Obama faces criticism on marriage, military

[William769]

‘Stunning’ lack of progress in repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

President Barack Obama is facing criticism from some activists and media outlets for his tepid response to the legalization of same-sex marriage in several states and his failure to publicly advocate more forcefully for a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Richard Socarides, a gay New York attorney who was a White House adviser under President Clinton, said that those sympathetic to LGBT causes are beginning to question when Obama will speak more forcefully on these issues.

“I think that there’s no question that the president’s heart is in the right place,” Socarides said. “But I think that as people him see him tackle some of the other issues — other than the economy and the two wars he’s conducting — people are a little frustrated that he hasn’t been more vigorous on some of the actions he promised to take during the campaign.”

Socarides wrote an op-ed piece published in the Washington Post on May 2 titled “Where’s our ‘Fierce Advocate?’” that criticized Obama for not taking action on LGBT issues.

Frustration among activists has garnered media attention. In recent weeks, CNN aired a segment examining how Obama has approached LGBT issues and the New York Times ran an article examining how Obama is under pressure to take greater action.

http://www.washblade.com/2009/5-15/news/national/14517.cfm

[Dawgs]

1. Duh!

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