The evolution is complete. President Obama disclosed in a television interview recorded Wednesday that he had changed his long-standing position, a move that should satisfy (at least for now) a Democratic base that was growing frustrated with him over the controversial social issue.
ABC News
In an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, the president described his thought process as an “evolution” that led him to this decision, based on conversations with his staff members, openly gay and lesbian service members, and his wife and daughters.
“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together; when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama told Roberts in an interview to appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Thursday.
Excerpts of the interview will air tonight on ABC’s “World News With Diane Sawyer.”
The president stressed that this is a personal position, and that he still supports the concept of states’ deciding the issue on their own. But he said he’s confident that more Americans will grow comfortable with gays and lesbians getting married, citing his own daughters’ attitude toward the concept.
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Obama’s announcement came one day after North Carolina voted to ban same-sex marriage. —TEB
A Cooler Century? Wait and See
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By Steve E, May 9, 2012 at 8:25 pm Link to this comment
Yes, Barry has finally seen the light. I’m sure this has absolutely nothing to do with
Report thisan upcoming election. Onward oh Commander in Chief, keep up the good work
and apply your leadership skills on those never ending wars, empire building,
torture, civil liberties, habeas corpus, assassinations, and cuddling banksters.
Amen.
By vector56, May 9, 2012 at 3:58 pm Link to this comment
I happen to walk pass a radio tuned to what now passes as “Progressive” talk; Randi (Obamabot) Rhodes was going on, eating up the “low hanging fruit” of Gay Marriage and how Obama and the Democrats were much better on this subject than the Republicans.
As serious as the subject of “equal rights under the law is when it comes to marriage, it pales in comparison to the things they refuse to talk about.
The killing of human beings (citizens and non-citizens) without Due Process is a subject these Obamabots avoid like the plague!
Consider a time when America banned Interracial marriage; Blacks and Whites in the same bed!
Now, what if at the same time it was “legal” to kill Black people without a trial (lynching); which do you think would be more important to Black people; the right to marry Whitey, or the right to Due Process?
Report thisBy Jeff N., May 9, 2012 at 3:52 pm Link to this comment
Nothing like a good wedge issue to fire up the democratic faithful, you’re one slippery bastard Barry.
Report thisBy jimmmmmy, May 9, 2012 at 3:14 pm Link to this comment
Obamas a phoney , hitting all the bases like any pol. in a tough election. In a democracy the governments at all levels should have no position on sexual orientation or preference. As Pierre Trudeau quipped ,tongue in cheek, the government has no business in the bedroom or the boardroom.
Report thisBy IMax, May 9, 2012 at 2:17 pm Link to this comment
About time.
We’ll hope that as President Mr. Obama will be unable to again equivocate on this issue.
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