Obama team calls Romney "backward on equality"

(CBS News) In years past, Republicans have sought to use the issue of same-sex marriage to their political advantage, but this year, President Obama's re-election team is looking to turn the tables.

One day after the president announced his support for same-sex marriage, the Obama campaign has released a web video blasting Romney for position on the issue, calling him "backward on equality."

The video shows Romney saying Monday that he opposes same-sex marriage, as well as civil unions "if they're identical to marriage, other than by name." The video then points out that former President George W. Bush supported civil unions. It notes that Romney thinks benefits like hospital visitation rights should be left to the states and would support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Mr. Obama's support for same-sex marriage may not have much impact among the electorate overall, though it could help rally his base, to a certain degree. But it's also possible the issue could alienate Mr. Obama somewhat from socially conservative Democrats and independents.

On the flip side, pressing Romney on the issue could possibly alienate the presumptive Republican nominee from moderate and liberal-leaning independents. More critically, it distracts from the economy -- the issue that voters really care about. Social conservatives say the president's announcement will make same-sex marriage a major issue in the presidential election," but Romney clearly wants to focus on reminding voters about high unemployment and weak economic output.

At the end of an interview with CBS affiliate KCNC in Colorado on Monday, Romney expressed his irritation at the reporter's focus on issues other than the economy. "Aren't there issues of significance you'd like to talk about?" he asked.

On Thursday's "CBS This Morning," former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Romney should stay out of the discussion on the issue.

"I think this is going to work for or against the president on its own. Republicans should stay the heck out of it," he said.

[LiluChama]

I have read a couple of comments already and all I can say is: I support love. (I know its very cheesy) Also, whatever happened to separation of church and state? There are moral homosexuals and immoral heterosexuals--I do not believe sexuality is the biggest part of morality. And I haven't memorized the Bible or anything, but I thought only God was allowed to judge people, a healthy sense of skepticism is all you can have as a human, you can not be right about everyone. I'm pretty sure God made us all on his image and with the same amount of love and care... what I dislike is when people say something is wrong or right ONLY according to the Bible when things like slavery and other forms of discrimination was said to be supported by it too! Do people sincerely believe Christianity has always been used morally? Of course the notion of sins in the Bible are universal to humankind even if someone does not believe in God, like murder or adultery and the other obvious ones--or maybe not so obvious ones. For now it seems the US is at a huge crossroads. I am glad I am a heterosexual because when I fall in love I know I can be with that person... I feel bad when others do not have the same chance at that destiny. This whole argument is over Christian Privilege and Heterosexual Privilege being encroached upon, no? Eventual power declination never goes without a fight! Do not try that homosexuality will lead to wild hedonism argument with me, as far as I'm concerned heterosexuals already have that down in the US, you know what I'm talking about!

[nygurl1]

Does CBS not know that man is **** sapiens?

[stephand]

They want to make this election about social issues, to hide the discussion about government spending and the economy...

[magnumdr]

Romney is right on the mark when it comes to two same sex couples getting married Do we have no more morrrals in the USA any more?. The kind of sex that two men have together is morally wrong to do. A Man and a Woman get married to have a family with children of their own to raise. I don't think that two men or two women that have sex together can have a same gene family so what is the sence in these gays getting married. It's all wrong and most of us know this. Stop being liberal just to "fit in". If you know that this is wrong don't be afraid to say it!

[retiredgustav]

If it is morals you want then let ban divorce.

[nygurl1]

Just because 2 people are same sex doesn't mean they won't have kids.

Why do they want a ceremony?
1 - If one is in hospital the other cannot visit if the family says so.
2 - He cannot tell the hospital that he wants a DNR order.
3 - The partner cannot inherit what is his.
4 - He cannot put his partner on his insurance.

Hows that for a start? I knew a couple who when one died, the family descended on their house and basically stripped it of everything of value.
How'd you like that to happen to you?

[sgbarnes1]

"Some animals are more equal than others" I'm thinking of Holder and the DOJ who won't support whites but attack any state trying to get rid of the illegal population.

[scottpatrick1234]

What two men or two women do together is not marriage. It is an abomination.

[TimeToEvolve]

One American, no one has to get married in a church. Even those who do that need a license from the state. So that is no argument.

And why do you so hate freedom and equality for Americans?

[TimeToEvolve]

I love it the same right wing hypocrites who are blaming Obama for dividing are the ones in favor of inequality in income and wealth in America.

They don't get that Obama is UNITING America so that we all have the same rights and chances to raise families without discrimination.

[nygurl1]

AMEN! TOO bad the idiots won't let him!

[KPeters_from_UK]

bmallen3

If you want to learn more about the Romans read Mary Beard, professor from Cambridge. Cambridge is an university... ;)

[KPeters_from_UK]

But then again, the Tea Party is too anti-learning to actually want to read.

[TimeToEvolve]

That comment is such a no brainer because Robmee is a Republicon. They really, really don't like freedom and equality and what the US Constitution says.

Oh and Robmee is also a no brainer because he is a Republicon.