Obama: Biden forced hand on same-sex marriage, but "all's well"

CBS/AP

UPDATED 10:32 a.m. ET

(CBS News) President Obama says he is not upset with Vice President Joe Biden for getting out in front of the boss on same-sex marriage because he had already decided to back same-sex marriage before the vice president said over the weekend that he was "comfortable" with same-sex couples getting married.

"I had already made a decision that we were going to take this position before the election and before the convention," Mr. Obama said in an interview with ABC News and referring to the Democratic nominating convention set to take place this summer.

Asked if he was upset with Biden for jumping the gun, Mr. Obama said Biden "got out a little bit over his skis, but out of generosity of spirit."

"Would I have preferred to have done this in my own way in my own terms without I think there being a a lot of notice to everybody? Sure, but all's well that ends well," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama became the first sitting president to publicly back same-sex marriage Wednesday when he said "for me personally it is important for me to affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married."

Those comments mark another step in his "evolution" of thoughts on the topic.

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.

Some of those friends are in Hollywood.

And tonight Mr. Obama is scheduled to be at actor George Clooney's house in California for a fundraiser that is expected to bring in close to $15 million, the largest single fundraiser in U.S. history.

Many in attendance have been vocal advocates for gay rights and after Biden made his comments Sunday, it became harder for the president to say his views were still "evolving."

It is not just glitzy parties with fancy actors where the president may be using the issue to raise money.

Within hours of making the news, his campaign sent an e-mail to supporters asking for donations if they agree with his views.

Many of them do as public opinion on the issue has shifted sharply in recent years. 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.

Which is why his campaign also has a new ad touting his decision as moving "Forward," while portraying rival Mitt Romney as moving "backward on equality."

The campaign unveiled a 90-second YouTube video for supporters that characterizes Romney's opposition to same-sex marriage and "civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name" as denying rights "for your partner and kids." The ad notes that "even President Bush supported civil unions."

Presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney said Wednesday that he continues to believe that marriage is a union between a man and a woman but declined to comment directly on the evolution of Mr. Obama's views.

"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.

"My view is that marriage itself is a relationship between a man and a woman, and that's my own preference. I know other people have differing views. This is a very tender and sensitive topic, as are many social issues, but I have the same view I've had ... since running for office," Romney said.

[libbiesRliers]

Obama: "I supported gay marriage before I was against gay marriage. Now I'm for it again".

What he has failed to admit is that he utterly failed to produce a single working thread of useful economic policy to turn around the economy, failed miserably on promised about Afghanistan and Iraq, and caved in crony capitalists who own the DNC.

Good job America. You elected bozo the clown. The only difference between Obie and Dubya is the color of their ties.

[nuunuunuu]

LibbiesRliers.....must be looking in the mirror. Oh how they love to project.
Obama NEVER said as you use quotes, I supported gay marriage before I was against gay marriage. Now I'm for it again.
Looks like YOU ARE the LAIR unless YOU can prove this quote was said, and the source and the Link to follow up.
Just rememeber, Mitt, the guy who lost to the guy who lost to Obama, boy that GOP knows how to pick a loser.

[modestoca76]

I don't know what planet you've been living on "Actornaught" for the past 4 years but the economy has not improved but steadily declined...about the only consistent thing Obama and the Dems have managed to accomplish. Unemployment is higher than it has ever been. We have more debt now from the spendthrift stimulus gambling Obama's made than we've had in the history of the USA. Oil prices are higher than ever, as Obama turns down Canada's pipeline that would bring oil and jobs to the USA and instead will be partnered with China. Speaking of China, that's where all our manufacturing jobs are going. Businesses don't want to deal with all the rules and regulations, taxes and liberal unions that hound them when they set up shop in the USA. Obama and his cronies have only perpetuated the consumer economy that's been going on for some time. The only "Change" we've gotten is a change for the worse. Now Obama and his socialist pals are flip flopping on gay marriage to get Hollywood money and the gay/liberal extremist vote last minute.....although I support gay marriage and am gay myself, I do not support Obama and will not be voting for him just to get gay marriage passed. If you're one of those people who vote someone in based on ONE thing and don't look at the whole picture then you are a FOOL! Oh, and by the way, I'm so sick of liberal extremists blaming Bush for the state of the economy after 4 years of Obama....you are such hypocrite idiots! You sure didn't blame Clinton when the economy downturned at the end of his term and got passed on to Bush...You can't have it one way and not another. The economy's been going downhill since Clinton and fell into an abyss with Obama.... Obama wants to thank all you comrades for electing him into office, maybe you can resurrect Stalin and have him and the rest of the living dead, pets, hanging chads, black panther thugs...whatever you crooks can muster vote in more Dems...

[takacrat]

Big Stick Obama
First Lady Biden
For President

[patilee3]

Don't believe it for one minute. It was carefully scripted, Biden made his remarks to test the waters. If there had been serious backlash Obama would not have made his. I'm just glad he FINALLY made the statement. Now can we please move on to other things....hmmm...the economy maybe. Gay or straight we all need jobs.

[Bucky4U]

At the beginning of his governorship, Romney opposed same-sex marriage and civil unions, but advocated tolerance and supported some domestic partnership benefits.

