President Obama Affirms His Support for Same Sex Marriage

[Skinner]

Source: ABC News

President Obama today announced that he now supports same-sex marriage, reversing his longstanding opposition amid growing pressure from the Democratic base and even his own vice president.

In an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, the president described his thought process as an “evolution” that led him to this place, based on conversations with his own staff members, openly gay and lesbian service members, and conversations with his wife and own 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’ comfort with the concept.

Read more: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/president-obama-affirms-his-support-for-same-sex-marriage.html

---

Video here: http://gma.yahoo.com/video/news-26797925/obama-same-sex-marriage-should-be-legal-29242313.html

[TalkingDog]

1. Thank you. I was just about to post this. !!!!!

Yay!

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Well alrighty then1

Nooooooooooow - who did we kill in a drone attack today?

[Ian David]

3. Yeah, right. Just add it to "Teh List."

I'm kidding.

THIS IS AWESOME!




BREAKING: Obama Embraces Marriage Equality

President Obama has come out in support of marriage equality for gay and lesbian people in an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts this afternoon:

OBAMA: 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.

More:
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/05/09/481147/obama-marriage-2/

[Voice for Peace]

129. next we need one that says

"I think medical marijuana patients
should be able to get their medicine"

Edit to add that I am very very happy to read that he has come out with this statement, on behalf of humankind I am happy to have such a president.

[SammyWinstonJack]

210. +1000! And "I think it's up to the states to decide this issue".

Happy to read that he has evolved on same sex marriage.

[DFab420]

4. Too LITTLE TOO LATE!! I WANT MY PONY!!!

jk jk

excellent news

[Vanje]

192. C'mon

Be nice.
Lets celebrate together.

[NYC_SKP]

229. No shit.

FFS.

[one_voice]

5. Woo-hoo!!!!!

I knew he'd eventually say those words!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY.....

[NYC Liberal]

6. Thank you President Obama!

I hope millions more who oppose equal rights on this see the light and change their minds.

[pinto]

7. Kick.

[onehandle]

8. I hope his mathematicians know what they're doing. nt

[Hissyspit]

28. Believe it or not, a lot of Americans who support marriage equality

vote.

And a lot of of Americans vote for someone who will stand up for what he/she believes even if they don't agree with that stand. Not all voters are one-issue voters.

Sometimes you just do what's right.

[onehandle]

51. Amen, but still, I hope the math holds.

President Romney would be a powerless figurehead.

The teahadists he'll take his orders from, would be building ovens.

[TBF]

61. Thanks for your concern. nt

[HotRodTuna]

91. I'm sure that would be their first order of business

[edcantor]

169. "Romney would be a powerless figurehead" NO!

He would be George W Bush on Steroids!

Launch a war with Iran? SURE! Next issue? Deny food stamps to poor? SURE! Next Issue? Refuse to bail out a failing mismanaged major America industry? SURE! Next? Revoke rights for children of illegal parents to attend public schools? SURE! Next issue? Give 5 Trillion in tax cuts to the rich? TOP OF THE AGENDA!~!!

[liberalmuse]

178. Not true.

Romney would not be a powerless figurehead. He would be actively consulting with the "Prophet" of the Mormon church. I was a Mormon. I lived in Salt Lake City. I've seen various heads of states and sheiks pass through and meet with the President of the Mormon church. Romney and his wife have participated in the Mormon Temple ceremonies, where you essentially take a blood vow to be faithful to the Mormon church and not disclose the temple cermonies, which are a direct ripoff of the Masonic temple cermonies.

[24601]

187. Is that what Harry Reid does? Bashing anyone because of their faith or lack thereof

is offensive.

[napoleon_in_rags]

197. I was thinking of this today

Politically I think its a win. There's a whole lot of people out there who don't want to be told what to think, they tolerate hardcore fundamentalists and the like so long as they don't try to take control and tell them what to think. They basically don't spend a lot of time worrying about gay issues either. If Republicans really mount a huge counter offensive to this, it will be coming from an evangelical angle, and that just doesn't play right now.

But it doesn't matter either way. The real point is, I think ethically, morally its a win. The idea that leadership has something to do with obsessing on gay people and how they live their lives is exactly everything that's wrong in this country. Standing up for the right thing is standing up for the right thing.

[sabrina 1]

202. He did the right thing. Astounding to think that people often admire someone more

for doing what is right, even if they do not agree, than someone who holds their finger up to the wind to see how it is blowing. Politicians should try it more often.

Btw, who do you think might hold this against him? Seems to me there is no political risk in his making this statement. Bigots on the right were never going to vote for him. To NOT come out and support it was an even bigger risk, politically. To not do so could have lost him the votes of people he actually had a chance of getting.

I'm very glad he has finally done this.

[Purveyor]

30. You and me both. eom

[FedUp_Queer]

87. Perhaps I misunderstand you.

However, I find myself ill after reading your post. The implication seems to be (and I may be wrong, and if I am I apologize) that civil rights should be subject to political calculations. The implication also seems to be that if the electoral math were NOT right, he should not come out in favor of the civil rights of us GLBT folks. I am plenty hard on this President (for other reasons, which I find unforgivable). However, speaking only for myself (which is worth about 3.2 cents), this may just make me overlook the many other things I have against this President (NDAA, cutting CSBG, drones, etc.) to elect him to overturn and change those other things. So...here is one person who said he would no way vote for him (after being very enthusiastic last time) because of the things I cite above, who might just very well now vote for him and, in fact work for him.

