part so be it but there is no way that is the only factor.*

*I didn't read the Fox link so if it said something ingenious I apologize.

[lazk]

It is 90% Political & 10% Money.

Biden FORCED his hand faster than they wanted to announce this.

Now Jay-Z is down with it, who is the next world leader to jump on the bandwagon?

I am all for the Gays to have equal rights but this is all about the votes.

4 years ago it was the youth and this campaign year it will be the gays... IMO.

[lazk]

*I didn't read the Fox link so if it said something ingenious I apologize.

I LOVE comments like this. Let me guess, you would read the MSNBC link?

It is almost impossible to find news that doesn't lean one direction. So annoying.

[john38103]

*I didn't read the Fox link so if it said something ingenious I apologize.

I LOVE comments like this. Let me guess, you would read the MSNBC link?

It is almost impossible to find news that doesn't lean one direction. So annoying.

I rarely click on people's stupid f-ucking links in a conversation where I'm more interested in their personal views. If he cut and paste it I would have at least skimmed it. So you can suck it. How you love that?

[PLUSH]

As in many things, it is all about MONEY

This argument is impressively stupid. Pretending being the first president to take this step isn't courageous is ridiculous. It's isn't an easy stand to take since this is one of the last semi socially acceptable forms of bigotry. If fundraising played a part so be it but there is no way that is the only factor.*

*I didn't read the Fox link so if it said something ingenious I apologize.

That only comes down to what is the definition of marriage is and whether it is a religious or state process. If marriage was originally done as a religious ceremony, that the state later recognized, then how is it bigotry? This, like many things has become blurred by certain groups, about what the definition of things like marriage, the family, abortion/pro-life/pro-choice, immigration, gay rights. It all sounds good and noble. It is like prayers, something that not always used, but when the shit hits the fan, they are certainly asking for prayers, or offering.

[lazk]

*I didn't read the Fox link so if it said something ingenious I apologize.

I LOVE comments like this. Let me guess, you would read the MSNBC link?

It is almost impossible to find news that doesn't lean one direction. So annoying.

I rarely click on people's stupid f-ucking links in a conversation where I'm more interested in their personal views. If he cut and paste it I would have at least skimmed it. So you can suck it. How you love that?

lol. I literally laughed when I read your response. If it was just a link, then you would have not added the Fox part. It is ok. Calm down Donkey...says the Elephant.

[PLUSH]

*I didn't read the Fox link so if it said something ingenious I apologize.

I LOVE comments like this. Let me guess, you would read the MSNBC link?

It is almost impossible to find news that doesn't lean one direction. So annoying.

I rarely click on people's stupid f-ucking links in a conversation where I'm more interested in their personal views. If he cut and paste it I would have at least skimmed it. So you can suck it. How you love that?

Suck it, wow it that like a gay thing?