What Impact Will Obama's Marriage Announcement Have In November?
Now that President Obama has come out in support of same-sex marriage, many people and pundits, including the New York Times, are wondering whether the decision was "inevitable." Did he have a choice, or was he pushed by a changing culture and more forceful advocates, including his own vice president? And, more importantly, what impact will this news will have on the forthcoming November election?
In some ways, Mr. Obama is late to the party. Mr. Biden was just the latest prominent Democrat to announce his support, and many now say that it seems unthinkable that by 2016 any serious Democratic presidential candidate would oppose gay marriage.
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In addition to the risks, [there are] clear potential upsides for Mr. Obama. His announcement, while symbolic rather than carrying the force of law, could energize big parts of his base, particularly younger voters, and reassure liberal Democrats who had been disappointed with Mr. Obama on this issue. It will no doubt help with gay people, already among his biggest donors.
Tell me, reader, does Obama's marriage support make you more enthusiastic about the election, or is this symbolic announcement simply a bit of good news that will be swallowed by a sea of economic and social woes?
@Andrew
Who do you think actually cares about a Presidential primary for an already sitting President? No one goes out and votes for those because they're irrelevant -- we already know Obama will be our candidate.
Like I said, these "off" election voters aren't representative of the group that comes out to vote for Presidential elections.
Posted by: joest | May 10, 2012 10:58:11 AM
Lord have mercy.
The pearl-clutchers are out in force today. Sure, it probably energizes the conservative base. But what about Democrats? People who vote on principles, too. And you don't have to be ultra-left and ultra-liberal to believe in equality.
For those of you who are oh-so-worried, what do you plan to do besides fret and wring your hands? Do you contribute to the campaign, with your dollars and/or your time? Do you use your connections to prod your friends and acquaintances to not forget to vote? Do you prod your young relatives to stand up and speak out? Do you post, and frequently, on your Facebook and twitter accounts? Do you add your voice and your face to the principle that equality DOES matter?
Or do you just sit there and complain?
Posted by: TJ | May 10, 2012 11:08:22 AM
Here's another suggestion, a "twofer": Make a purchase at JCP. Let the sales associate know why you are supporting that company. Tell them to let their managers know.
These are people with friends and families. Those who are supportive will tell their friends and families about the positive results of supporting diversity. And the snowball begins. All because you bought a pair of socks and told someone why. Simple activism.
Posted by: TJ | May 10, 2012 11:23:23 AM
Too little, too late. Would have mattered to me if it wasn't an election year. What happened? Someone crunched the numbers and evolved into realizing Obama really does need the gay vote to be reelected? Hope he sticks with it even after he is elected. I couldn't stomach another "oh, I never said I supported gay marriage. I said I would give myself an order to work on evolving into supporting gay marriage...some day."
Posted by: Griff | May 10, 2012 11:39:33 AM
Hey GRIFF, how about Better late than NEVER, which is what you will get from the GOP?
Posted by: TJ | May 10, 2012 11:44:36 AM
@TJ
It's the same thing to me. Blue. Red. Tea bag colored. All politicians lie. I see no difference in Republicans and Democrats. They will promise anything to everyone to get anywhere but will not remember it past November.
Here's the thing: Most GOP's are not racist bigots. They are greedy little power-hungry leeches. Most Dem's are not stargazing saints. They are greedy little power-hungry leeches. Obama simply plays the heartstrings of gays just as well as Santorum and Romney play the black dried up lumps of coal thumping in the chests of voters in NC. None of them believe a thing they are saying.
Oh, and I really appreciate the panel of experts Obama consulted before evolving into the great gay father figure: his two young daughters. Good. Who better to decide the potential lives of thousands of men and women all over the country than pre-teen girls?
Posted by: Griff | May 10, 2012 4:36:33 PM
I applaud the president for taking a public pro-marriage equality stance. I don't believe this stance will cost him many votes in the upcoming election. Anti-marriage equality voters would've voted against Obama anyway.
Posted by: Frederick | May 10, 2012 4:53:56 PM
GRIFF - Better to listen to the wisdom of intelligent children than the likes of you.
Posted by: TJ | May 10, 2012 5:09:44 PM
TJ: Stick the pearl-clutchers remark! I am very active in the political process and have done most of the things you may think are your original ideas. I am a realist. I have lived long enough to see really good progressive democrats like: Humphrey, McGovern, Dukakis, Gore and Kerry go down to defeat because the republicans convinced many Americans that they were too liberal. I voted for all those men and contributed $ to some of them. The fact that marriage equality was defeated in ALL the states where the people were given a chance to vote on it should damn sure worry every democrat and progressive. 32-0!!!!!
Posted by: andrew | May 10, 2012 5:51:55 PM
ANDREW: The cat's out of the bag. Rather than wish it hadn't escaped, and realizing that you can't put it back in, wouldn't seeing that the cat's life is a good one seem a good idea? Or do you just want to call animal control and be done with it?
Posted by: TJ | May 10, 2012 8:02:06 PM
TJ: What the f**k are you talking about? Nevermind, I don't care.
Posted by: andrew | May 10, 2012 9:31:10 PM
ANDREW - Of course you care, or you wouldn't have responded. Let me break it down in language you can understand. It's too late for Obama to take back what he said. Are you just going to p*ss and moan, or are you going to make the best of it and do what you can to help?
PS notice anything in common with your list that differentiates them from Obama? And what makes you think that I think I'm being original, or that being original matters to me?
Posted by: TJ | May 10, 2012 11:29:43 PM
TJ: "In language you can understand". You patronizing f**k! Before visiting this site, I never knew there were so many dislikable lefties.
Posted by: andrew | May 11, 2012 2:01:45 AM
TJ: If you were smart enough to understand the electoral college map you would see that there are about 12 swing states in which the election will be won or lost. In most if not all of those swing states the marriage equality issue is a drag on the democrats. Do you like being patronized?
Posted by: andrew | May 11, 2012 2:07:26 AM
ANDREW: Patronizing F**K? Seriously? You attack me, telling me to stick my comment, and then come back with indignation because you reaped what you sewed?
Dislikable lefty? Because I have asked that people consider what they can do to support, rather than condemn?
You speak for yourself, Andrew. I needn't point your flaws out for you. You do that all too well on your own.
Posted by: TJ | May 11, 2012 2:40:34 AM
TJ: Deal with the question. Do you understand the electoral college map and see that the election will be won or lost in 12 swing states and that the marriage equality issue is a drag on the democrats in those swing states. I will probably do as much or more to reelect Obama than you. My main complaint is that the left pushed Obama to far in wedding him to the marriage equality issue. I think it is a losing issue for the democrats up and down the ballot. Do I hope I am wrong? Damn straight! ( no pun intended)
Posted by: andrew | May 11, 2012 3:08:13 AM