Obama to supporters on same-sex marriage: Donate "if you agree"

(CBS News) Hours after President Obama's announcement on Wednesday that he supports same-sex marriage, his campaign sought to raise campaign money on the issue.

An email to supporters reads: "Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer: I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry."

The solicitation includes two links. The first is to the video of the interview the president conducted with ABC News where he announced his support. The second is links to the president's campaign fundraising page via a statement that says, "If you agree, stand up with me here."

Prior to the president's fundraising appeal, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus charged the president with using the issue of same-sex marriage for political gain.

"While President Obama has played politics on this issue, the Republican Party and our presumptive nominee Mitt Romney have been clear. We support maintaining marriage between one man and one woman and would oppose any attempts to change that," said Priebus.

And while conservative leaders say the president's announcement Wednesday will motivate the Republican base around presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney, openly-gay Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) predicts that the president will see little negative political recourse.

"This does not meant that the President's decision today was entirely without some political risk, but I believe it will be clear in the days ahead that this will cost him no votes, since those opposed to legal equality for LGBT people were already inclined to oppose him, and that it will make it easier for us to mobilize the people in this country who oppose discrimination to help reelect him," Frank said.

Other members of the president's political party have come to his side.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said, "Today marks progress for the civil rights of LGBT Americans and all Americans. With President Obama's support, we look forward to the day when all American families are treated equally in the eyes of the law."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that although his "personal belief is that marriage is between a man and women...I believe that people should be able to marry whomever they want, and it's no business of mine if two men or two women want to get married. The idea that allowing two loving, committed people to marry would have any impact on my life, or on my family's life, always struck me as absurd."

However, not all Democrats are jumping behind the president. A spokesperson for Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who is facing reelection in West Virginia, told CBS News: "His position is the same - he believes marriage is between one man and one woman."

[andie52]

I'm disappointed in him. He and Biden have made themselves look bad in the eyes of their supporters, and Mitt is a poor choice for president. What a mess

[RealWorldNow]

Now you have the real reason for his evolution......

[selfcentrist]

This article overstates the importance of the campaign donation portion of the email. EVERY communication from the Obama campaign gives supporters the opportunity to donate, this is nothing unusual nor is it motivated by greed. Much ado about nothing.

[OldGeezer43]

Just another reason to vote him out of office. I thought this was a area where State's rights come into play. Just say no to king Obama.

[justamaz]

Obama must have more than 9 lives. Anyone else with his record or his actions would be polling under 10% by now.

[skeezix06]

Do the words "we aren't that stupid" ring any bells?

[JWinATL]

Boy, that didn't take Obama very long! Is it not obvious to everyone what motivated this pronouncement?