Obama on Verge of Shift on Marriage Equality?

[Pirate Smile]

Obama on Verge of Shift on Marriage Equality?

It sure sounds like it, judging by his exchange with AMERICAblog's Joe Sudbay during a sit down with liberal bloggers today at the White House. Here's President Obama's response to a question about his position on same-sex marriage (after some back-and-forth):

THE PRESIDENT: I think it’s a fair question to ask. I think that -- I am a strong supporter of civil unions. As you say, I have been to this point unwilling to sign on to same-sex marriage primarily because of my understandings of the traditional definitions of marriage.

But I also think you’re right that attitudes evolve, including mine. And I think that it is an issue that I wrestle with and think about because I have a whole host of friends who are in gay partnerships. I have staff members who are in committed, monogamous relationships, who are raising children, who are wonderful parents.

And I care about them deeply. And so while I’m not prepared to reverse myself here, sitting in the Roosevelt Room at 3:30 in the afternoon, I think it’s fair to say that it’s something that I think a lot about. That’s probably the best you’ll do out of me today.

That first sentence of the second paragraph -- and "attitudes evolve, including mine" -- certainly make it sound like the President wants to change his public position on marriage equality, even if not now. Of course this isn't going to sate those working hard across the country on the issue. But inasmuch as this is the first time the President has been pressed on the issue in some time (as best I can tell), it may send a signal to those who care deeply about the issue that change is going to come.

http://www.polising.com/2010/10/obama-on-verge-of-shift-on-marriage.html

[xchrom]

1. He was FOR marriage equality before he was 'against' it

And is now in the process of changing his mind.

Watch for this: throwing support behind LGBTIQ equality
While supporting budget cuts to SS or poverty programs, etc.

[Pirate Smile]

6. Wow.

I get it. No matter what he does, he'll get no credit even if you have to imagine future slights to get there.

[xchrom]

9. Lol! He dropped his support for the public option in favor of Romney care too.

Obama is a neoliberal in the vein of Clinton --
He will play LGBTIQ rights as he thinks it will suit
His political future.

His 'legacy' is more important than his actual work.

[Pirate Smile]

10. He is a politician not an activist. Activists don't need to be concerned about getting elected.

Politicians do. Shocking.

[xchrom]

11. Too true. But he does need the vote of activeists

Come election time.

Kinda along the same line of good ol
'read my lips' bush.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

14. No matter what he says, he'll get no credit from me unless he does things.

Now, in fairness, on some areas he has made some progress. But his record (as opposed to his statements) on gay rights is, frankly, poor at best - what little good he has done has to be set against his attempts to reinstate DADT.

[Alexander]

2. A lot of presidents have changed their mind throughout their administration.

Wilson said towards the end of his term that agreeing to sign the Federal Reserve Act was the worst decision he ever made.

Clinton later regretted not getting more involved in Rwanda.

I'd like to think Obama will become more liberal throughout this term and the next (as I hope he gets another term). Will he? Who knows? But comments like these give me a little bit of hope.

[JI7]

3. he has always been for it , his opposition is mostly political strategy

[Pirate Smile]

8. I do think that after 2004, most politicians didn't think being pro-gay marriage was an electable

position while running for POTUS. Based on the polling, it was hard to argue with that. There has been big movement.

Can he say it before he runs for re-election in 2012? I don't know. Maybe. I'd hope yes.

Would he say it after he wins? I'd guess there is an +80% chance that the answer is yes.

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. In other words, don't push me, push the pollsters.

Obama will know what he thinks when Gallup tells him.

[ZombieHorde]

5. I hope President Obama becomes more liberal. nt

[jenmito]

7. K&R in hoping he'll publicly change his mind as I think he's for gay marriage (since the

church he went to for 20 years is for gay marriage) but he claims to not be for it (so far) for political reasons, sadly.

[Pirate Smile]

12. kick

[Bluenorthwest]

13. It is such a mixed bag of a statement.

He does not address his reversal from support to his current opposition, which he needs to do to be taken without that grain of salt. It is the first time I have heard him mention having gay friends at all, and that is good, but it is also sort of chilling to hear 'I care about them, that's all you'll get out of me.' Friendship is not a thing parsed. Caring is an action.
I'd personally be ashamed to have a position I could not explain using reason. Tradition, he says, as if the world is not chock full of traditions most vile.