Obama Announces Full Support for Gay Marriage

This is a BFD, as Biden would say

It's a historic day for America: Obama has just announced his support for gay marriage. He told ABC News:

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...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 is the first ever president to openly support gay marriage. The Huffington Post's Sam Stein calls Obama's statement "an act of political bravery." And perhaps it is, given that 50% of the electorate is against gay marriage. But Obama's stance probably won't have much direct legislative impact, Stein adds, given that most gay rights lawmaking is happening in states and in the courts.

You can watch Obama's full statement here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvWO465qAEc

What's your take on Obama's pro-gay marriage stance?

[ir0nw0lfe]

Not a surprise as this is going to be a key social issue for Obama to distract voters from his dismal economic policies. I guess the jobless will need to decide if they are better off now than they were 4 years ago, or if they would rather govt spend It's time working out the gay marriage issue than say, fixing the economy. Smoke and mirrors.

[BenvDictator]

It's a smart play for election season. While Romney taking a vicious anti-gay-marraige stance might play well in North Carolina, it will kill off the youth vote. I think Obama wins with this move.

[ir0nw0lfe]

I think he gets the same voting block that would have went for him anyways. The question is did he alienate the independents or the fence sitters who ate even mildly religious, basically all the red states and some of the swing states. We will have to see if this pays off. I heard 1 conservative lesbian state that it angered her that he suddenly changed his mind on the issue to get votes. Interesting.

[renee]

I think he is gonna stick to his word, cause he is not a flipp-flopper.

[BenvDictator]

But because he failed to deliver on so many other promises from 2008, he needs something else to motivate them (the youth vote) to show up on election day, otherwise they may support him, but forget to vote...

[BigPoppaPhat]

Im glad gay marriage will fix the economy, lower gas prices and taxes, help make the country become more energy independent and strengthen our national security! We need a gay marriage president to lead us into the Utopia the progressives envisioned for us!

[BigPoppaPhat]

I don't think Obama can legalize gay marriage by executive order, correct me if I'm wrong. Even if he was reelected for that reason, he'd have a tough time having a bill passed through the normal channels. I agree with ir0nwolf, its just another distraction from Obama failures.

[renee]

What are you talking about? Gay marriage is already legal in 7 states,whether if it's for political advantage or not that will be another of his so hated acomplishments by the republicans, since the vote right now for support nationwide is 50% in favor and 48% against, that's yet to be seen, but is going to be a very close vote from both sides.

[Elise]

It's about damn time, Barack. Now, let's get back to the real issues...

[ir0nw0lfe]

He can't. That's why he is starting to push these social issues as distractons. Stay tuned, more superfluous, non-controversies coming soon. I'm guessing we will on to the war on women and how the GOP wants to kill off the elderly.

[renee]

Gay marriage is been way over due in this country, and is going to help obama with the new generation of youths since romney is against it.

[ir0nw0lfe]

Maybe. It's a risky play.

[Doug]

This is stupid. What business does he or anyone have in peoples personal life.

[MrGrey]

Finnally a moral president! Yes being anti-gay rights is imoral and down right wrong. So if you dont like it or have a problem with it, then get over yourself

[ir0nw0lfe]

What happened to the scholar who made interesting arguments supplimented with facts, not just emotion? Since when do you get the omniscience to declare morality? We are not talking about hate as much as we are defining to what extent the govt. Can recognise a religious institution. Moral president? Surely you see this about votes. Even our new resident Obamazombie saw that.

[BigPoppaPhat]

This topic is so old and so irrelevant to the presidential race, its just more proof Obama can't use any current events as a platform to reelect him.

[Truthinesss]

There are others who say pro-gay is immoral and down right wrong. So should you get over yourself too? How does that work?

[MrGrey]

@every one who disagrees- will follow up soon with logical fact based argument as to why it's immoral

[bann1961]

I support Obama on this. If the decision is made by the individual couples to devote there lives to one another and to obey the same comands to trust and honor and remain faithful to one another than these couples should be allowed to engage in a ceremony and have the same legal rights as a recognized sanctioned married couple in the state that they live in and be able to receive the same medical benefits under the health plan of their choice. If it is legal and recognized in the states for individuals to decide to change there sexual organs to undergo a sex operation and after many years of therapy and physical operations they get to assume a new identity and live a full life so should those of same sex marraiges. I agree that freedom to choose is still important and should be recognized and supported by our President.

[Pflack]

Just making things a little more equal for all. Contrast is what makes the world possible to experience.

[alwlooney]

Disgusting, I can't believe this issue can even be up for debate. These loose, liberal ideas are what is ruining our country. It might even create a civil war. Let people do what they want, but it shouldn't be a legal union recognized by our nation!