07/16/2009
Robert Gibbs Asked for Obama Reaction to Bill Clinton's Remarks in Support of Same-Sex Marriage
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked by ABC's Jake Tapper in yesterday's press briefing about Bill Clinton's recent statement showing support for same-sex marriage, whether Obama heard and has a reaction to the comments, and why Bill Clinton would be wrong about the issue.
Reiterating that Obama supports civil unions, Gibbs responded: "I'm not going to criticize anybody's opinion, least of all a former President of the United States, on something like this. I am not clear whether the President has seen that. I don't know where that was from, so I don't know if the President has seen it...I think the President has answered this question a number of times. I can't form a basis for why former President Clinton -- I've obviously not had a conversation with him on this issue, so I don't know what -- it's hard for me to compare some of this because I don't have the basis by which he's making that decision."
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Transcript:
Q: Just your reaction to some comments that Democrats have made both on the Hill about the health care bill, and also former President Bill Clinton recently said that he's basically in support of same-sex marriage. "I think it's wrong," he said, "for someone to stop someone else from getting involved in same-sex marriage." Has President Obama heard these comments? Does he have a reaction? And why is Bill Clinton wrong about this issue?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I'm not going to get into anybody's opinion -- I'm not going to criticize anybody's opinion, least of all a former President of the United States, on something like this. I am not clear whether the President has seen that. I don't know where that was from, so I don't know if the President has seen it.
Q But President Obama holds a different opinion?
MR. GIBBS: President Obama holds the same opinion he has earlier today.
Q Which is that same-sex marriage is wrong.
MR. GIBBS: He does not support it. He supports civil unions.
Q Why does he feel differently than President Bill Clinton?
MR. GIBBS: Because they don't agree on the issue. (Laughter.) I've not obviously spent a lot of --
Q That's not really an explanation of why he feels differently. That's another word for it.
MR. GIBBS: Well, I mean, I'm happy to -- I mean, I think the President has answered this question a number of times. I can't form a basis for why former President Clinton -- I've obviously not had a conversation with him on this issue, so I don't know what -- it's hard for me to compare some of this because I don't have the basis by which he's making that decision.
Posted 9:05 AM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Bill clinton, DOMA, Gay Marriage, News | Permalink
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Don't fall for Bill's lame attempt to keep us gays on the side of the Democrats. It's a typical Democratic Party ploy. The simple fact is that the Democrats use us. They whisper sweet words when they need our votes but then recoil from us when they don't.
Posted by: jason | Jul 16, 2009 9:13:55 AM
The answer is perfectly simple. They hate gay people. Clear enough, everybody? You don't deprive people you like of their human rights.
Posted by: Roscoe | Jul 16, 2009 9:30:41 AM
Maybe Obama is simply more religiously superstitious than Clinton.
Posted by: NSFW | Jul 16, 2009 9:36:57 AM
Okay, my own beliefs aside, I could've come up with a better response than that. I don't get why Gibbs gets so flustered by such easy questions, but I'm glad he does. It's better than the administration having a rock-solid answer.
Posted by: raf | Jul 16, 2009 9:44:10 AM
NSFW = such a troll. Obama is more religiously superstitious? Well, what has Bill Clinton been for the last 60+ years? Suddenly he's in favor of marriage-equality (thanks for DOMA!) so he's the go-to guy and Obama is a cretin?
Roscoe = I'm on your side but on the opposite end of that side. "You hate me!" won't be a great way to get any action out of anybody.
Jason = The Democrats are the only side to be on re gay rights, politically speaking. Or you can decide fuck it and be pure in your beliefs and not work within politics at all, which is an option.
I find it weird that Gibbs is being asked this. At this point the press knows it's a weak spot (weak being the operative word when it comes to Obama's stances on gay issues) so they're just needling. In reality, why should Obama have any comment on Bill Clinton's beliefs on anything?
All that said...I'm glad Bill is admitting what he's probably believed all along, and I remain hopeful and expectant that Obama's own false evolution won't take eight years plus eight years plus Michelle running and losing to occur.
Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | Jul 16, 2009 9:44:24 AM
Every entreaty to me from Obama for America, the DNC or the Democratic Senatorial Election Committee gets a variation on this message: "Sorry, this GayTM is out of service. Please try again when qualified GBLT Americans aren't drummed out of the military." Substitute whatever you want for the punch line -- DOMA, hate crimes bill, I've used them all over the last few weeks -- but tell them that the wallet is closed. It's the ONLY thing they understand.
Posted by: MikeMick | Jul 16, 2009 9:51:02 AM
@ MATTHEW RETTENMUND - low blow on the Michelle running and losing comment, but it did make me laugh!
Posted by: AERES | Jul 16, 2009 10:06:01 AM
Robert Gibbs talk real good. Him best man for job.
Posted by: paul c | Jul 16, 2009 10:19:06 AM
Michael,
"In reality, why should Obama have any comment on Bill Clinton's beliefs on anything?"
I totally agree that the fact Obama and Clinton disagree on something is a non-issue (and it doesn't necessarily make Clinton "wrong" in Obama's eyes).
But I am glad the press keeps bringing this question up, because it keeps it from sliding to the backburner, where the administration would prefer it for now.
Posted by: raf | Jul 16, 2009 10:19:42 AM
Roscoe --- Saying they "Hate Gay People" gives them too much credit .... they dont' hate gay people .... the fact is these are Straight Supremists (some of them secretly Bi and Gay) --- who are fighting to MAINTAIN Straight Supremacy because they GET MORE $$$ than the groups they keep down - the opposite of collectivism. They fear that if equality is allowed they will have less.... so they compare us to pedophiles because they are greedy (the real powers that be then whip up the religious masses --- just like in the middle east.)
Just like White Supremacy.
Straight Supremacy is about being Conservative: conserving and maintaining SPECIAL RIGHTS that go to the dominant group. The right does not call it a culture WAR in jest.
Posted by: Willie | Jul 16, 2009 10:24:20 AM
MATTHEW RETTENMUND... I stated that Clinton could be less religiously hung-up, certainly not guilt free. Clinton has less reason to be cautious now that he's left office. Either way, religious judgment remains the prime obstacle to our civil rights.
btw, you did a really great job minding the Towle-store last week, very much improved over your attempt last year. As for your own site, it's simply less than interesting and too derivative to warrant a return visit. So don't worry about any "troll" infestations there.
Posted by: NSFW | Jul 16, 2009 10:50:26 AM
Despite Clinton's (very limited, too little, too late and meaningless) change of mind, Barack Obama is still opposed to SSM because he’s:
1. a christian bigot…
2. a clone of slick Willie (except that Obama slithered from support of SSM to opposition to it and Clinton slithered in the other direction)…
3. a disgusting hustler who captured the bigot vote with his war cry "gawd's in the mix" and isn't about to let Republican gang members recapture them from his gang…
4. a sick sadist who loves driving the bus…
5. All of the above.
QJersey contributed 2 more:
1. F) Has no balls
2. G) Is waiting until his second term because if he supports same sex marriage now he fears it could cost him re-election.
All we need is three more.
Posted by: Bill Perdue | Jul 16, 2009 11:37:19 AM
Michelle would never run for office. She's too nice to get into politics.
Posted by: Kevin | Jul 16, 2009 11:57:50 AM
I'm glad that bill clinton is the first former president to EVER come out in support of gay marriage! I love to hear when we have more support! Now we have both Al Gore and Bill Clinton. Let's stop stomping our feet and start welcoming those who will now speak out in favor of equal marriage!
Posted by: KFLO | Jul 16, 2009 12:26:35 PM
Ditto RAF and KFLO.
I loves me some Jake Tapper. And Michelle too.
Posted by: David R. | Jul 16, 2009 12:59:31 PM
I think I have to make sure if I ever see him, I finish up my comments to him by saying, "oh, and I think it's wrong they let you marry Michelle, this is America, people like the two of you shouldn't be allowed to marry, it's against my religion."
sigh... oh, I'm kidding, but that's what it's like... shame he doesn't get it.
Posted by: dal | Aug 3, 2009 5:25:47 AM