[Purveyor]

153. I don't know what the fuck from my post would make you 'ill'. Save the crap for those that

deserve it.

[FedUp_Queer]

230. Like yours?

Perhaps if someone played with your civil rights like this, you'd be a little pissed.

[Purveyor]

231. Welcome to me ignore list but be forewarned, it is very lonely on that list. Enjoy. eom

[FedUp_Queer]

232. I don't know ignore anyone.

Those lists are for cowards, milquetoasts and people who have no business engaging in political debate (truly a blood sport).

[jeff47]

59. Polling: 48.8% support, 47.1% oppose

Source

[nanabugg]

115. This will change about 20 points because when Obama is for something, the haters become against it

don't care what the sexual preference is. Don't care if you are for or against abortion, choice, same sex marriage, gays in the military....doesn't. Racism trumps it all.

[yardwork]

126. The racists already oppose both Obama and gay rights.

I believe that this will help reassure many Democrats that it is ok to be in favor of equal rights for gay people. I predict that this will not hurt Obama at all and will move acceptance of gay rights forward.

Thank you, President Obama.

[obamanut2012]

135. This will gain him votes

Because his anti-marriage equality stance has turned off a lot of supporters, and has even cooled off this Obama nut's ardor.

[jeff47]

146. Doubtful. The haters were already against it. (nt)

[NYC Liberal]

165. But it will also energize supporters as well,

perhaps especially those for whom this is an important issue.

[Vanje]

194. Count me among the ENERGIZED! nt

[Jamastiene]

207. Me too.

This is amazing news.

[emilyg]

164. sp close.

[Vanje]

193. Hey! Look at this punch bowl.

Thats not a turd is it?

[Fearless]

199. It's time the venomous ugly underbelly of this issue sees the light of day

People will see how stupid they are for hating others just because of who they love. Ignorance is a powerful tool of the GOP. We need to do the opposite to win.

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. About time.

Thank you Mr President.

[janx]

10. Magnificent!

Thanks for the link--if only I could get the video to play...!

[Inuca]

22. I am sure it will play

over and over and over all over the place. Because it is worth it (I did not see it, but there is no doubt about it).

[freshwest]

38. I searched this on youtube to post, results gave things like 'Obama is the anti-Christ.'

I'll check back later in the day and post it for you if I find it.

Mox News on youtube posts CSPAN and others hard to find videos so he may have this one in a few hours.

I can't get MSNBC, Huffpo, Medialite, etc. videos to work on my computer either so I'll look for it there.

This is good news for all humans!

[janx]

57. Thank you; it works now!

What wonderful news and such political fortitude.

[freshwest]

104. Janx (and others), Kadie found it and asked me to post it here:

President Obama Endorses Gay Marriage

There is a second video on Kadie's thread:

Obama: 'I Think Same Sex Couples Should Be Able To Get Married'

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101727251

[janx]

122. Excellent.

Thanks to you and Kadie.

[OKNancy]

11. This takes real guts to do this

He is casting aside any electoral disadvantage to do the right thing.
I'm filled with even more admiration for him.

[one_voice]

19. Yep...

This is very risky. I admire him for doing this!

I don't think he cares what the politics of it are, he wanted to do the right thing. Good for him! I'm proud of our President!!

[freshwest]

20. +1

[Yukari Yakumo]

41. Actually, it might be to his advantage.

Recent poll via Gallup (from LGF):

Support for Same-Sex Marriage--
Total: For 50%, Against 48%
Dem: For 65%, Against 34%
Ind: For 57%, Against 40%
Rep: For 22%, Against 74%

In short, choosing this stance will further solidify Obama's base and should play well with Independents.

[tcaudilllg]

150. Yeah there is no risk in this.

I'd say this will get him the unqualified support of 55% of the people. The moral issue will trump the economy this time around.

Romney just threw away any chance he had of winning. Oh wait, he never had one.

[kurt_cagle]

162. Yes, but ...

First, let me see that I think this was an incredibly brave stance for Obama to make, and applaud him for it.

However, while the population numbers are for it, keep in mind that electoral politics don't necessarily equate to total vote percentages. Thirty states have laws on the book banning gay marriages, many including civil unions in that. Six states have voted to support gay marriage, and another 13 support civil unions but not gay marriage. New Mexico is the only state that has no laws on the books regarding gay marriage one way or another. (Colorado, curiously enough is the only inner Western state that supports civil unions, even given the high Christian base there.)

Those 19 states are the locations of concentrated urban centers - NY, Boston, Chicago, DC (for Maryland), Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. I think there are probably one or two others that might switch category (Minnesota, for instance, might move into at least supporting civil unions), so that means that there are effectively 20 states where support for that position would translate into an electoral win. I would not be at all surprised if that also ends up being the breakdown of the electoral college. Hopefully that will be enough.

[Vanje]

195. The people who are strongly against gay marriage....

were'nt going to vote for Obama anyway.

This is pure WIN!

[beveeheart]

78. I totally agree with you - real guts to do this.

[Vanje]

12. K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for Leadership!

Great!
I'm giddy!

[brooklynite]

13. I predict this will have a significant effect on the election...

...in the States that weren't going to vote for Obama anyway.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. FUCK YES! ABOUT GODDAMNED TIME!

Equal Marriage Rights!

[dbackjon]

31. If the citizens of your state want you to have them

He still thinks it is a states issue

[Behind the Aegis]

44. I must have missed that part.

Give with one hand, take with the other. Oklahoma will allow gay marriage when....oh hell, that will never happen without Federal intervention.

