But Obama promised!
I love following politics but stupid people take a lot of the enjoyment out of it.
(Dumb) People are pissed off right about now because they feel President Obama has betrayed them. Specifically? They feel he “promised” to ensure gay rights and is now not only failing to deliver, but he is actively [NY Times] fighting [Washington Post] against gay rights [SFGate]. I recently came across this cute dig at Obama:
What these people fail to realize is that Obama has been very consistent in his stance. He is 100% for equal rights for gay couples, but personally believes “marriage” is between one man and one woman. Further, he has stated that he believes each state should vote on their own and decide whether or not to acknowledge gay marriage. And he said all this well before being elected. Here are some pre-election quotes:
I opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor. I will appeal any proposal to amend the U.S. constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying. I know how important the issue of equal rights is to the LGBT community. I share your sense of urgency. — Mar 27, 2007
And…
I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman but I detest the bashing and vilifying of gays and lesbians. Most gays and lesbians are seeking basic recognition of their rights so they’re not discriminated against in employment or renting a house, so they can see their partner in a hospital. These are rights for everybody, not just some people. — Oct 21, 2004
He has elaborated on the issue of rights and the terminology of marriage:
My view is that we should try to disentangle what has historically been the issue of the word “marriage,” which has religious connotations to some people, from the civil rights that are given to couples, in terms of hospital visitation, in terms of whether or not they can transfer property or Social Security benefits and so forth. … I would’ve supported and would continue to support a civil union that provides all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage. — Aug 9, 2007
Some have said ex-Vice President Dick Cheney is more left on gay marriage than Obama, because of this recent quote:
D. CHENEY: I made the announcement at the outset that I believe equal rights means equal rights for everybody and that people ought to be able to enter into any kind of relationship they want, but that the states ought to retain the ability to regulate and determine what’s marriage and what the legal status of those unions are. It should not be a federal issue.
So how does Obama stack up?
I agree with most Americans, with Democrats and Republicans, with Vice President Cheney, with over 2,000 religious leaders of all different beliefs, that decisions about marriage, as they always have, should be left to the states. — Oct 30, 2007
Feel free to be angry that Obama isn’t doing enough. I personally wish he would do more on this front. But don’t act like he promised something and is now refusing to deliver. And don’t act like he isn’t doing anything at all. Because he is, even if he is taking small steps.
You have to wonder if this is the Republican party working to disenfranchise gay voters in preparation for the 2012 election.
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