Today, in an interview with Robin Roberts of ABC News, President Barack Obama came out in favor of same sex marriage (video below). In recent days, this issue has become particularly politically sensitive, as we all know. On Sunday, on Meet the Press, Vice President Biden announced his support for same sex marriage, which administration officials immediately said was his own personal belief, and not that of the administration. Then, yesterday, North Carolina voters resoundingly approved an amendment to the state’s constitution banning marriage between same sex couples.
During the interview, Obama claimed that he has been evolving on the issue, that everyone should be treated equally on it. However, until now, he hesitated on the subject of marriage, since he thought that civil unions would sufficiently address many of the problems same sex couples face. He also said that the concept of marriage itself is important to many people opposed to same sex marriage. However, he said that he thought now was a time for him to affirm his support for same sex marriage since he believes that a lot of people are still infringed upon by the lack of its legality.
With the passage of the North Carolina amendment yesterday, now 30 states have laws on the books mandating that marriage is between one man and one woman. When Mitt Romney today was asked about this, he said that he supports some aspects of equality, but still rejects same sex marriage.
Why did Obama speak out now? Well, perhaps the off handed comment by Biden as well as some other administration officials, forced his hand, to some extent. Also, he probably knew that North Carolina voters would vote the way that they did, so he did not want to announce prior to that election. If he had, then the vote would have been regarded as a rejection of himself.
What is the political calculus for November? Voters who are most likely to be opposed to same sex marriage are those who are over 55, live in the Bible Belt, or are African-American. For the first two groups, Obama is not likely to get much support in the general election regardless of his position on this issue; for African-Americans, regardless of what he does, he will probably get their vote, if they vote. That is his big problem. How can he get African-Americans to vote in numbers like they did in 2008 in the Midwest and in states like Pennsylvania and Virginia?
What does he gain by this? Well, younger voters have lost much of their enthusiasm for him. This action may induce them to support him more rabidly, or at least get them to cast their ballots. Also, knowing that Romney may be able to compete financially with his campaign, Obama may want to get some of his wealthy supporters to contribute more money.
Here’s the video of the interview:
May 9th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
He personally endorsed gay marriage but is fine with leaving it up to the states, which puts him on par with Richard Nixon’s views about interracial marriage in the 1960s. Leave it up to the states is what a politician says when he is cornered.
May 10th, 2012 at 3:37 am
Obama raised over a million dollars within 90 minutes of the news being broken. One-sixth of his ‘bundlers’ for his campaign are gay. Biden’s interview with David Gregory happened last Friday, giving Team Obama several days to map out a strategy of deflection, raising issues other than the economy, which sucks so bad.
May 10th, 2012 at 10:50 am
Leave it up to the states is what a politician says when he is cornered.
Wait– isn’t this the Republican Mantra on everything?
May 10th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
top demanding to be” treated like everyone else”,whining and crying, disrupting others rights, destroying property, making spectacles of yourselves because you feel your attention is undeserved and then throw pride party’s up and down every street , or having rallies celebrating and partying because you’re “not like everyone else”.
Cant have it both ways.
I believe in civil unions of same sex partners being legislated no different than marriage. But you dont get to be called “married”
We’ve got much bigger problems right now than someone not being called what they want.
I’ll make a deal with all you same sex marriage proponents.
If you can do the most wonderful thing ever….” procreate”, ya know, make fresh new people who one day will die protecting all the rights you “do” have ?
If you can contribute to the “be fruitful and multiply” thing will vote for any title you want.
Fair enough ?