[dbackjon]

60. Yup. While welcoming the evolution, I am still underwhelmed.

[Behind the Aegis]

83. Sadly, I am now in agreement with you.

The evolution is far from complete.

[SammyWinstonJack]

211. Playing it safe. Now will he call off his DOJ on MMJ for the citizens of states who want it?

Why isn't that also a states issue?

[dbackjon]

219. The hypocracy

Another issue he is out of touch

[swimboy]

155. I endorse your statement

without reservation!

[yesphan]

15. Thanks

Mr. President.

[Mira]

16. Better late than never

Geez- I so hate cliches but it fits in my mind. I'll take it now, with gratitude, and know full well that he has always felt this way.

[KansDem]

17. Changed my signature line...

And, if it matters, I'm straight...

[Inuca]

18. Ezra Klein

(tweet) The White House probably feels like Joe Biden has said enough already, but I'd still like him to pop up and call this "a big f***ing deal."

It is, indeed. A VERY BIG f***ing deal!!

[Cali_Democrat]

21. BRAVO, Mr. President!!!

[maddezmom]

23. I'm glad he has come out to support it

but disagree that states should decide.

[Steerpike]

24. Wow!

Good for the President!

[David__77]

25. I believe this is smart politics actually.

He has to draw a line on cultural issues between himself and Romney. This is it. It will not alienate anyone that supported Obama in 2008, although not all will agree. The people who really care and are opposed are those that were never with him.

[grantcart]

46. You would be right if we had national elections. It will cost him in the electoral college

States like Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, Iowa.

[Arugula Latte]

125. Eh, I think Missouri's kind of a lost cause anyway. They were red in '08.

Iowa has gay marriage, so it might not sway many people.

[grantcart]

143. Missouri was lost by only 4,000 votes and has an important Senate race

It will be a major battle ground state.

[SWTORFanatic]

145. But it will make him win the toss up but blue leaning

states.

[grantcart]

148. Its possible but arguable at best but my response was to the opinion that this was 'smart' politics.

Its high risk with moderate to low reward.

I just don't think it is a slam dunk politically.

There is another side to this and that is that there is serious major money in by Gay contributors and it probably will mean more revenue for Obama than Romney.

[Hippo_Tron]

168. The presidency will be won or lost on the economy

The President has enough of a lead in the swing states that he would win the electoral college if the election were held today. The only way that Mittens can beat the President, is to convince voters in these crucial swing states that the President is the problem with the economy and he is the solution. Pandering on social issues ain't gonna cut it.

Furthermore, this will get Mittens way off message. Every moment that Mittens spends trying to pander to social conservatives on this issue, is a moment he's not spending trying to convince people in Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, and Iowa that he can do a better job on the economy. If we're still talking about gay marriage and birth control come October, the Republicans don't stand a chance in hell.

[grantcart]

200. If the election were to be won or lost on the economy then they would have called it already.

It took the Dow Jones 126 years to get to 6700 and in three years the President has been in office it has gained 6700.

During the same time Japan has drifted into further, Europe is on the precipice of another great collapse.

General Motors has gone from bankruptcy to the largest car manufacturer in the world.

Unemployment, a lagging indicator has made a steady improvement.

The "Economy" has been the most over rated fixture of political decision in modern history. President Clinton oversaw the greatest economic growth in history, the greatest reverse of deficit to surplus and the greatest increase of personal income in history, and he was impeached.

Elections are more about posturing of mythology than anything else, sometimes the economy is part of that mythology.

A few months ago I talked to the owner of a contractor that was working in different municipalities fulfilling contracts directly related to projects detailed under the stimulus. In a down economy he was prospering. I remarked that the people in this area had received more stimulus than any other area and yet they would vote against him because he was so pro-Gay. He responded, "I don't know about that, all I know is that he is a Goddamned Communist." When your African American nothing is ever going to be just about 'the economy".

[FarLeftFist]

26. MOST PROGRESSIVE PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY!

[TrogL]

27. Huffington post article

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/obama-gay-marriage_n_1503245.html?ref=canada&ir=Canada

[bettydavis]

29. in the immortal words of Rupual....

HE BETTA WORK!!!
GOBAMA 2012!!!!

[flamingdem]

32. Nice

Historical

[Flatpicker]

33. I'm hoping

That this doesn't torpedo the 2012 election.

Now, we (all of us progressives) have to make sure we get out the vote because you know the right is going to use this as a scare tactic to drive up conservative voters.

[JitterbugPerfume]

34. On behalf of my Gay friends

Thank You President Obama

[soleft]

79. Thank you JBP!

Thank you!

[JitterbugPerfume]

110. you are so welcome!

[Magoo48]

35. Today's good news!

[cheriemedium59]

36. Gay Marriage

President Obama has proven he does actually have balls!
A wonderful day for all!!!!!!!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

67. Welcome to DU, cheriemedium59!

You joined on a very auspicious day!

[Maven]

37. WOW. THANK YOU Mr. President.

Thank you for leading on this important issue.

[horseshoecrab]

39. This is excellent news!

It is time and Obama is the man!



I am thinking of my LGBT friends - and relatives too. This is a big freaking deal for all!


horseshoecrab

[think]

40. He did the right thing. Kudos to the Prez /nt

[closeupready]

42. Good for him. It's only fair.

K&R

[Tikki]

43. Thank You my President...

You help define a better World.



