Richard Socarides, one of the most obnoxious people to come out of the Clinton White House, is once again railing against President Obama for his lack of same-sex marriage support while completely ignoring his own involvement in the ultimate passage of the Defense of Marriage Act.
We’ve been down this road before. Richard, who thinks only of his future career prospects, defends NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg — who worked to undo same-sex marriage in the courts. And it’s impossible not to mention Socarides being completely absent on railing against Clinton’s DOMA support when it actually matters while saying the following about Obama:
When he ran for president, Obama took the position that while he was for equal rights for gays, he favored civil unions over marriage. (Earlier, as a candidate for the Illinois state Senate in 1996, he had supported full same-sex marriage rights.) His presidential campaign view seemed fine for most gay voters at the time (despite its apparent political expediency), and he received their overwhelming support in the general election. But that position is now untenable for several reasons.
First, where you stand on the issue of marriage has become a kind of political litmus test for gay voters on whether you support full or partial equality. It is now seen as a proxy for whether you believe gays and lesbians are entitled to full dignity, respect and inclusion in every aspect of American society. And whether, in essence, our struggle for equality is worthy as a civil rights movement. Just saying you are for equal rights will no longer cut it.
Socarides has previously lied about saying he countered the Clinton administration’s support for DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. In fact, he helped write up the administration’s talking points to help counter any criticism of the White House’s backing of those laws. And yet he continues to go after President Obama’s sagging rights record that, although warranted, has zero credibility coming out of this man’s mouth.
The day after the California ruling, White House aide David Axelrod reiterated the president’s current position, telling MSNBC, “The president does oppose same-sex marriage, but he supports equality for gay and lesbian couples in benefits and other issues, and that has been effectuated in federal agencies under his control. He supports civil unions, and that’s been his position throughout. So nothing has changed.”
That was a missed opportunity.
Richard knows only too well.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Sceth
A change of opinion has been expressed. That is all.
Tony
Yes, his past may be tainted. But he is also 100% correct. Obama has made a huge mistake in turning his back on LGBT America, and it will definitely cost him in the long run.
tjr101
Socarides is just a money grubbing hypocrite that was and still is part of the problem that is DOMA. He has zero credibility!
Flex
Thanks Richard, Obama is an extremely disappointing advocate of equal rights. He leaves something to be desired. The only difference between him and the previous asshole president is Obama is less insulting towards us, but that’s not what we need.
He needs to, at least, blast the opponents of legal equality with his words.
Dino S.
Richard, it is all about you. How about shutting your hyprocritical little hole.
Cam
I find it interesting that GAY Inc.s mantra on their job is all about “Changing people’s opinions”.
Funny, we have somebody here who’s opinion seems to have solidly changed, and yet because he is complaining that Obama isn’t doing enough, He is under complete attack.
I also find it interesting that somebody asking for full civil rights for gays is mocked as having sero credibility. Since when is credibility an issue when access to civil rights is being demanded? This is a right/wrong issue. All I notice is that this guy and Obama used to have the same opinion, now he has changed, and his opinion has become more friendly to us and he is being attacked much stronger by GAY INC. than Obama ever has been. To me this just proves that they are much less interested in gays getting rights than they are about protecting their friends in office.