Barack Obama yesterday on gay marriage:
“I have been to this point unwilling to sign on to same-sex marriage primarily because of my understandings of the traditional definitions of marriage,” he said. “But I also think you’re right that attitudes evolve, including mine. And I think that it is an issue that I wrestle with and think about because I have a whole host of friends who are in gay partnerships. I have staff members who are in committed, monogamous relationships, who are raising children, who are wonderful parents. And I care about them deeply. And so while I’m not prepared to reverse myself here, sitting in the Roosevelt Room at 3:30 in the afternoon, I think it’s fair to say that it’s something that I think a lot about. That’s probably the best you’ll do out of me today.” – Pres. Obama
The only thing this looks like to me is that Pres. Obama is parading some perceived notion of morality for political reasons in a Tea Party atmosphere, because he’s afraid of what might happen if he’d actually make a comprehensible statement on the side of equal rights for all, including marriage.
Only a duplicitous politician of the first order would offer such drivel, while simultaneously saying he knows gay people in committed, monogamous relationships, raising children no less, who are also “wonderful parents,” but yet all he can reach to do is “think a lot about” them.
This is representative of Obama’s problem in general. The best we can get from this man is a lot of thought followed by more mulling that leads to interminable contemplation on the conclusion that “yes we can,” but just not right now.
So wonderful for him that he can marry who he wants and that he thinks his partnership is superior to mine.
133 words to say nothing.
Actually his words speak volumes and spell homophobe.
HRC needs to push back harder. They risk losing $ to local groups if the people at the table with them are bullhorning this type of nonsense. It’s reckless and can be used, and has been used, against him. Take Fiorina, who believes like the president does, that civil unions are the way forward over marriage.
Wonderful.
I fear HRC is so into the Access mode of thinking that they won’t do much if any real “pushing.” And you are right, that they are losing donors, and often to local organizations.
“‘yes we can,’ but just not right now.” – TM
A classic — Vote for me. Give me money. Campaign for me. You know the other side will do you harm. But no, we can’t actually do anything for you right now. Too close to an election. Too early in my administration. The political timing is wrong. But you just wait, we’re gonna do great things for you someday. Now, go over to the corner and be quiet.
Wow. The old “some of my best friends” line. What a loser.
Blue Lyon
The old line fits very well with the other old “wait until the time is right” thing.
Taylor and everyone,
Thanks for keeping me informed!! Boy,i sure expected better from Obama! I can’t believe he could actually utter words regarding gays that sound like the right wingers!Its exactly how he answered the question about gay marriage,Bush could have said the same….Disturbing..
Bush wouldn’t have said the same thing, I think. And neither would the right-wingers.
Bush would have said something like, “I believe that marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman,” and would have left it at that. That was Obama’s position during the campaign, and it would have been preferable to this mealy-mouthed half-pandering hemming and hawing that we’re getting from Obama. Nobody is going to be assuaged by this kind of talk. Better to look them in the eye and defend your position.
This is not to say, however, that the Republicans would be better on gay issues than Obama would be.
By the way, it seems that as early as 1996 (!) Mr. Obama had voiced his support for same-sex marriage. So, if his views are evolving, they are evolving AWAY from acceptance of same-sex marriage.
I don’t understant why it is necessary to impose one’s views on others with respect to making laws. Personally, I’m not gay, I’ll never have an abortion and I don’t use drugs. However, I don’t see the need to restrict others’ ability to do any of the above as long as they are not harming any one else. Why does everyone have to be such a busybody and worry about what his/her neighbor is doing? Obviously, freedom is a word that has vastly different meanings to other people.
Starting with the Rhode Island governor race, I have been become even more angry (as if that were possible!!) at the Democratic stupids (the so called leadership…which includes Nancy Pelosi by the way)who foisted this loser on an ascendant party… but not just the leaders, but the moronic elites and creatives who swooned like love struck teenagers at this manufactured image. Intellectual dishonesty was rampant among so called liberals and progressives. I have no sympathy for any of them. The Democrats need to be destroyed to begin to rebuild. Obama’s disloyalty to the Democratic Party is remarkable…why no hew and cry? What is wrong with the Democrats who pushed this boring, weak and uninspiring state senator on the country instead of the experienced Hillary who had
The Donna Brazile’s and Tim Kaine’s and Tom Dashle’s, and all the other losers of a defeatist party must be purged…they who brought us to this point…They must pay…And if we the people don’t hold them accountable, we will not be able to rebuild. These are not Democrats…The real Democrats were purged…And this blog knows exactly what transpired and how it was done. The people who did this must be held accountable. Including the stooge himself….Obama….It’s truly unbelievable. Next time anyone criticizes the Clintons for anything, they must be tarred and feathered….as the morons that they are…and for the debacle that they have created for the rationalists.
This isn’t about the Tea Party. This is about the Democrats…who tried their best to lose every opportunity to lead and govern….I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those leaders were on someone’s payroll other than Democrats…Obama has betrayed everyone. He inspires disgust. Keep in mind…the media was on Obama’s side…People get it….they get who Obama is….and who the weak Democrats are…Maybe the Democratic leadership was paid to lose….look at Dashle and his wife….But we must rid ourselves of these weak leaders…of these compromisers who stand for nothing and therefore do nothing.
or start another party.
I recognize that this is a rant….but as Taylor demonstrates so ably…what is happening is truly unbelievable…mind boggling even….that Obama is truly as small as he appears. He is an embarrassment at this point…and he will be mauled by the Republicans while Democrats cave…all to our detriment. No one votes for weakness like that…Has anyone noticed that we haven’t heard from Anthony Weiner and other Democratic leaders who have some spine? Has anyone noticed that other than the fabulous Ed Rendell, governor of Penn. (who supported Hillary by the way) and Bill Clinton, there are no credible Democratic leaders on television with any coherent message? In my state, Jerry Brown is ahead because he is a fighter…It isn’t an accident.
Obama is the worst Democratic President, certainly in my lifetime but probably in the history of the Party. Someone has to primary him!Neither the party nor the country can not take six more years of his incompetence and lack of passion for this country and it’s people.
………
This is OT but~
I just finished watching 90 minutes of Diane Ravitch on Race to the Top (Obama’s educational program) that lynnette has posted over in the diaries.He is trying to dismantle public education and replace it with private charters. How long can a Democracy last without robust PUBLIC education?
The right and the left are coming together on this for different reasons. Anybody who thinks I am over reacting can just check out the “success” Chicago Schools has experienced after seven years of Arnie Duncun.
I really hope Lady Lake that the democrats and republicans come together for education reform. Our educational system in this country can’t survive the way its going. The president is only for himself and not the people. He is caring more about 2012 than 2010. The gay community always gets stabbed in the back. I am so sick of it. There are major problems Gay Americans are dealing with including kids commiting suicide because of bullying. The president with his words are not helping matters. Ok, your against gay marriage, you either believe in equal rights or you don’t !!
He should be ashamed. What a bunch of drivel. The sad thing is, he probably thought that he was throwing out some crumbs to the gay community with that bullshit. But because we’re not dumb as rocks, it’s backfiring big team.
I meant “big time.”