WH Doesn't Anticipate Obama Will 'Evolve' on Same-Sex Marriage by This Week's Gay NY Fundraiser: VIDEO
President Obama is holding two fundraisers for gay donors this week in New York. Today, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked by the Washington Blade's Chris Johnson about Obama's 1996 support of same-sex marriage and his current position, which favors civil unions.
Johnson asked Carney whether Obama might be "selling his audience short by saying he supports them and wants his money for his reelection campaign but also saying at the same time he does not support their right to marry."
Answered Carney:
"I think you know that this president is very supportive of and strong on LGBT rights. And his record is significant with regard to that. He’s been very clear about his position on gay marriage, he’s been very clear about how that position is evolving. I don’t have any new announcements to make, but I think you know his record, and he’s proud of it."
In a follow-up question, Johnson asked if Obama, who has said in recent months that he is "evolving" on same-sex marriage, might evolve enough this week to come out and support it.
Answered Carney: "I don't anticipate that."
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Writes Greg Sargent at The Washington Post:
This is going to irk gay advocates in a big way. Obama first declared that his position on gay marriage is evolving back in October, when he told gay advocates that he is wrestling with the issue, and that “attitudes evolve, including mine.”
Wayne Gurl stop......Hillary Rodham Clinton your Goddess Mother said she doesn't believe in it neither (Marriage for Gays)and recently said it that it should be left up to the states. But you would NEVER babble like this about her.
The issue here is THAT YOU DON'T AND NEVER DID LIKE Barack Obama.
And you need to let it go!!! We know you're not going to vote for him and who really cares and no one is scaring anyone but get a all republican house and senate and lets see how you react then!
Idiot!
Posted by: Chris DaChocolatebearcub | Jun 21, 2011 1:09:32 AM
There is exactly one reason to vote for Obama in 2012:
The next president will choose at least one if not more Supreme Court Justices.
If that president is a Republican, that's it for our human and civil rights for a generation.
There is no other reason.
None.
And that is not reason enough to open my wallet. Vote for him, yes. Support - no, that's reserved for those Democrats who acknowledge my full human status.
Posted by: Dirk | Jun 21, 2011 2:23:11 AM
dadt is done, doma is indefensible. keep going, equality is in sight.
Posted by: andnowwhat | Jun 21, 2011 3:46:49 AM
DADT REMAINS THE LAW OF THE LAND AND DOMA CONTINUES TO BE ENFORCED TO THIS VERY DAY. That is the truth. Obama's sycophants just don't like to talk about that truth.
Posted by: Wayne | Jun 21, 2011 7:10:15 AM
Not to mention, that even when Obama does finally certify his so-called repeal of DADT, it will have little affect on gay soldiers in the military because Obama already neutered the repeal of any impact, when he forced the removal of sexual orientation from inclusion in the military non-discrimination clauses.
Posted by: Wayne | Jun 21, 2011 7:13:35 AM
He's already "evolved" away from his signed statement supporting gay marriage. Any more evolution, and it's back to the oceans for Homo Sapiens.
Posted by: bob | Jun 21, 2011 7:48:26 AM
@ernie - right on. A lot has been unsatisfactory since this country was founded and Obama is not going to wave a magic wand like Glinda and change all that. We are only a part of a progressive trend that was reversed during 8 dark years of Bush. In a way, Ralph Nader gave us Bush. No matter how pissed off we are, to waste our votes in 2012 would be stupid & could be disastrous.
Posted by: Russell | Jun 21, 2011 7:55:45 AM
"If obama says "I support gay marriage" what will happen, or what will change?"
The first commenter on this thread asked the above question and, so far, NO ONE has answered it with anything substantial.
Commenter "Dirk" said, "The next president will choose at least one if not more Supreme Court Justices. If that president is a Republican, that's it for our human and civil rights for a generation." This is reason enough to vote for AND support Obama.
Posted by: elg | Jun 21, 2011 8:43:13 AM
...I may not be totally "Evolved" in supporting Obama in 2012......I just haven't got there yet.
Posted by: Casper | Jun 21, 2011 10:35:59 AM
So, Obama was for gay marriage before he was against them? Or, against them before he was for them? Now I so confused....
I guess the choices for gay Obama supporters is either sitting in the back of the bus, or being thrown under the bus.
Meanwhile DADT is still the law, ENDA is deader than an doornail, and DOMA is alive and well.
Posted by: Ted B. (Charging Rhino) | Jun 21, 2011 10:38:18 AM
Let the man get re-elected in 2012! You know that's when he is going to really give us his full support. If there is anyone to be angry with, it's the 50% or so of voters who wouldn't vote for him due to his support of gay marriage. Times are changing fast, give him a break, he has done more for us than any other president! He has so much more work he wants to accomplish, and by being elected again for another term, he will be able to do that!
Posted by: Chris | Jun 21, 2011 11:15:09 AM
Stop the nonsense, Wayne, Ted, etc. If you believe the Republican candidate for President (whoever among the stellar possibilities that ends up being) is a better choice for gay rights than Obama, please explain. Bashing Obama without ever mentioning a plausible alternative just doesn't cut it.
DADT is on its way out. Don't pretend it's not. The refusal to defend DOMA is significant. Don't pretend it's not. Including gay people in Hate Crimes legislation, supporting anti-bullying campaigns, being against anti-gay constitutional amendments. All significant. When a President takes steps in our favor, you pressure that President to do more, take the next steps. That's Politics 101.
What a Republican President in 2012 will really mean: Attempts to reinstate DADT, vigorously defending DOMA, consideration of a federal constitutional marriage amendment, appointment of Supreme Court justices that will tilt the Court against marriage equality for generations. These are the permanent effects of another Republican in the White House. And that's just the beginning . . .
If you don't support Obama, which realistic (not dream world) candidate do you support? Somehow you always forget to mention that . . .
Posted by: Ernie | Jun 21, 2011 11:20:47 AM
Impeach Obama and his administration
Posted by: garyj | Jun 21, 2011 1:38:45 PM
Leadership on issues need to come from the top, whether its from a company or Government. I vote/endorse/contribute to candidates based on a clear strategy or manifesto, I am yet to see this from Obama. Currently he is on this "journey" which is not a clear indication he is definitely going to support LGBT marriage/rights when he has evolved (or not). Why should I contribute until I know what direction he is going in or there is clear leadership from him? In my view a good public servant will forget their own personal prejudices and do what is right, certainly LGBT people being denied 1138 benefits that straight people receive is not distributing a fair slice of the American Pie to all US tax paying citizens and Obama needs to take action on this now. Time is of the essence, the GOP might win the 2012 election, this is why I was hoping more results by now, Obama could be our last best hope for a while and frankly I am very disappointed and frustrated with his procrastination.
Posted by: Steven | Jun 22, 2011 12:50:05 PM