The Tikkis

[Pachamama]

45. That's my President!!!

[Pisces]

47. Yes!!!!!! This is incredible news!!!! Congratulations to all LBGTA community!!!

[bettydavis]

48. NOW move the convention

https://www.facebook.com/MoveTheDNC

[Zadoc]

49. POLL: Will this help or hurt Obama?

I just have to say it's about damn time. He should've been supporting EQUAL RIGHTS since day one.

POLL: Will his endorsement of same-sex marriage help or hurt Obama in November?
Vote: http://www.wepolls.com/p/9637685

[Evasporque]

53. As much as falling gas prices are.....nt

[Starry Messenger]

50. Historical statement, Mr. President. Thank you.

k&r

[marions ghost]

52. OK then

[Hosnon]

54. YES!!!

[ileus]

55. fighting the good fight...thank you Mr. President...

[MindMover]

56. FINALLY......

[haele]

58. Finally - and yes, it's a strategic move as well as the right thing to say on ethical grounds -

It gives the teabaggers something to focus their ire on other than the economy. It will make the "religious riecht" foam at the mouth all the way through the election, and appear even more fanatical and unpalatable to the independants and many undecideds that President Obama will be "the sane person" in the room.

Of course, I'm not saying that's the reason he said what he did the way he did, but it is a political gamble that shows a progression in values that is attractive to the non-fanatics during an election year. It definatly sets him apart...and there are fewer hyper-religious Democrats that would be offended than there are non-fanatical borderline Republicans and Independants that would be attracted.

Haele

[TBF]

62. Better late than never. Thank you Mr. President! nt

[Politicub]

63. Love my president!!!!

[Iliyah]

64. Another thing

Blacks still will vote for him, and I'm pretty many GOPs

I'm severely serious!

40% of NC didn't understand Amendment One. They voted against it because churches told them to because of gay marriage. NC already had a law, something a great many of them did even know. That said once the other BS parts become open - surprise suprise.

Anywho, Pres O will win by a landside.

[Scurrilous]

65. K & R

[Uncle Joe]

66. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Skinner.

[Ms. Toad]

68. While I am thrilled to have a sitting president say the words,

it will take more than words for me to be convinced this (and other advances such as doing away with DADA - supported as the election comes closer and closer) is anything other than a strategic recognition that he needs LGBT individuals and the youth to go to the polls in order to be re-elected.

I guess the motivation shouldn't really matter - in a very real sense, often even insincere actions repeated long enough lead to real changes.

So here's to change on the horizon.

[BB1]

69. This Dutchman is starting to feel very good

about the course Obama is sailing. End a war, endorse gay marriage.
Now let up on the pot, end your other overseas (and covert) war(s), fail some big banks and keep the police away from #OWS. End of x-mas list, ghehe.

Seriously guys, I feel good about this! Congrats!

[Lucky Luciano]

70. Such a no brainer and much less risky than the OBL raid.

In the event of an OBL raid failure, Obama would have been a certain one termer. Taking a stance on equal rights is much less risky to his second term chances in my opinion, so it is surprising it took this long.

[Renew Deal]

71. Barack Obama: First sitting President to support Marriage Equality!

[Autumn]

72. Thank you, I and several of my loved ones

appreciate this stance.

[ruggerson]

73. Great news - thank you Mr President

N/T

[azmom]

74. my first post

I am so filled with joy over the news. Soooo happy. It's been a long time coming. My own daughter, she's 17, is also very comfortable with the concept. She could never understand what the big deal was. Great news.

[Rhiannon12866]

105. Welcome to DU, azmom!

It's great to have you with us on this momentous occasion!

[yellerpup]

120. Welcome to DU1

Great first post!

[Vanje]

196. Like!

Happy you're here

[Rhiannon12866]

75. K&R for the president!

And special kudos to Joe Biden!!!

[Chemisse]

76. Wooooh!!!

Hmm, did he watch Hardball last night? That was the main topic: should he or shouldn't he come out soon with a statement about this.

Sooner is better than later, no matter how you look at it. The one argument against it (on Hardball) was that some older people who otherwise would vote for Obama would be turned off by a pro gay marriage stance.

I disagree. The haters are gonna hate regardless, but the regular elderly people have had decades to adjust to the change in attitudes.

If MY parents (in 70s/80s) are ready to support gay marriage now (and they are!), than any older moderate or liberal person is most likely either supportive or just indifferent about it.

[Arkana]

77. Holy balls.

He did it.

He actually did it.

Dude broke YEARS of political taboos and said it IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

[nilram]

80. Woo-hoo! Now it's time for the feds to recognize ALL married couples!

Allow ALL married couples to file their income taxes as 'married'. All sorts of other federal statutes that don't involve the states. Medicare benefits, social security benefits. If you're married in your state, you should be viewed as married by the feds. Yeah, there'd be complexities, but I think there's a lot that doesn't involve the reciprocity-between-the-States issue.

[Jon Ace]

81. Congrats to Obama being the first POTUS to openly support gay marriage!

NC can take its 15 electoral votes and go fuck itself

[bluedigger]

82. And now he will need our support!

I hope this is the first of several contentious issues he gets out in front of for his campaign.

[Berlin Expat]

84. This is very good to hear

from President Obama. I'm glad that he's supporting marriage equality.

Oh, and RWNJ's who may be trolling; yeah, I'm a Muslim, and I support marriage equality. And I support President Obama. So, suck it. You're gonna lose this November, insha'Allah, and I'm going to laugh long and hard while you seethe on Election Night.

[bigwillq]

85. K and R

[swimboy]

156. Hey, bro!

Big day, huh!

