Obama Likely to Discuss Views on Gay Marriage in ABC News Interview Today
President Obama is likely to address his "evolving" views on same-sex marriage in an interview Wednesday, the NYT reports:
The interview, to be conducted by Robin Roberts, an anchor on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and was secured in the wake of a declaration by Mr. Obama’s vice president, Joseph R. Biden, on Sunday that he was “absolutely comfortable” with same-sex marriages...
...The sudden booking suggests an interest on the part of the White House to get Mr. Obama in front of cameras, albeit in a carefully controlled interview setting, as soon as possible.
ABC secured the interview with Mr. Obama on Tuesday afternoon, according to two people involved in the planning. It will take place at the White House. The interview was so hastily arranged, in fact, that Ms. Roberts was still in New York on Wednesday morning to co-host “Good Morning America”– and was planning on returning to New York right after the interview, because her mother is visiting and the two have dinner plans on Wednesday evening.
It will be a “wide-ranging interview,” an ABC News spokesman said.
Portions of the interview will be released today, and some on Good Morning America on Thursday, the paper reports.
@SCOTINYC-- "We need better representation than that?"
Hmmm. Better than overturning DADT, passing Hate Crimes legislation, et al? So you and your Liza Queens think your great "message" in the non-swing states will be heard-- I'd like to know how, exactly, that is possible. Is he going to read your ballots? If he is "winning the state anyway" short of "crapping on the bible" (how eloquent)-- your great Liza Queen Movement makes an impact how????? Look, if you have a queeny hissyfit when you don't get EVERYTHING you want-- even with the most gay friendly president we have ever had-- who has done more for us than any other President to date-- even when political reality dictates that NO ONE gets every single thing on their wishlist exactly when they want it-- if you still need have your Liza moment, have at it. Desperate, sad and lame. And completely stupid and ineffective.
Posted by: iawl | May 9, 2012 12:58:59 PM
Wow, Iawl, name calling? Mature. My point was that 1 million votes for a notable supporter of gay rights, not Obama, may get attention of some gay friendly press/blogs etc. and eventually, possibly,make a change. To me, it is better than holding my nose and voting for the lesser of 2 evils. That is my opinion. If you are satified with Obama, vote for him. Your arguments, as rude as they are, have not won me over.
Posted by: ScottNYC | May 9, 2012 1:15:23 PM
I don't understand people who are willing not to vote for Obama unless he does this, but then the moment he does, we say it's too late. WTF is wrong with you guys. Either it's based on principle and holding them accountable to do the right thing or you guys are just being big fat dicks about it and working against your own interest.
Posted by: Misty | May 9, 2012 1:40:50 PM
"Either it's based on principle and holding them accountable to do the right thing or you guys are just being big fat dicks about it and working against your own interest."
Or, Misty, they could be Koch brother funded plants trying to get other people to pick up this anti-Obama "I just won't vote!" petulance.
Posted by: Dastius Krazitauc | May 9, 2012 1:51:36 PM
I think the Liza bomb is an interesting option. I'm pretty happy with Obama, even on gay rights. Believe me, there's PLENTY I don't like about his policies and abilities, but - on the whole - he's certainly one of the best presidents we've had in my 50+ years in this country.
But I live in California, so Obama will win no matter what. I wonder if that gives me the luxury to write in Liza Minelli? I certainly would never do anything to jeopardize his re-election, but he wouldn't lose California if every queer in the state voted for Liza.
As for this interview, I think he'll be making an ass of himself if he continues his evolution line at this point. His political calculations and the hysterical fears of many gay folk are all wrong. He's got nothing to lose and plenty to gain by coming out clearly in favor of equal marriage rights. Nobody, not the vaunted Independents and certainly not the EvanTeaThugicans are going to switch their vote away from Obama if he dons his Fierce Advocate hat. And I daresay the young voters who've lost a bit of enthusiasm for the president would be nothing but galvanized by a strong stand for equal rights from the president.
Posted by: Zlick | May 9, 2012 1:54:50 PM
I would rather have a neutral Obama re-elected than have an obvious homophobic Mormon in the White House.
Posted by: chuck | May 9, 2012 2:28:25 PM