Obama Addresses New York Marriage Equality Bill At LGBT Fundraiser

[Tx4obama]

Run time: 01:28 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNzpZEq8YVM   Posted on YouTube: June 23, 2011 By YouTube Member: thinkprogress5 Views on YouTube: 36   Posted on DU: June 23, 2011 By DU Member: Tx4obama Views on DU: 1128

 
By Igor Volsky on Jun 23, 2011 at 7:36 pm

Obama Addresses New York Marriage Equality Bill At LGBT Fundraiser: Issue Best Left To States

President Obama spoke at an LGBT fundraiser this evening in New York City, just as the New York Senate prepares to take up marriage equality legislation. Obama addressed the measure directly, reiterating his position that marriage is best left to the states:

OBAMA: Part of the reason that DOMA doesn’t make sense is that traditionally marriage has been decided by the states and right now, I understand there is a little debate going on here in New York about whether to join five other states and DC in allowing civil marriage for gay couples. And I want to say that under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, with the support of Democrats and Republicans, New York is doing exactly what democracies are supposed to to do. There is a debate, there is a deliberation about what it means here in New York to treat people fairly in the eyes of the law and that is — look, that’s the power of our democratic system.

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/06/23/252987/obama-addresses-new-york-marriage-equality-bill-at-lgbt-fundraiser-issue-best-left-to-states/


Edited to add: Here's a link to a video with the FULL SPEECH (23 minutes)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/43517774#43517774

[tekisui]

1. It isn't just the states, Obama. The federal government has a

role, too. Time to get over yourself, get out of your own way and unambiguously support full marriage equality. Quit hiding behind the states.

[dennis4868]

3. are you saying he cannot be against it

like many other progressives? He has to share your opinion on everything? Why?

[tekisui]

4. Not everything. But, this one is especially offensive.

Only bigots are against marriage equality. This is the civil rights issue of our time.

[dennis4868]

6. Not sure why this is a big deal...

Even if Obama says he is for gay marriage that will not overtuen DOMA....repubs (and many dems) will NEVER allow for DOMA to be overturned (unless big oil tells them too...hahaha).

[liberation]

7. Yeah, lord forbid Obama had to stand for anything

.

[EFerrari]

8. Who would have ever thought that our first black president

would be running around preaching states rights.

It's absurd.

[Tx4obama]

2. I added a link to the FULL speech up in the OP. n/t

[customerserviceguy]

5. I'm not terribly surprised he did this

After all, the fate of equal marriage in NY is solely in the hands of a Republicon caucus in the NY Senate. I mean, how much influence is President Obama really going to have with that group?

On the other hand, if he keeps his present position, at least through this current battle, then it's not about "opposing Obama" for the Repigs, it's about opposing your own constituents who think it's about time that marriage equality shall come to pass in NY. Yes, sounds a bit too much like three-dimensional chess that the President is often accused of playing, but in this case, it doesn't throw gasoline on a fire.

I dearly hope that at least one or two Rethugs think about the equality that their own constituents clearly want, and if they feel uncomfortable pressure that they need to resist, it's from the Catholic church, which has lost any moral standing on this issue.