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:
Let them know our votes aren't assured. It's time that evolving becomes evolved.
Posted by: yonquersconquers | May 7, 2012 8:33:18 PM
I think the President has pretty much stated his position when he opposed North Carolina's Amendment One. When he and the DOJ decided not to defend DOMA. That is more than any politician has ever done!!
Posted by: Jay | May 7, 2012 8:48:40 PM
Exactly Jay! You guys don't think Romney and the right would love to have his administration fight DOMA, or try to bring back in Dont Ask Don't Tell, or anything else we have achieved with Obama?
Food for thought: Romney's reaction to today's gay marriage dust up at the White House...he hasn't been in favor of gay marriage, he won't be on favor of gay marriage and he WILL NEVER CHANGE HIS MIND ON THE ISSUE! So ask yourself which guy will have your best interests in mind when he's sitting in the White House? Really?
Posted by: PJ | May 7, 2012 9:42:37 PM
While I appreciate and support marriage equality, to me, the larger, more important issue should be employment nondiscrimination. I think it should be number one priority to ensure that no one is fired simply for being GLBT.
Obama's first step to making amends to the community is to sign the Executive Order requiring non-discrimination in governmental contractors, and then throw the full support of his office behind ENDA.
Once we're able to be out in the office and factory, where people can't deny our existence and can see our families, then marriage will fall in line.
Posted by: Talisman | May 7, 2012 10:21:42 PM
I appreciate all the persons who have posted about this being a wedge issue. Evangelicals have found it hard to embrace Romney (there's an image). This controversy is just a means to push them off the "none of the above" ticket into a reluctant but "righteous vote" (as one radio host called it last month).
It's just like that scene from the West Wing episode "20 hours in LA":
Bartlett: Right now, right this second, the worst thing that could possibly happen to
gay rights in this country is for me to put that thing on the debating table, which is
happens the minute I open my mouth. Do you get that? I'm a human starting gun, Ted. You got to trust me! I know what I'm doing."
The moment the President opens his mouth and says same-sex marriage, it will be the starting gun for evangelicals to run the rest of the way to Romney.
Posted by: R.Ben | May 7, 2012 10:36:24 PM
@R.Ben ypu are exactly right...and then they win.
Posted by: PJ | May 7, 2012 10:38:24 PM
I think that this is suddenly becoming a big issue because there's an election coming up and, like it or not, Americans consistently vote against gay marriage. The president has so far played this issue smartly and laid the foundation for long-term changes over symbolism designed to satiate political demand. On a personal level, I have no doubt Obama supports gay marriage just as he did in the 90s when the idea was far less popular. But unfortunately he faces the real world and the catch 22 of politics; prove your integrity by making positive change as you see it while necessarily compromising your integrity in order to win. Be smart about this everyone and don't let the media make him the enemy or hero of gays right now. Don't get distracted. There is no question as to who has our back, at the very least in relative terms, and this growing narrative serves no purpose but to help our enemies. Be patient and wise.
Posted by: Wes | May 7, 2012 10:51:28 PM
Who is the larger group of people:
1) People who are half-heartedly voting for Obama but would suddenly turn away if they found out he supported marriage equality; or
2) People who voted for Obama last time but are pissed off that he's not taking a definitive stand on this issue one way or the other, and want to see something concrete in order to come back to the table?
I really have to think it's #2, but maybe I'm not paying enough attention.
Posted by: Harrison | May 8, 2012 1:46:04 AM
Pres. Obama's opinion on same sex marriage is accepted by me. It is evolving he says - and in the progressive direction. Now take Romney's view on the topic. 'Nuff said.
Don't turn against voting for Obama becuase of this.
Posted by: And NowThis | May 8, 2012 4:38:48 AM
I'm really getting tired by this. Why is it so important that Obama comes out in full support of marriage equality before the election, when it's clear that such a position could make him lose on November 6th?
This is a dangerous game by some misguided LGBT activists, that could play in the hands of the Repuglicans and end up in a real disaster for our community, if Romney is elected.
And yes I know, there is a slim majority of Americans who support marriage equality, but the problem is, that in most swing states there isn't (not yet) a majority for it and that could make him lose this election.
Posted by: Peter M. | May 8, 2012 6:25:35 AM
Gay marriage is already a wedge issue. Romney isn't insane, he just has different beliefs than you do, and characterizing him as insane or stupid only makes you look incredibly immature and not really smart enough to be listened to. Do I agree with Romney? No, on almost every single issue, no. Do I think he's insane or an idiot because we have wholly different beliefs? No. Grow up, your immaturity and name calling is the problem here.
Posted by: Donald | May 8, 2012 9:59:44 AM
Forgive me for being shallow, but ...
MAN I find Jay Carney dreamier than dreamy.
Would love to:
a) walk firmly up to the podium;
b) remove his spectacles;
c) loosen his tie;
d) and go from there...
Posted by: Michael in Toronto | May 8, 2012 1:04:32 PM