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Obama on Gay Marriage: 'Evolving,' Warming

President may be considering an endorsement of the issue

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 19, 2011 10:54 AM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama was in favor of gay marriage before Senator Obama was against it, and now President Obama is again considering the issue, having said publicly that his views are "evolving." Obama will headline a pair of events for the gay community in coming weeks, and as he ramps up his re-election campaign, the White House is exploring the political realities of a sitting president endorsing same-sex marriage, reports the New York Times.

Obama isn't under huge pressure from the gay community, having yanked the legal carpet out from under the Defense of Marriage Act and championed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal. But with public support shifting in favor of gay marriage, the timing might be right for a president whose stance appears to be shifting from what's politically pragmatic to what is morally just. “This is clearly a president who is interested in making big historical changes,” says a strategist. “I think this issue has moved into that context for him.”

President Obama waves as he prepares to speak at the Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater, Tuesday, May 10, 2011, in Austin, Texas.
President Obama waves as he prepares to speak at the Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater, Tuesday, May 10, 2011, in Austin, Texas.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
President Obama signs don't ask, don't tell repeal legislation that would allow gays to serve openly in the military, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010.
President Obama signs "don't ask, don't tell" repeal legislation that would allow gays to serve openly in the military, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., an openly gay member of Congress, collects himself during President Obama's signing ceremony for don't ask, don't tell repeal legislation.
Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., an openly gay member of Congress, collects himself during President Obama's signing ceremony for "don't ask, don't tell" repeal legislation.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
In this Nov. 15, 2010, file photo Lt. Dan Choi, center, and others handcuff themselves to the White House fence to protest that President Obama keep his promise to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
In this Nov. 15, 2010, file photo Lt. Dan Choi, center, and others handcuff themselves to the White House fence to protest that President Obama keep his promise to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 116 comments
kokuaguy
Jun 23, 2011 3:45 AM CDT
Every society evolves, and unfortunately for us all, our leaders are usually the last ones to do it. Obama owes it to the Democratic Party to get himself re-elected. Period. He's not going to be at the forefront of those advocating ending the War On Drugs, pushing for Socialized Medicine, or supporting gay marriage. It is up to us who feel strongly to create the movement that will force the President to get on board with these things. The primary job of the POTUS is to defend the nation as Commander in Chief and to see that the laws are faithfully executed.
kokuaguy
Jun 23, 2011 3:42 AM CDT
Every society evolves, and unfortunately for us all, our leaders are usually the last ones to do it. Obama owes it to the Democratic Party to get himself re-elected. Period. He's not going to be at the forefront of those advocating ending the War On Drugs, pushing for Socialized Medicine, or supporting gay marriage. It is up to us who feel strongly to create the movement that will force the President to get on board with these things. The primary job of the POTUS is to defend the nation as Commander in Chief and to see that the laws are faithfully executed. Period.
HarryBeaver
Jun 20, 2011 7:44 AM CDT
Election coming up and he has done nothing but crap on the progressives for three years.  I guess he figures he can peel away a few Log Cabin Republicans with this move.

 
gay rights • gay marriage • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • President Obama • same-sex marriage • Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal • DADT

 
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