Obama backs same-sex marriage
UPDATED 5:05 p.m. ET
(CBS News) -- President Obama says his position on same-sex marriage has evolved.
Three days after Vice President Joe Biden said he is "absolutely comfortable" with two men or two women getting married, Mr. Obama told ABC News in a hastily arranged interview that "same sex couples should be able to get married."
"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," Mr. Obama said in an interview with Robin Roberts broadcast in a special report this afternoon. More from the interview will be broadcast tonight and tomorrow morning.
The president, who had previously said his position on the matter is "evolving,"is now the first sitting U.S. president to back the rights of same-sex couples to marry.
"You know when I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that I have terrible policies on the economy, on foreign policy, but are very clear that when it comes to same sex equality or, you know, believe in equality. They are much more comfortable with it. 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," he said.
In 1996, as a candidate for the state Senate in Illinois, Obama offered "unequivocal" support for same-sex marriage but later changed his position.
As a candidate for president in 2008, Mr. Obama said he supports civil unions, but declined to back same-sex marriage.
When he signed the legislation repealing the Pentagon's 1993 law prohibiting openly gay members of the military, Mr. Obama was asked about his opposition to same-sex marriage and said his "feelings about this are constantly evolving."
"I struggle with this. I have friends, I have people who work for me who are in powerful, strong, long-lasting gay or lesbian unions. And they are extraordinary people. And this is something that means a lot to them and they care deeply about," he said about a year and a half ago.
Pressure again mounted on Mr. Obama to explain his position after Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan essentially backed same-sex marriage this week.
Biden told NBC Sunday that "I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women, and heterosexual men and women marrying another are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties."
Duncan told MSNBC Monday he believes same-sex couples should be allowed to get married. Asked why he had never said so publicly before, he said "I don't know if I've ever been asked."
ABC News said Roberts asked if First Lady Michelle Obama had a role in his decision.
"This is something that, you know, we've talked about over the years and she, you know, she feels the same way, she feels the same way that I do. And that is that, in the end the values that I care most deeply about and she cares most deeply about is how we treat other people and, you know, I, you know, we are both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others but, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it's also the Golden Rule, you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated. And I think that's what we try to impart to our kids and that's what motivates me as president and I figure the most consistent I can be in being true to those precepts, the better I'll be as a as a dad and a husband and, hopefully, the better I'll be as president," he said, according to ABC's website.
The issue complicates Mr. Obama's re-election efforts. Many conservative Democrats in key swing states like North Carolina and Ohio are opposed to same-sex marriage. Voters in North Carolina on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a measure to add an amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions into their Constitution.
At the same time, the president has a multi-million dollar fundraiser this week with actor George Clooney and one with singer Ricky Martin next week. It's likely that many of the donors at those events back same-sex marriage.
Opponents to same-sex marriage accused him of pandering to campaign donors
"We think it's a huge mistake. President Obama is choosing the money over the voters the day after 61 percent of North Carolinians in a key swing state demonstrated they oppose gay marriage," said Maggie Gallagher, co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage and director of the Culture War Victory Fund.
Senior administration officials told reporters they were looking for the "right time" to make this announcement and conceded that Biden's remarks expedited the schedule, CBS News chief White House correspondent Norah O'Donnell reports.
Presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney affirmed his belief that marriage is a union between a man and a woman but declined to comment directly on Mr. Obama's announcement."I have the same view on marriage that I had when I was governor and that I expressed many times. I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman," Romney told reporters in Oklahoma after Mr. Obama's interview aired on ABC.
Public attitudes toward same-sex marriage have shifted in the past decade and a half. About 50 percent of Americans now support same-sex marriage, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday. In 1996, the figure was just 27 percent.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the decision as "a major turning point in the history of American civil rights."
"No American president has ever supported a major expansion of civil rights that has not ultimately been adopted by the American people - and I have no doubt that this will be no exception," Bloomberg said.