[bigwillq]

157. I am glad Obama said what he did

I didn't think he would, and especially not before the election.

But there is still that states rights issue.

But this is a good step.

[Ruby the Liberal]

94. Bragging that you don't support equal rights?

That is an interesting stance. Care to explain why?

[MineralMan]

119. Gone, gone, gone.

[WonderGrunion]

204. And deservedly so. Here are the jury results.

At Wed May 9, 2012, 03:21 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Rethugs were saying that this doesn't help him politically
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=117372

REASON FOR ALERT:

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. (See <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=aboutus#communitystandards" target="_blank">Community Standards</a>.)

ALERTER'S COMMENTS:

The Terms of Service on DU state that DUers are required to support full equality for gay people, including equal marriage. This poster just stated that they are opposed to gay marriage. That is a violation of community standards and TOS. Please hide and send to MIRT. Thanks.

JURY RESULTS

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Wed May 9, 2012, 03:28 PM, and the Jury voted 4-2 to HIDE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT and said: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT and said: it's plain as day in the TOS. No bigoted hate speech " This includes any post which states opposition to full equal rights for gays and lesbians" - Maine-ah
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT and said: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT and said: Yeah, this is a TOS violation...easy hide. - WonderGrunion
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Faygo Kid]

88. The right thing to do. Now the uglies will show their true hatred.

I am hopeful most people will recoil when they see the venemous reaction from the Freepers, dittoheads, tea partiers, Fox News, et al.

It's a good day, NC notwithstanding.

[Hoyt]

89. He did the right thing, regardless of the political impact.

[Jester Messiah]

90. He couldn't have piped up with this two days ago?

Sheesh. Well, better late than never.

[NorthCarolina]

107. If you are thinking it would have made some difference in the NC Amendment 1

I can pretty much assure you that it would have still passed. Possibly with an even higher margin than it did, given that Fox would have been hammering it home for two full days prior to the primary.

[Jamastiene]

208. Yes, NC would have voted the way it did on Amendment 1 no matter what.

We have pockets of hate in this state that defy logic in how extreme they are about it.

It would not have mattered either way in NC on Amendment 1.

I'm so happy about him coming out in favor of gay marriage right now, I am actually having to wipe tears away. He has my undying support now. Wow, I'm stunned.

[nod factor]

92. Obama has never...

Obama has never not "personally supported gay marriage."
His position has always been the same as John Kerry's in 2004.

He has always said that he, himself, is comfortable with two people of the same sex being married but he believes that [unlike the Civil Rights Act] from a legislative standpoint it should be a State's issue.

So that is the pertinent question really.

Whether or not he believes marriage equality is akin to the Civil Rights Act.

Obama has said nothing new and yet we celebrate.

Well played on their part.

[politicasista]

141. +1

Kudos to the President, VP, and Dems that stood strong on this issue.

[Ian David]

93. Stand With President Obama in Support of Marriage Equality

Stand With President Obama in Support of Marriage Equality http://dccc.org/pages/marriage-equality

President Obama has announced that he supports marriage equality for all Americans.

Now we’re facing a critical moment. We must show that the American people stand behind the President and support extending the rights and responsibilities of marriage to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.

Add your name and stand with President Obama in support of marriage equality.

More:
http://dccc.org/pages/marriage-equality

[Thrill]

95. We'll see just how much so called 'Liberals'

who complain about Obama, actually stand up for him and fight for him now. Or will they do what Democrats usually do.

[Brooklyn Dame]

101. *Sigh* I've been saying the same thing for ages, Thrill

He can't do it all on his own -- and he was quite clear about that during his campaign and inauguration. This mess wasn't created over night and it can't be cleaned up overnight either.


http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/2012/02/5-annoying-things-that-liberals-do/


http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/2012/02/r-or-d/

[RushIsRot]

96. Equal rights for ALL!

[Brooklyn Dame]

97. GLAD to live to see this!! But sad that North Carolina...

is still soooo backwards. First an anti-interracial marriage ban and now this. Shame on them.

http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/2012/05/the-romanticized-south-redux-im-looking-at-you-north-carolina/

[EmeraldCityGrl]

152. outstanding article...

So glad I took the time to watch the video of Pastor Barber, what a wise man.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

98. This is a winner!

[wildeyed]

99. I feel whipsawed today!

So very down about the results of the NC Amendment and now surprised and happy about our President's decision to publicly affirm his support of gay marriage.

[Doc_Technical]

100. Bah

In the greater scheme of things, (war, pollution, wealth distribution,
loss of rights, etc,) this is a trivial matter.

What few votes that will be gained by this decision will be
far outweighed by the number of votes lost.

The Mainstream Media depends on Presidential elections
to sell advertising time due to the increase of viewers
during this election season.
If the election appears to be an early runaway,
a great deal of anticipated income will not be
realized so actions must be taken to make this
election closer than it otherwise might be.

[jumptheshadow]

113. Hogwash (nt)

[countryjake]

123. So, you think that civil rights are a trivial matter?

I'll raise your "Bah" and say that your comment is full of Bullshit!

I realize that there are some conservative Democrats who may feel disgruntled by our Prez's final "evolution" on the matter of supporting equal rights for our LGBT community, but for you to come in to this celebratory thread with your insulting summation on the matter is beyond cavalier!

[yardwork]

127. Trivial to you because you're not gay or the child of gay parents.

I don't believe that Obama will lose any votes because of this. People opposed to gay rights are generally already opposed to Obama. Most homophobes are also racists.

