Prez Obama Loves Him Some Gays...

[Warren Dew]

It's just a calculation. Votes lost versus votes gained. It's been obvious for ages that Obama doesn't have objections in principle to same-sex marriage.

If it were for real he would actually have done something about it, like push for repeal of DOMA when the Democrats had controlling majorities in both houses.

[Thumpalumpacus]

If it were for real he would actually have done something about it, like push for repeal of DOMA when the Democrats had controlling majorities in both houses.

I think 'Zill'as post earlier is spot-on:

The definition of a leader is someone who seeing which way the crowd is running, then gets out front and yells "Follow me!"

I don't think Obama's taste for chasing poll numbers is unique to any one politician, though.

[Warren Dew]

I think 'Zill'as post earlier is spot-on:

The definition of a leader is someone who seeing which way the crowd is running, then gets out front and yells "Follow me!"

I'd agree that's often an accurate assessment. In this case, the crowd must be running around in circles, though:

http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/05/09/fu ... -marriage/

[Thumpalumpacus]

I think 'Zill'as post earlier is spot-on:

The definition of a leader is someone who seeing which way the crowd is running, then gets out front and yells "Follow me!"

I'd agree that's often an accurate assessment. In this case, the crowd must be running around in circles, though:

http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/05/09/fu ... -marriage/

This too is an excellent point, and one which could be made of the Republican candidate as well on other issues, though I won't bore you with the details because I'm sure you will have looked into them already.

[Ronja]

...and then there is the possibility that in addition to every other (very) recent pressure (like Biden's comment and the news from North Carolina) the questions and views of the president's children have indeed influenced him over the past year(s). At least one quote in the article indicated that (I didn't spot this issue in the video, but I may have missed it having only watched the video once).

Personally, I would find it damn hard to be seen on TV saying things that I know my kids would feel ashamed or confused by. Other parents' attitudes/feelings will vary, of course.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Well, being a politician in modern America would be a bitch anyway. It would for me, at least. I'm not one to shy from disagreement, and the amount of bullshit floating out there daily would result in some epic press conferences ... for about three weeks, when I'd get bumped off. But golly, they'd be entertaining while it lasted.

[maiforpeace]

My goodness, such a cynical bunch. I must be either too trusting and/or idealistic, because I believe his stated reasons for supporting gay marriage.

[Ronja]

My goodness, such a cynical bunch. I must be either too trusting and/or idealistic, because I believe his stated reasons for supporting gay marriage.

I hope my comment did not make your "cynical" list - it was not intended that way. I respect children who listen to their parents and learn from them, but I respect parents who listen to their children and learn from them even more.

When I watched him, I felt he was dead certain that there will be hell to pay no matter how he chooses his words, but still felt that he has to make a clear stand, even if that could lose him the second term. It did not look like an easy interview at all.

[Drewish]

Obama: "I used to think gay marriage was wrong. In fact I said so openly during my first campaign, but since then a lot of gays have donated to my campaign. Now I think it's right. I'm still going to leave it up to the states either way."

Romney: "I have always been against gay marriage. Yeah I used to bully gay kids, but I've matured since then, besides, boys will be boys, am I right? Anyways, either way leave it up to the states."

So in summary Obama stands up for what's right if you pay him enough to do it, but not in any tangible way. Romney is an asshole, but without the spine to do anything that might be too politically unpopular. So no difference in substance, just style.

[Ian]

I'll take Obama. It's not hard to understand how a person might actually change his mind about this subject - I certainly have over the last twenty years.

[Thumpalumpacus]

My goodness, such a cynical bunch. I must be either too trusting and/or idealistic, because I believe his stated reasons for supporting gay marriage.

I'm not saying anything about you; I don't know you and wouldn't presume to speak out of ignorance. But I'm skeptical of the motivations of any politician, particularly in an election year.

[Warren Dew]

My goodness, such a cynical bunch. I must be either too trusting and/or idealistic, because I believe his stated reasons for supporting gay marriage.

The problem is that he's been in favor of gay marriage before, publicly in 1996. So what were his reasons for deciding gay marriage was wrong between 1996 and 2008?

[FBM]

I'll take Obama. It's not hard to understand how a person might actually change his mind about this subject - I certainly have over the last twenty years.

This. I refuse to totally close my mind, even though I may be slow to change it.

...I'm skeptical of the motivations of any politician, particularly in an election year.

And a healthy dose of this.

[camoguard]

If all the gay people and all the women were to vote for Obama simply to make each party in the future accept gay and women's rights, Obama will win. And I'm there to help in case one of those people votes Republican.

[Robert_S]

If all the gay people and all the women were to vote for Obama simply to make each party in the future accept gay and women's rights, Obama will win. And I'm there to help in case one of those people votes Republican.

Sadly, a lot of women and gays carry the anti-gay and anti-woman memes and spend a great deal of energy spreading them around.