He is the first president to take such a position. Take a NEWS POLL.
View full sizePresident Barack Obama faced mounting pressure to express support for gay marriage after a setback for gay-rights advocates in North Carolina.On the fence no longer, President Barack Obama declared his unequivocal support for gay marriage today, a historic announcement that gave the polarizing social issue a more prominent role in the 2012 race for the White House.
The announcement was the first by a sitting president, and Republican challenger Mitt Romney swiftly disagreed with it. “I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman,” he said while campaigning in Oklahoma.
Gay rights advocates cheered Obama’s declaration, which they had long urged him to make.
Beyond the words, one man who married his gay partner in Washington, D.C., was stirred to send a $25 contribution to the president’s campaign. “Making a contribution is the best way to say thank you,” said Stuart Kopperman.
Obama revealed his decision after a series of events that made clear the political ground was shifting. He once opposed gay marriage but more recently had said his views were “evolving.”
In an interview with ABC, Obama said “it wouldn’t dawn” on his daughters, Sasha and Malia, that some of their friends’ parents would be treated differently than others. He said he also thought of aides “who are in incredibly committed monogamous same-sex relationships who are raising kids together.”
Obama added that he thought about “those soldiers or airmen or Marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf, and yet feel constrained even though now that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone because they’re not able to commit themselves in a marriage.”
The president said he was taking a personal position, and aides said he continues to believe that marriage is an issue best decided by states.
Vice President Joe Biden said Sunday during an interview that he is completely comfortable with gays marrying.
On Tuesday, voters in North Carolina approved an amendment to the state constitution affirming that marriage may only be a union of a man and a woman.
The announcement was the first by a sitting president, and Republican challenger Mitt Romney swiftly disagreed with it. “I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman,” he said while campaigning in Oklahoma.
Gay rights advocates cheered Obama’s declaration, which they had long urged him to make.
Beyond the words, one man who married his gay partner in Washington, D.C., was stirred to send a $25 contribution to the president’s campaign. “Making a contribution is the best way to say thank you,” said Stuart Kopperman.
Obama revealed his decision after a series of events that made clear the political ground was shifting. He once opposed gay marriage but more recently had said his views were “evolving.”
In an interview with ABC, Obama said “it wouldn’t dawn” on his daughters, Sasha and Malia, that some of their friends’ parents would be treated differently than others. He said he also thought of aides “who are in incredibly committed monogamous same-sex relationships who are raising kids together.”
Obama added that he thought about “those soldiers or airmen or Marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf, and yet feel constrained even though now that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone because they’re not able to commit themselves in a marriage.”
The president said he was taking a personal position, and aides said he continues to believe that marriage is an issue best decided by states.
“I have hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought that civil unions would be sufficient,” Obama said.
Vice President Joe Biden said Sunday during an interview that he is completely comfortable with gays marrying.
On Tuesday, voters in North Carolina approved an amendment to the state constitution affirming that marriage may only be a union of a man and a woman.