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GRACE
FROM LONDON
GRACE
FROM LONDON
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Go read your Bible & pray for the hatred to pass from you. It will if you're sincere.
The gay community is an oppressed minority and America was founded on equality for all. It's in black and white in the Constitution.
The GOP should get out and stay out of the lives of people who are committed to a partner of their choice period and work on their own personal discords. The American people have commitment problems and issues with regular marriage. One (1) out of every three (3) marriages ends up in separation or divorce with heterosexuals. Fix that.
The Republicans are on a mission to regulate the insides of people homes and happiness and fit everyone in a mold that doesn't fit all. The Republicans as a whole being elected in small state races as governors, state senators and representatives has managed to ruin and take a slew of accomplishments made to elevate women issues that have passed and been law for over 30 years period, to rapidly and silently erode them in less than three years.
The Assault and silent changes on women issues taking place over America, especially the south, are like a page out of the book of The Taliban and Sharia law. There is a clear and silent message from The Republican Party to collaborate, influence and govern women especially; including with these changes, a certain other distinct or different people with alternative life styles to function and live by a certain moral and religious code of laws and ethnics.
The Right wing code "Take our country back" was the cover and code language for these life changing laws and event. The constant assault on The President and the Democrats is about covering up the other damage the GOP is really doing to America and the damage that was done to America before 2008.
The lesson learned here is that The Democrats and President Obama are doing a great job in all areas and are earning their paychecks and constantly trying. The GOP has managed to erode the America we all knew who have compromised and moved us forward to accomplish the best for all people.
To get America back on track, America must vote in every race for all democrats. This is the only way to safe guard everyone's personal ideas, viewpoints, philosophies, designs and beliefs without being demonized. By voting all democrats for this election, this will give the Republican Party an opportunity to regroup and find people who are deserving of serving all Americans and do the job that they are hired to do. The perception and thoughts that because the Republican is labeled the Republicans, you are getting a good and decent brand is no longer a true and accurate account of what's being elected. It is a damaged brand, modeled with false principles, scheming outsiders and a conniving organization with greediness, self-indulgence as their main base.
We must stop and vote the Democratic Party in every race. It is no longer about passion of a party; it is about the survival of everyone's issues.
1. Ask your Republicans friends in congress, why they want vote to eliminate the tax benefits and incentives to the big oil companies when the profits are through the roof? This isn't about The President, this is about our families. That along will reduce the deficit and keep money in our pockets.
2. Ask your GOP friends why they keep leaking sensitive information before the President or his administration on things of our National Security while we are still under attack around the world. This isn't about the President; this is about keeping America safe.
3. The other question is why would you waste your vote, voting for a rich wimp for President, who have never been in a real fight, not even as a kid, just a bully without being challenged; over a hawkish, respectful, smart, shrewd, energetic, intelligent, self-made warrior, who is still standing after being battered by the Bully Tea Party and The Bully Republicans party with no letting up? This is strictly about who is the best person for the job and measuring up the two applicants!
4. Ask your Republican friends, how many have had failed heterosexual marriages or engaged in inappropriate relationships while married? The facts are there for equality for all; relationships are built by and on many different things, right or wrong. For the Super Christians who have never sinned and always sit in the judgment seat with the moral dilemma, you meet your God and maker by yourself on judgment day.
The President is always entitled to his personal opinion and want be there to answer to God for your choices, just you.
.
First Lady Biden
For President
I am sick to death about Gays and Lesbians want this and that.. you know just shut your mouths and get on with your lives..God will punish you all, in the end.. so bla,bla,bla.. maybe God will wake you all up someday and put you all on islands and then none of you can breed and cause any more problems..Lesbians you go live on a island by yourselfs, and gay men, you go live on a island by yourselfs and then ya all will be happy.. cause ya won't be able to create anymore of ya'all.. you all make normal people sick.. I don't want to hear about how you don't get this or that.. to bad.. so sad.. get over it..
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Amazing...just amazing...
Of course homosexuals are always right and God is wrong and never means what he says.
Live it up now while you can.