Among the subset of people who support Obama but don't support gay rights, I believe that their steadfast support and love for President Obama will actually move them on gay rights, not vice versa.

[obamanut2012]

137. He will gain net votes from this

Definitely.

And, so glad you are so cavalier with my civil rights.

[Wind Dancer]

160. Wrong..

.. on so many levels!

[Hissyspit]

188. "I'm going to bet..."

[JNelson6563]

214. +1

[myrna minx]

217. .

[Duncan Grant]

102. The transformative presidency: he's done it.

I'm filled with emotion. It's a profound day in American history.

Thank you, President Obama.

[Callisto32]

103. Crazy Idea #347

Get government out of marriage. Period.

Make all of the legal benefits to being married a bundle of rights that you and another person can agree, via contract, to share with one another.

This contract could be dissolved at will, and remade with another person.

Hell, maybe even make it so that you can share those rights around: "Friend B gets to make medical decisions, Friend C and I get to file taxes jointly, et cetera.)

[Hell Hath No Fury]

106. "...and that he still supports the concept of states deciding the issue on their own."

"States rights" on a core civil rights issue. Ri-i-i-i-i-ght

[obamanut2012]

138. Yes, that part doesn't please me very much

There was a reason why Loving vs. Virginia happened.

[woo me with science]

191. Yup, he has now evolved to the exact same position Dick Cheney arrived at three years ago:

that he is personally in favor of equal marriage but that he still considers it not a civil right, but a privilege that can be denied by states through voting.


Obama, 2012:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/09/politics/obama-same-sex-marriage/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

"'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 said in an interview with ABC News...The president said he supports the concept of states deciding the issue on their own, ABC News reported."



Cheney, 2009:

Cheney supports same-sex marriage 'on a state-by-state basis'
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/02/nation/na-cheney2.

"June 2, 2009 WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Dick Cheney waded into another roiling public debate Monday, saying he supports same-sex marriage as long as the issue is decided by states rather than the federal government."


There is still much more evolving to do.

[AsahinaKimi]

108. I knew he had it in him

to feel and say this. This is great news. Kick and Rec.

[NorthCarolina]

109. I believe Obama has now locked up the youth vote in his column,

and given them huge motivation to get out and vote.

[Waiting For Everyman]

111. It was nice of him to announce this today, after the NC defeat.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

175. There are black and brown gays and lesbians who care about this issue. Your post is ignorant and

highly offensive!!

[Jamastiene]

209. That theory has been disproven.

While I appreciate your support for gay rights, the racial connotation of the various votes on gay marriage has been disproven. African Americans, as a whole, are no more or less homophobic than any other race. They are not a monolith.

[JNelson6563]

216. It's an excellent counter to the NC crap.

[Chorophyll]

112. This is fantastic!

I hope this will start a trend among Democratic candidates: don't try to appeal to everybody. Stand up for what you really believe.

But mostly, yay President Obama!

[nolabear]

114. My cup runneth over.

I am so damned happy I could cry. More after I embarrass myself at work a few more times.

[Pab Sungenis]

116. Thank you.

Now let's follow through.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

117. I wonder if that will affect the vote in NC in November

...since a bunch of bassackward yahoos there just passed Amendment 1.

[MineralMan]

118. Thank you, Mr. President!

[sarge43]

121. Thank you, Mr President

I love the sound of right wing nuts heads' exploding.

[eridani]

124. Excellent! Be sure to--

--stop by whitehouse.gov and leave a thank you email.

[countryjake]

131. Thanks for that reminder!

We should all write thank you, while the euphoria is hot! I do have questions on his comment about leaving it up to the states, but I'm still ecstatic at this news today.

[eridani]

176. Lord only knows I've written enough emails criticizing various policies

That really needs to be balanced out with praise where praise is due.

[coffeenap]

128. Thank you, President Obama.

You are giving hope and inspiration to the young (and not-so-young) gay and lesbian people of the world today. The kids in the GSA I work with have been lamenting North Carolina all day, but this statement will go a long way toward renewing their confidence in our country.

[jwirr]

130. Finally. Now lets make sure that he does not regret it by supporting him when they make this their

favorite issue.

[Sparkle]

132. This is interesting...

I thought it was great that the President finally spoke out about this. At first I thought, oh no...there goes his second term. But then I'm thinking if the Republicans try and make this election all about gay marriage and portray him as some gay loving President etc., it will backfire on the Republicans and will probably get more folks out there to vote for him. Nice strategy. (not saying Obama only said it for campaign purposes).

[ZombieHorde]

133. This is very exciting news to me! nt

[MNBrewer]

134. I'm SHOCKED that he did this

and I'm glad to have him on the right side of this issue again. Thank you, Mr. Obama!

Keep it up!

[Gregorian]

136. Just last night people were discussing just when something like this might happen. Not soon.

He's a great man!

[and-justice-for-all]

139. The comments over at the video link are absurd...

Obama has been on the fence with this for awhile, he sees the light and people want to call him hypocritical.

[RiffRandell]

140. Hell Fucking Yes!

I love MY President!

[Bruce Wayne]

142. Yay! Finally a pro-evolution president.

I wonder if Joe Biden was a trial balloon or a provocateur. Either way, evolution works.

[DainBramaged]

144. (sigh) it would be meaningless NOW if he had done this in 2009 and short circuited the Tealaban

now he has to face fire from an enraged 27% who will try to convince the fence-sitters that the Gay is gonna get ya..........




weak.

