Weary of Redundant Talking Points, Press Hammers Jay Carney on Obama's Same-Sex Marriage Evolution: VIDEO
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was plied with questions for 21 minutes today in the press briefing over Biden's remarks as they relate to President Obama's 'evolution' on marriage equality, Think Progress reports.
The questioning appeared to get combative at times.
The press responded by accusing Obama of laying the political groundwork for eventually embracing marriage rights and pushed back against Carney’s redundant talking points, asking marriage-related questions for 21 of the 44 minute press conference. Significantly, the press secretary could not explain if Obama agrees with Biden’s claim that he is “comfortable” with “men marrying men” or if he believes that marriage is a “civil liberty.”
Here's a bit of his exchange with ABC News' Jake Tapper:
TAPPER: And if that is the likely future of the president and this position, given that you don’t have any news to drop on it, or probably his mind has been made up, why not just come out and say it and let voters decide? It seems — it seems cynical to hide this until after the election.
CARNEY: Jake, I think the president’s position is well- known. He’s spoken to this. It’s gotten a great deal of coverage. I don’t have an update to provide you on the president’s position. It is what it was. I’m sorry you don’t want to hear about the president’s support for LGBT rights, because it’s considerable.
TAPPER: That’s not accurate — I — it’s not that I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear the same talking points 15 times in a row.
CARNEY: No, I think the — we’re talking — talking points to you; serious, substantial rights to others, OK? “Don’t ask, don’t tell” — repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell” is a serious matter. The efforts that this administration has taken on behalf of LGBT citizens are a serious matter.
TAPPER: I’m not quibbling with that, Jay. We’re talking about same-sex marriage.
CARNEY: But look, I think that’s the context of this discussion. I just don’t have anything more to give to you on the issue of the president’s views.
TAPPER: Because he’s still evolving, not because you don’t have news for me. It’s because he’s still evolving.
CARNEY: It is as it was, yes.
Think Progress posted a clip of some of the other highlights in the exchange with Carney. That, and a full video of the press briefing follows.
Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...
Full briefing:
What an awful job--being the president's mouthpiece but not allowed to talk.
Posted by: Paul R | May 7, 2012 6:13:49 PM
Paul R - that's the life of the White House press secretary, always has been, always will be. You are the spokesperson for the administration, not yourself.
Posted by: WS | May 7, 2012 6:23:10 PM
The media is trying everything they can to get Romney elected.
Posted by: melT | May 7, 2012 6:23:54 PM
Yes, WS, I'm aware of that. It's still an awful job.
Posted by: Paul R | May 7, 2012 6:29:08 PM
It's a very delicate situation. I would be very upset to see equal marriage used as a wedge issue and let it derail the election when Obama could substantially come out in favor AFTER reelection. I can wait until December to hear it, but I can't stomach Romney in power.
Posted by: Mike M. | May 7, 2012 6:30:38 PM
I really don't understand the big deal about this so called "story". Biden said he supported equal rights, even he didn't say he supports "gay marriage" (even though, obviously he does - as obviously does POTUS). This isn't news, it is just the press trying to manufacture a controversy where there is none.
Posted by: Mike | May 7, 2012 6:31:01 PM
This is just as I have feared. The gay activists are trying (with help of the press/Republicans) to paint Obama into a corner and make the election into a referendum on gay marriage. Trust, we will be blamed when he goes down in defeat along with the Democratic Party.
Posted by: carl | May 7, 2012 6:31:08 PM
Evolution is change. If you haven't changed your position, you're not "evolving".
The question should be "has the President's position on gay marriage changed today, or has he stopped evolving?"
Posted by: Vint | May 7, 2012 6:32:26 PM
When is press going to press Mittens and his spokespersons to reveal what his religious (fairy tales and puppy dogs) beliefs really mean- explain how it shapes everything that the plutocrat does as it is imperative he follow certain ridiculous truisms so that he can be there when his man in the sky returns to Mizzou? We would like to know-does he wear the magic underwear?; does he believe the dogma the founder of his cult posited?
Inquiring minds want to know and we want the press on that 24/7 -
Posted by: nick | May 7, 2012 6:51:30 PM
Maybe my decision about voting for Obama again is evolving. I'll make a decision on that after the election.
Posted by: Mike | May 7, 2012 6:58:06 PM
Mike- and when President Romney is in the WH, gay marriage will be the least of your worries.
