Independent columnist Rupert Cornwell: “Thus far, the White House has managed to avoid being drawn into the controversy, maintaining that gay marriage is a matter for individual states to decide. But inevitably the focus is switching to the federal level as well, as activists demand the repeal of the Defence of Marriage Act passed by Congress in 1996 but opposed by Obama, which barred the federal government from recognising gay marriages and removed from one state any obligation to recognise a gay marriage conducted in another. Obama has every reason to tread carefully. Back in 1993 Bill Clinton got off to a terrible start as president when he chose to wade into the gays-in-the-military controversy. His successor but one already has enough on his plate. If he espouses the gay marriage cause he risks losing centrist support and creating exactly the sort of distraction that cost Clinton so dear. The same goes if Obama bows to the pressure of activists and appoints a first openly gay justice to fill the impending vacancy on the Supreme Court. For the moment, though, these issues seem prepared to wait – as well they might. Not only does Obama like to play the long game. If gay marriage is indeed turning into a civil rights struggle, history’s lesson is that such struggles take decades to win.” [Independent]
Kbutterum
But Clinton was 16 years ago. I know we want to forget the last 8 years but they did happen and to see there is support for gay rights in some states says that there is a different dynamic at work. Unfortunately Obama has surround himself with Clinton advisers who may relate to those issues like they did 16 years ago. Keep in mind those kids that were born then will be able to vote in two years and have access to info in ways that didn’t exist back then and there has been more exposure to the cause.
timncguy
history’s lesson is that such struggles take decades to win….
It’s been DECADES already. THis has been going on since 1969.
Stitch
Just a quick question:
I understand that my rights are at stake, blah blah blah, but is anyone else SICK AND TIRED of the stupid back and forth on this site re: Obama not showing the gays enough love??
I GET IT.
Some of you think he’s the devil incarnate, turncoat Judas who sold us down the river once he took office.
Some of you think that there are other forces at work, and that Obama at least doesn’t deserve 100% of the vitriol he’s being targeted with.
Can we PLEASE move on?
Hey Queerty! Write about something else! It’s all half naked men and Obama rants these days.
Oaklander
@Stitch: If you are not interested, why comment? Why read it? Go look at the photos of pretty boys, and us grown up will worry about civil liberties.
Tony
The bitchy Brits need to bugger off! Nuff’ said.
Tallskin
Tony- you need to read the article under discussion.
Can you do that? (I assume you can actually read) Because it is obvious from your hissy-fit comment that you haven’t yet.
The article from the Indy is simply spelling out for British liberal readers the present situation regarding Gay Marriage in the USA, that’s all. I don’t get from the article that the writer is anti-gay marrriage, or anti Obama or anti US, or anti anything.
He is just presenting the situation for us poor benighted foreigners.
Tony
@Tallskin Talk about “hissy fits”, geeze lighten up will ya?!?! To me the article seemed to give Obama excuses for not keeping his promises made to the LGBT Community, and I am just getting a little sick of people offering him excuses each and every time he slaps the LGBT Community in the face.
My comment was short and flippant and meant not to be taken to heart, but alas, any comment or criticism of Obamabigot and his treatment of the LGBT Community will receive bitchy rants from the Obamabots. Yikes.
Tallskin
Tony, so you agree that you were wrong and that the “Brits” were not being bitchy?
Tony
Yes, Tallskin, I just liked the ring to “Bitchy Brits bugger off” it really was no deeper than that. My failed attempt at humor. My bad.
tofer david
if you really want change you have to hold your president accountable not make excuses for him, such that he is too busy and time will come….
the time is now.
its the constant pressure and attention to this issue that will actuallybrig about the change.
ProfessorVP
If Obama had said he doesn’t care one way or the other about same-sex marriage, which is probably how he feels, or even is in favor of it, say hello to President McCain, and after a few years, President Palin. The fact that idiots vote was not lost on Team Obama, and there are certain things he could not say or do. I think he’ll accomplish some things, but first you have to get elected. Am I wrong?
afrolito
@ProfessorVP:
Right.
Stitch
@Oaklander: I can’t help but read it, since Queerty can’t seem to stop finding endless ways to talk about the same thing.
AND, you’re living up to the bitchy queen stereotype perfectly by personally attacking me for my opinions. I’m not arguing against civil liberties, nor am I a child. I’m frustrated with the simplistic dialogue that Queerty commenters seem to be stuck in.
Chitown Kev
@ProfessorVP
Sad but true.
Chitown Kev
@ProfessorVP:
But I do have to add that this is also due to the Democartic Party’s (and Obama’s) fear of engaging and challenging their homobigoted constituencies on the relevan LGBT issues.