[msanthrope]

147. That is my President. nt

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

149. His Support for Same Sex Marriage means a little

How many states now ban same-sex marriage? 30?

I am truly glad he does support it but the president needs to make it Federal and not let the states/church decide whats right for the country.

[Tarheel_Dem]

225. "the president needs to make it Federal".

And just how do you suggest he do that? You would need an overwhelming majority of the 535 people who represent us in the US Congress. No? If Obama had all the unilateral power some here seem to think, it would be a no brainer. No president has that authority. He has started the debate. He has moved the discussion to the top levels of this country's government. If this is as important to you as you imply, then write your representatives. They're paid to draft and pass legislation. President Obama is only one branch of government. What about the others?

[progress2k12nbynd]

151. This is a great day and would officially be the first day he'd be allowed on DU according to our TOS

By registering a Democratic Underground account, you agree to abide by these terms. A single violation of any of these terms could result in your posting privileges being revoked without warning.

No bigoted hate speech. - This includes "opposition to full equal rights for gays and lesbians"


We're all glad he finally came around, but it's interesting we nail losers like Kirk KKK Kameron for opposing full equal rights for gays and lesbians and yet the President gets a thank-you petition for finally taking a stance that any reasonable human being has held for decades...

[steve2470]

158. Thank you President Obama !!!!!!! nt

[Bluenorthwest]

159. The President's words were wonderful to hear...

I finally made it to a computer to say YIPPEEEEEEEEEE! What a joy the campaign season is shaping up to be...
I loved what he said and how he said it, my Obama tee shirt is being laundered and Barack Obama made me proud today, proud of him as a person and of course as our Democratic President.
A big fucking deal indeed.

[David Zephyr]

161. President Obama did it. It was courageous not to wait until after the election.

John Kennedy won the 1960 election by the skin of his teeth by carrying Illinois' electoral votes narrowly. His electoral base then was the South which he had solidly carried.

Still, ignoring how pivotal that Southern electoral base would be to his re-election electoral strategy in 1964, President Kennedy boldly sent U.S Marshals and the National Guard to the University of Mississippi to force the American civil right of James Meredith to attend that public university. What a great moment for this nation that was. I still remember it like it was yesterday.

By any account, that was not a "smart" political move for President Kennedy to have done. I personally believe, it would have cost him the '64 election. But...President Kennedy did the right thing. And the rest is history. Kudos to John F. Kennedy.

Today, President Obama, at possibly the risk of losing the 2012 election (because let's face it, my civil rights as a gay American man are not resoundingly popular in this nation) did the right thing. He acted as President of all Americans. Kudos to Barack Obama.

I am very proud of him. His detractors can go to hell.

[Paka]

163. Thank you Mr. President

I may be an old liberal, but I approve this message.

[uppityperson]

166. A president that says he can learn and change his mind? That is great, wish he'd make it Federal,

not up to states though. Good for him

[polichick]

167. So happy - thank you, Mr. President!

[Vattel]

170. Yay Obama!!!!!!!!!

[pacalo]

171. It's the right stance to take; civil rights belong to every American.

[FailureToCommunicate]

172. Media had been saying that his reluctance was partly due to "his Church" What crap!

Last edited Thu May 10, 2012, 10:23 AM - Edit history (1)

It's a shame when reporters can't get such a simple point correct.
His church was-is the UCC, the United Church of Christ, one of the most progressive of Protestant denominations. They have been at the fore front of acceptance of this issue since the early seventies (close behind the Unitarian Universalist Association).

http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/lgbt-history-timeline.html

From Wiki:
"Same-sex marriage
Churches in the UCC can sanctify same-sex unions.[26] The resolution "In support of equal marriage rights for all", supported by an estimated 80% of the UCC's 2005 general synod delegates, made the United Church of Christ the first major Christian deliberative body in the U.S. to make a statement of support for "equal marriage rights for all people, regardless of gender," and is hitherto the largest Christian denominational entity in the U.S. supporting same-sex marriage.[27]

(Thanks, Skinner, for posting)

[Laura PourMeADrink]

173. WONDERFUL DAY !! THANKS SKINNER. nt

[6000eliot]

174. I'm very proud of the president for taking this stand.

I'm also proud to have voted for him, despite other differences I might have with his administration's policies.

[awoke_in_2003]

177. There have been things...

that I have disagreed with the President about. The inauguration prayer thing, in particular, really chapped my ass. It looks like his position has evolved- I applaud this loudly. I know my thinking had to evolve on the issue of marriage equality- education and having a gay sister helped tremendously. Thank you, Mr. President, for keeping an open mind, and bravely stating you evolved position. K&R

[byronius]

179. Excellent. K&R.

[unkachuck]

180. the last I heard....

....he was still evolving....that didn't take long....maybe he can evolve on some other issues....

[Fearless]

181. Now you may have my support and money...

Just keep backing up the words with real, concrete actions and you will have it.

[wakemewhenitsover]

182. Wow.

Way to go.

[Submariner]

183. I can't wait to see how Romney takes credit for making Obama support same sex marriage

It probably happened about the time Mitten's was saving the auto industry , I guess.

[dmr]

184. Awesome, just awesome! n/t

[Odin2005]

185. +1,000,000,000,000,000,000

[The Doctor.]

186. Did anyone really not see this coming?

Oh... right...


GOBAMA!

[UnrepentantLiberal]

201. Join me!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/100246467

[Tripod]

189. Good for him,,, finally.

I'm surprised he didn't do this many years ago now. Good stuff though!