Faced with the dilemma of choosing between same-sex marriage or civil unions after the November 2003 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision legalizing same-sex marriages (Goodridge v. Department of Public Health), Romney reluctantly backed a state constitutional amendment in February 2004 that would have banned same-sex marriage but still allow civil unions, viewing it as the only feasible way to ban same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

<b>In May 2004, Romney instructed town clerks to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples</b>, but citing a 1913 law that barred out-of-state residents from getting married in Massachusetts if their union would be illegal in their home state, no marriage licenses were to be issued to out-of-state same-sex couples not planning to move to Massachusetts.

In June 2005, Romney abandoned his support for the compromise amendment, stating that the amendment confused voters who oppose both same-sex marriage and civil unions.

[bileven]

Seeing how Mass is primarily Liberal minded, it makes total sense. The job of a politician is to represent the majority, and make decisions based on their best interst.. not his own, and NOT some yahoo that would rather protect the rights of 3-4 at the cost of right to a 100....

Now, let's Obama try and set aside his personal agenda for the greater good... Never gonna happen... He has proven he is nothing but a carnival show... and liberals and minorities are eating it up, without single thought of who is running the show.

[ProgressNow]

62% favor gay marriage....

[bileven]

yeah, 62% of those polled from gay communities.

You might want to actually check the voting result from every prior state election that had a measure covering the subject... you may actually find out how ridiculous that statement is ProgressNow.

By the way, I can go hang out in certain parts of town and get far greater results. Polls are manipulated both ways, deoending on who's paying for it.

[Whirled-Peas]

It's a brilliant strategy if you examine it; the only voters who will matter in November will be the undecideds and they are mostly concerned with the economy. The repuglicans have done nothing but break their promise to be all about jobs, jobs, jobs and have instead chosen to focus on social issues like immigration, abortion and gay marriage. In the process they are alienating huge blocks of the electorate.

The more Obama lets them talk about all these other issues the more people will see how empty their message truly is.

[michaelz06]

DO you spend your life looking in a mirror? It is Obama and the Democrats who keep doing their damnest to distract from the important issues with this fringe drivel....

[Whirled-Peas]

michael, you really have no idea what is going on here, do you?

[johntlofty]

From the comments by conservatives on this board, you'd think gay marriage is the biggest problem facing this country. About 30% of the electorate really have a fixed opposition to gay marriage. I suspect they are the same people who are anti-choice and don't believe in evolution or global warming. Hardly likely Obama voters in the first place.

It's nice that Obama finally came around on this. This is the one issue that many African-Americans disagree with him on, but I don't think they are about to turn against Obama over this.

[Whirled-Peas]

I knew he'd have a bunch of conservative ideas long before I ever voted for him. All he's doing is splitting the electorate to get the undecideds vote. Vote for Ron Paul if you don't like it. Oh wait, he didn't get nominated.

[tryingtodogoodwork]

I'm married to a lovely and extraordinary woman, we're expecting our first child in October -- and gay marriage does not lessen or degrade the value of my marriage (or yours or anyone's) in the least. Nor does it challenge my masculinity or her femininity. What a ridiculously fearful person it takes not to recognize the right of all people to marry anyone they choose.

Strong, smart, wise, brave decision Mr. President.

Obama, 2012!!!!!!!!

[byrdh5n1]

Dog. I suppose to you, respect, mutual admiration and affection, committment, and thoughtful reflection on the power of ones relationship equates to dysfunction. Zip up: your agenda is showing.....

[scottpatrick1234]

When Jesus was asked about marriage, he said: "But from the beginning God made them male and female. For this reason a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife. They are no longer two, but one. What God has joined together, let no on separate." (Mark 10)

Jesus taught that God purposefully made human beings as male and female so that they would join together as husband and wife. Jesus called man and woman to live in marriage as God originally designed from the beginning of creation. This is why Jesus even forbade divorce of a lawful marriage.

Homosexuality is contrary to Jesus and his teachings. It is contrary to reason. It is irrational and immoral.

[jmn122736]

jackpenn May 10, 2012 1:55 PM EDT
It is time for all of us good Christian people in America, who believe in God's written Word, to denounce this type of leadership, and make sure we all get out and vote in this upcoming election, so we out number the ones who want this type of person representing them. We want our God to continue to bless America, not be ashamed of America.
------------------------

Would that be the same god created by Joseph Smith, the convicted con artist, who created the Mormon religion from supposed golden plates that were never seen by anyone else or officially documented? The same Mormon cult of which Romney is such a high-ranking member?

[jackpenn]

No, this would be the one and only God, who created all of mankind, and all life on Earth, who sent His only son, Jesus to sacrifice His life to save all of us from our sins, so one day those of us who truly believe in this particular God of Love, will avoid death and join Him in Heaven, along with all of the faithful believers in Him, who love Him as much as He loves us, and who obey His commandments, while living as mortal human beings here on Earth, until our time here is over.

[jmn122736]

Well then jackpenn, would that be the same Jesus that copied/performed the miracles of earlier Greek/Roman gods, miracles like walking on water, turning water into wine, returning from the dead?