President Barack Obama said in an interview with ABC that "it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married."
With his Wednesday announcement, the president reversed his longstanding position on the issue. It came on the heels of his own vice president and education secretary saying they were in favor of gay marriage.
According to an ABC blog post, Obama further described his thought process as an "evolution" that progressed as he discussed the issue with staff members, gay and lesbian service members and his own family.
He said he thinks Americans are growing increasingly comfortable with the concept of gay marriage and cited his own daughters' views on the matter.
“It’s interesting, some of this is also generational,” he said. “You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents.
"And Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently. It doesn’t make sense to them, and frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective.”
Read CNN's full coverage of President Barack Obama's stance on gay marriage
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Post by: CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin Filed under: Barack Obama • Civil Rights • District of Columbia • Gay and lesbian • Politics • U.S. |
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Our President never disappoints me. He is a man of honor, integrity, intelligence, courage, fairness and compassion. I can't wait to vote for him again in November. All the best to you, Mr. President, always.
Like this is any surprise. I guess people still dont believe he wants to take away your gun rights either? Hope he doesnt survive 2012.
Mr. President this was a rookie move.
3 words...equal protection clause.
Go educate yourself.
I think the gays could make it happen easier if they just called it something other than marriage – call it a Consortium or something – and it would come with the same extention of benefits, tax filing status, etc etc – that would seperate from the religious issues of calling it marriage – why couldnt they do that to keep it a civil issue and not muck with the religious aspect of it?
Because that's the whole point. Calling it something else does not make it equal, and continues to deny Americans rights others are allowed.
They were calling for a civil ceremony and the haters were STILL not satisfied with that! They would burn gay people ar the bloody stake if they could get away with it...hypocritical bunch that they are!
That is right on but they wouldn't be satisfied with that b/c it wouldn't make the news as much.
That has to be about the dumbest comment I've ever seen on a forum, and I've seen a lot of them. You can't own a common word.
Normally, I'm not a single-issues kind of guy...but since I'm a gay guy and really all the other alternatives just scream degenerate values, Obama has my vote.
How do you feel about legalizing incest?
President Obama just flushed his second term down the drain. Very sad...he took the bait.
how so Oh Wise Jim? You really think this ended his campaign? Oh no! You mean the rednecks and zealots still won't vote for him?
Everyone could find out that he is Jesus Christ himself tomorrow, and the haters would still hate. Just off yourselves. Thank you.
i thought he was?
If he supports gay marriages then he can not be Jesus.
This is what leadership looks like
Mike, leadership looks like four+ years of sitting on issue and then stating an opinion right before election?
obama would sell his soul for votes! And that's all he's doing is lying to gain votes!
He just lost my vote.
He didn't have it in the first place.
I don't care if you support Obama or not, this is not a smart strategy for his campaign. He is taking a position that is still not very well accepted in this country.
The best why for society is to make a law that only man can marry man and woman only woman...so we can make sure that we dont exist anymore...maybe the next step is to marry your pet....
It's about time!!! I'm glad he finally came out and spoke his conscience instead of trying to pander to the backwards right wingers. He's not going to get their vote any ways so why pander to those numbskulls?
I agree! I was still on the fence, now Mitt would have to do something spectacular to look his way.
Psalms 12:8
ignorant-you.
I agree with a partnership type of legal agreement but not a marriage for gays.