Posted by: WS | May 7, 2012 7:01:24 PM
Hmm, should I vote for a president who speaks for gay rights, or an insane Mormon who speaks against them?
Really a tough choice. You are insane if you vote for Romney. Perhaps as insane as him.
Posted by: Paul R | May 7, 2012 7:09:11 PM
Obama should be pressed on the issue, but that DOES NOT mean we should use this as a means to not vote for Obama, nor should we allow the Republicans to use this as a wedge issue (although, they already are). Once again, we have become one of the top political storylines of an election, the gay community, our rights and livelihoods. It's good our issues are out in the open but it's very bad how we are always tossed around like a political football. We as a community have to start taking control of the means of this debate instead of allowing things to become embarrassing like this.
Posted by: Francis | May 7, 2012 7:10:29 PM
Let's wait for the results of NC's Ammendment One vote before we discuss wether making gay marriage a campaign wedge issue that can be used against Obama.
Right now, the religious right aren't exactly in love with Mitt so many might have sat this one out. You give them this issue to galvanize around and then wonder why Romney got elected.
What's the saying "cut your nose off to spite your face"?
Posted by: WS | May 7, 2012 7:20:54 PM
This is just a small taste of what will happen if Obama says he 'supports same-sex marriage' before election day.
Posted by: elg/edwin | May 7, 2012 7:28:39 PM
Are we seriously criticising Obama on his support of us and our rights ?
Are we so stupid to vote for anyone else ?
Same sex marriage must not be an issue in this election.
A candidate with policies he believes in ought to be elected..... not the Clown Prince, Romney.
The last thing I want is another popular vote on whether i should have rights.....we know how that story ends. ( Are you listening Chris Cristy ?)
Posted by: JackFknTwist | May 7, 2012 7:39:54 PM
Why can't the Press say, "MARRIAGE EQUALITY"?
Continuing to say, 'gay-marriage' sets it apart as something different... and it is not.
Even the 'informed journalists' seem to miss what's right in front of them.
Posted by: Pete n SFO | May 7, 2012 7:40:40 PM
Pete N SFP...we can call it whatever we want...the right is going to call it gay marriage. That is the buzz word they will use against us and Obama to rally their troops.
Posted by: WS | May 7, 2012 7:47:22 PM
Sorry I meant "Pete N SFO"
Posted by: WS | May 7, 2012 7:47:51 PM
Why are making this a big deal? This is ridiculous. This is why there's so much doubt in the way we organize. Making this a story is not helping us at all.
Posted by: wondermann5 (@wondermann5) | May 7, 2012 8:02:36 PM
This is such a farce. The issue won't die because Obama continues to hold to a ridiculous and untenable position.
He wants to have his cake and eat it too, but that's not what a leader does. But Obama is not a leader, and he's obviously freaked that some religious right would say.
I suspect there are some black ministers who are holding his feet to the fire on this. Otherwise, it makes no sense whatsoever.
Posted by: Randy | May 7, 2012 8:06:58 PM
Randy: What has Romney done for us lately? Seriously, I get why you are upset, but let's face it, the GOP haven't exactly been to kind to Obama the last 4 years. Everything he does, they use against him to score political points. If you think boxing him in a corner and making this election a referendum on gay marriage, marriage equality (or whatever people want to label it as) is going to get you what you want...I've got a bridge I want to sell you. I ask you again, what will President Romney do for you?
Posted by: WS | May 7, 2012 8:12:47 PM
I agree with most of the comments here. Obama is threading the needle. Tapper, btw, is totally on our side but may be doing us a disservice on this. Yes, the Press needs to press on Romney.
And here in Seattle, at least some of the tv news refers to "marriage equality".
Posted by: David R. | May 7, 2012 8:28:33 PM
To me, Obama's answer that his position is "evolving" was almost perfect. It's too bad some people have pushed him to take a position before the election because nothing is really gained by forcing him to do so now. He will have far more flexibility to take a firm position after the election. We all know what that position will be. Why do we need him to state upit. There is little to be gained by the democrats by making same sex marriage a defining issue in this election. With the economy improving, the Democrats should make this election about the economy, which is probably what most Americans are concerned about anyways.
Posted by: Jacoby | May 7, 2012 8:29:55 PM
Media does what media does best, Elect Repubicans.
Cowards. What about the economy. Those vultures are too busy trying to play gotcha games in the culture wars and let Romney walk.
Posted by: Polyboy | May 7, 2012 8:32:54 PM