ABC News takes a closer look at Obama's opposition to same-sex marriage, tying it to battleground states:
"The president has staked out a cynical political position aimed at not rocking the boat," said Richard Socarides, who advised President Bill Clinton on gay rights issues. "This states' rights argument is a separate but equal argument. Would the president have thought it right to let the states decide on the issue of interracial marriage, or on whether or not women should be allowed to vote?"
Obama's reluctance to embrace gay marriage, putting him among a minority of Americans in national polls, appears part of a broader effort to avoid alienating voters in battleground states, like Ohio and Nevada, where majorities have traditionally shown less support for the unions than voters overall.
…Bottom line, some gay rights advocates speculate, Obama likely believes he has more to lose than gain in coming out in favor of same-sex marriage.
And the NYT reports on the LGBT Pride reception happening in the White House later today, attended by dozens of guests excited by the marriage victory in New York:
But for their host, who does not endorse same-sex marriage, it could be somewhat awkward.
“I think they are trying to share the joy, which is genuine on their part, without changing his position,” Hilary Rosen, a prominent Democratic strategist, said of the White House. “I don't think he can have it both ways here.”
Obama's position on states' rights is also scrutinized:
“That was the argument they made about segregation,” Ms. Rosen, who has long been supportive of Mr. Obama, said Tuesday. “I don't think people really believe that he believes that. It flies in the face of everything he has stood for.”
Some, who remain supportive of Obama, are still mad as hell:
…Mr. Obama's comments infuriated some prominent advocates and potential donors. They include Chad Griffin, who sits on the finance committee for Mr. Obama's re-election campaign and recently co-hosted a fund-raiser featuring Michelle Obama that raised more than $1 million, and Paul Yandura, a Democratic strategist who advises gay philanthropists, including some Obama donors.
“That language is really a dog whistle for the right,” Mr. Yandura said.