White House still squirming on Obama's previous support for marriage equality

[Bluebear]

Washington Blade: Robert, I want to follow-up on the issue of marriage and the president’s 1996 statement. I’ll read it again: “I favor legalizing same-sex marriages,and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.” Why has the president abandoned this position?

Robert Gibbs: I can simply — I was not with the president in 1996. I was younger and thinner back then — same shoe size.

Note: Hahahahahahahaha! :eyes:

I would simply say that throughout the campaign of 2004 and the campaign of 2008, he’s made his position clear on that.

Blade: Was there a political motivation for the president to drop his support for same-sex marriage as he pursued higher office?

Gibbs: Again, I would refer you to my previous answer.

Blade: I have a follow-up question.

Gibbs: That’s two, actually, but go ahead. We’ll — I’ll entertain the second.

Blade: Will the president re-claim his support for same-sex marriage before the 2012 election?

Gibbs: I’m not in the business of predicting. I think we’ve seen this president be clearly committed to issues of equality and justice. That’s why — I can’t speak to 2012. I can speak to 2011 as a year in which a policy like “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will end.

http://gay.americablog.com/2011/01/gibbs-still-squirming-on-obamas.html

[Catherina]

1. Squirming is a kind word for it. Rec'd n/t

[Fumesucker]

2. Obama is nothing if not quintessentially protean..

Don't like my current positions?

Check back in thirty minutes.

[struggle4progress]

3. Since marriage is currently a matter of state law, it makes sense to pay attention to the states:

Hundreds gather for hearing about gay marriage
by O. Kay Henderson on January 31, 2011
Hundreds of people crowded into the Iowa House tonight for a public hearing about gay marriage. The Iowa House is scheduled to debate a resolution Tuesday which would forbid same-sex marriages, domestic partnerships and civil unions in Iowa if voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment ...
http://www.radioiowa.com/2011/01/31/hundreds-gather-for-hearing-about-gay-marriage/

Hawaii Senate approves same-sex civil unions
Monday, 31 January 2011 10:03
HONOLULU (AP) _ The Hawaii Senate on Friday overwhelmingly approved civil unions for same-sex couples, a major step toward the proposal becoming law ...
http://www.southfloridagaynews.com/news/national-news/3004-hawaii-senate-approves-same-sex-civil-unions.html

Gay rights advocates praise Illinois civil union law
by Ryan Watkins
January 31, 2011
Illinois became the latest state to recognize legal same-sex unions today when Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law the Illinois Religious Freedom and Protection and Civil Union Act, allowing civil unions for the first time in the state. The unions will begin June 1 ...
http://www.thegavoice.com/index.php/news/national-news-menu/1975-gay-rights-advocates-praise-illinois-civil-union-law

[laconicsax]

4. It's all part of his 12-dimensional chess strategy.

You see in '96 he had to pretend to support equality knowing that ten years later he'd have to pretend to oppose it, all so he can pass a Constitutional amendment guaranteeing equal rights with 100% Congressional support and 86% support in the states.

[Wilms]

5. I think we're now at 13 dimensions.

By my count, anyway. :shrug:

[Bluebear]

6. +