[Suji to Seoul]

190. As Stewie would say, "Well, the last horse finally crossed the finish line."

About time, Johnny-Come-Lately. You supported at candidate Obama, but not as President Obama.

Does this signal the end of this idiotic idea of working with people who wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire, Mr. Obama? If it does, you just re-affirmed my support in you.

Now, support:

1: Medicare for all
2: Fully funded education
3: Ending all overseas wars
4: Ending the drug war
5: Getting the business interests out of all public services and utilities
6: Complete campaign finance reform
7: Ending the American empire
8: Ending corporate welfare
9: intensive and punitive regulations on banks, Wall Street and businesses that off-shore money or out-source good American jobs to other countries.
10: Ending torture, prosecuting those who did it and closing Gitmo

[LAGC]

198. DU Rec #300.

Hell yeah, its about time.

[Gabby Hayes]

203. Tracey Ullman and her two Dads

[nofurylike]

205. rec. thank you very much for posting this, Skinner. nt

[Jamastiene]

206. This is monumental.

You could knock me over with a feather right about now. I'm stunned...in a very good way.

[lonestarnot]

212. Well well well. Reconcilliation of truth. Bout damn time.

[wordpix]

213. Great News! But when will environmentalists be considered equal?

[varelse]

215. I am happy that he has come out in personal support of equality

however, leaving civil rights up to the states doesn't have a good track record as a strategy.

[BlueDemKev]

218. Bold & Risky Move

While this was inevitable, I just hope it doesn't come back to bite us in the ass in November. The president cannot afford to lose Ohio or Colorado and a lot of swing voters there are still uneasy with the concept of gay marriage. If the president loses because of this move, gay rights will be set back. It might have been better if he had remained either publicly silent or ambivalent on the issue and remained in office so he could continue quietly advancing policies supportive of marriage equality (esp. with federal judge appointments).

We'll see how this plays out (fingers crossed).

[grahamhgreen]

220. About time! Yay!

[rapturedbyrobots]

221. Hate to piss on the parade

But he did NOT embrace marriage equality. He very carefully stated he thinks same sex couples SHOULD BE ABLE TO get married. Which as a lawyer he knows is entirely different than saying the have a RIGHT TO get married.

If you listen to the rest of the interview, he very clearly explains that he supports the right of individual states to decide this issue. So, he simultaneously pays lip service to marriage equality and validates Ammendment One. Way to triangulate!

[bubbalubagus]

222. you know what,

i think you're right. i don't know why he hedges like this either. It's not like some Repub is goings to ponder "well, he says they should be able to get married but he didn't say they have the right to get married... okay, after careful consideration i will still vote for him". i mean, maybe one person on planet earth. the rest will just go "ZOMG HE'S A SECRET MUSLIM TERRORIST FIST BUMPER WHO LOVES TO SPIT IN GODS FACE AND WANTS TO OUTLAW CHRISTIANITY AND THIS IS FINALLY PROOF!"
sorry for the caps, it's just only way i can get into the mindset

[felix_numinous]

223. This is what the 21st century looks like!!

[Scurrilous]

224. Obama’s gay marriage announcement followed by flood of campaign donations

<snip>

"It’s too soon to tell whether President Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage will help him or hurt him at the polls. But it’s already doing wonders for his pocketbook.

The Obama campaign is enjoying a massive surge of contributions in the wake of his gay marriage announcement, suggesting the issue could serve as a powerful fundraising tool in the months ahead, according to campaign bundlers and donors.

Fundraisers say the donations began pouring in within minutes of the news Wednesday that Obama, who had been “evolving on the issue” for months, would affirm his support for the right of gay couples to be married.

Obama also sent out a message to backers Wednesday night restating his shift on same-sex marriage and requesting financial support. “If you can, please donate today,” the message read."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-gay-marriage-announcement-followed-by-flood-of-campaign-donations/2012/05/10/gIQA2ntCGU_story.html

[Tarheel_Dem]

226. Rec # 350!

[SidDithers]

227. DU rec...nt

Sid

[Classy_Liberal]

228. Electing to Evolve

I love this article, because it shows that even though we're making progress, the society is still so intolerant:

http://fervidus.wordpress.com/

Here's an excerpt I like:

"DOMA [Defense of Marriage Act] indirectly, but precisely, targets gays and lesbians just as Jim Crow literacy test laws indirectly but precisely targeted black people to prevent them from voting: The 15th Amendment extended the suffrage to citizens regardless of race, so that black men (not women, of course) could vote. To circumvent that, Southern states required voters to pass a literacy test. If a voter couldn’t read, then he couldn’t vote. Prior to emancipation, teaching slaves to read was a high crime, punishable by death. Consequently, newly-freed slaves were unlikely literate, thereby unable to pass the literacy test, and therefore effectively disenfranchised despite the 15th Amendment. That situation didn’t change until passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Modern America fancies itself too enlightened to enact a law that explicitly prohibits gays and lesbians from marrying. But, using the same oblique approach as the literacy test, by defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman, DOMA’s limitation of liberty only applies to one group, gays and lesbians.

Preventing people from marrying due to their sex or sexual orientation is equal to doing so because of their race. DOMA is essentially identical to laws prohibiting interracial marriage, only the immutable characteristic on which the bar is based is different. Most Americans are horrified at the notion that two people could not marry merely because their skin color didn’t match. But because gays and lesbians are still considered deviant, not just different, it remains sensible to some that marriage should be impossible – not if their skin colors don’t match – but if their sex chromosomes do."