Obama FlipFlops on gay marriage

[ScreamingEagle]

Obama used to say marriage was between a man and a woman....no longer...

July 2, 2008

Gay rights moved to the forefront of the presidential campaign Tuesday after Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's announcement that he opposes a November ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage in California.

In a letter to San Francisco's Alice B. Toklas Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Democratic Club, the presumptive presidential nominee said he opposed "the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution" and similar efforts in other states.

Obama's position on Proposition 8 was announced at a club event Sunday. Last week, Arizona Sen. John McCain, the expected GOP standard-bearer in November, told officials of Protect Marriage, a coalition that gathered 1.1 million signatures for the California measure, that he backs their efforts "to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman."

For both campaigns, the decision to get involved in the same-sex marriage debate carries political risks.

California is one of three states with same-sex marriage bans on the November ballot. While the state is seen as Obama country, and Arizona is McCain's home state, Florida, the third state seeking to limit marriage to a man and a woman, is a swing state that will be a major prize in the November election.

Obama is skating gingerly past his previous position on the issue.

The Illinois senator has said repeatedly that he believes marriage should be only between man and a woman. When the California Supreme Court overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage in May, Obama released a carefully nuanced statement saying he respected the court's decision, believed states should make their own decisions on marriage and "will continue to fight for civil unions as president."

On Tuesday, Obama spokeswoman Shannon Gilson released this statement:

"Senator Obama supports civil unions, and he has consistently opposed federal and state constitutional marriage amendments because as we have seen in some states, enshrining a definition of marriage into the constitution can allow states to roll back the civil rights and benefits that are provided in domestic partnerships and civil unions."

But civil unions, gay activists argue, aren't the same as marriage, and they say his earlier stance would put Obama on the wrong side of what's increasingly seen as a civil rights issue.

Obama opposes proposed ban on gay marriage

 

[Ravi]

He finally got something right.

 

[ScreamingEagle]

He finally got something right.

Wrong.

 

[midcan5]

Good for him, it is about time the constitution covered everyone.

 

[jillian]

Actually, he always said he PERSONALLY believed marriage was between a man and a woman, but that he opposed any BANS on same sex marriage.

And he's always supported civil unions.

You can follow that SE, right?

 

[ScreamingEagle]

Good for him, it is about time the constitution covered everyone.

Where does the Constitution cover marriage?

 

[ScreamingEagle]

Actually, he always said he PERSONALLY believed marriage was between a man and a woman, but that he opposed any BANS on same sex marriage.

And he's always supported civil unions.

You can follow that SE, right?

Yep...he's like any twisted politician....

Tell me....why did he suddenly "come out" for gay marriage if his position was so pro-gay to begin with? Why did he used to say marriage was between a man and a woman?

 

[Shogun]

enter a misrepresented Loving decision in 4.. 3.. 2..

 

[jillian]

enter a misrepresented Loving decision in 4.. 3.. 2..

*Yawn*

 

[jillian]

Hey, shogie... do you think that repeatedly saying that Loving doesn't say marriage is a fundamental right makes it not so?

If you do, you're far more delusional than I thought.

 

[Shogun]

Hey jilly, do you think insisting that it does minimizes the FACT of illegal polygamy? If so, then your law degree is worth less than you paid for it.

 

[Shogun]

*Yawn*

yawn indeed. Did you have anything else to add to this conversation or is this where you assume that your bar exam invalidates the mormon punchline to your goofy Loving joke?

 

[Gunny]

Good for him, it is about time the constitution covered everyone.

The Constitution doesn't cover marriage, genius.

 

[Glori.B]

The Constitution doesn't cover marriage, genius.

well, but it does cover equality...and since our government provides special benefits to those who are married, why shouldn't people who choose a same sex partner, receive equal benefits?

because God said so? what about separation of church and state? and certainly, given the current rate of infidelity and divorce, the whole social stability argument is laughable, no?

 

[Steerpike]

well, but it does cover equality...and since our government provides special benefits to those who are married, why shouldn't people who choose a same sex partner, receive equal benefits?

because God said so? what about separation of church and state? and certainly, given the current rate of infidelity and divorce, the whole social stability argument is laughable, no?

I don't think the Constitution requires gay marriage, but States are free to provide for it if they wish (and they should in my view).

 

[Glori.B]

I don't think the Constitution requires gay marriage, but States are free to provide for it if they wish (and they should in my view).

i said the constitution requires equality.

 

[Steerpike]

i said the constitution requires equality.

Yeah, but thats subject to interpretation. Your post implies that you think that equality means gay marriage. I disagree.

 

[Glori.B]

Yeah, but thats subject to interpretation. Your post implies that you think that equality means gay marriage. I disagree.

ok...so, who decided that couples who are married get tax benefits?
who decided couples who are married get social security benefits?
why?

why are some american citizens allowed to be deprived of equal benefits?
equality is not an opinion.

 

[Chris]

Obama used to say marriage was between a man and a woman....no longer...

Why are Repubicans so obsessed with gay marriage?

 

[Steerpike]

ok...so, who decided that couples who are married get tax benefits?
who decided couples who are married get social security benefits?
why?

why are some american citizens allowed to be deprived of equal benefits?
equality is not an opinion.

There are all sorts of inequalities in the country. The question is whether the inequalities are a problem Constitutionally. If they're based on race, for example, then they probably are (at least if the government is behind it). Not every inequality is a Constitutional issue.