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Obama Leads From Behind on Gay Marriage, Too

His position makes no sense, and isn't changing: Dana Milbank

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2011 1:37 PM CDT

(Newser) – Hillary Clinton fell over herself congratulating her home state on its “historic vote” in favor of gay marriage this week. “I’ve always believed that we would make progress because we were on the right side of equality and justice,” she declared. “Clinton left out one salient detail though,” writes Dana Milbank of the Washington Post: “She and her boss, President Obama, oppose legalizing gay marriage.” They say they believe gay couples should be equal, yet oppose giving them the 1,300 federal benefits straight couples enjoy.

“For Obama, this is less about the issue than about leadership,” Milbank argues. “If Obama really believes, as he says, that a class of Americans is suffering unconstitutional discrimination, you’d think he would take a stand.” Instead sources say he’s unlikely to change his tune between now and the 2012 election. “And so the contradiction will persist—as will the fog in Foggy Bottom,” and Obama will continue, to borrow a phrase, “leading from behind.”

Dozens of gay rights protesters demonstrate outside the Beverly Hills hotel, where Barack Obama attended a Democratic Party fundraiser, May 27, 2009.
Dozens of gay rights protesters demonstrate outside the Beverly Hills hotel, where Barack Obama attended a Democratic Party fundraiser, May 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Gay rights advocate Booker Garrett of Manhattan chants slogans during a rally for same-sex marriage in New York.
Gay rights advocate Booker Garrett of Manhattan chants slogans during a rally for same-sex marriage in New York.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 30 comments
JackNelsonSteward
Jun 30, 2011 10:07 AM CDT
What's the big foofaraw about "leading from behind?" How many generals stormed the beach at Normandy? C'mon ... LOT's of leadership is from "behind." By the way ,,, whose characterization is "fell all over herself"? Did she trip on the way to the dais? Is that "reporting" or "editorializing?"
MDD
Jun 30, 2011 4:06 AM CDT
"Obama Leads From "Behind" on Gay Marriage" So he's a Pitcher not a Catcher?
guvner
Jun 30, 2011 1:44 AM CDT
They're feeling the poll trends. In some respects HRC is a much more experienced and wiser politician than the Obama.
 

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