The Obama admin doesn't know how to respond to the marriage equality dominoes

[ccharles000]

You might recall that the Obama admin gave a tone deaf, clumsy response after the Iowa ruling, releasing a statement that forgot to include the phrase equal rights.
"The President respects the decision of the Iowa Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage. Although President Obama supports civil unions rather than same-sex marriage, he believes that committed gay and lesbian couples should receive protection under the law."
After that blew up in the blogosphere, the WH issued a correction/clarification/CYA that stated "gay and lesbian couples should receive equal rights under the law."
So, after feeling burned by that public screw up, it was no wonder that the adminstration was only able to squeak out a "no comment" after Vermont.

Well today, after equality became official in Maine, the subject came up at the White House press briefing. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked to give the official reaction to yet another state making it legal for gay and lesbian couples to get hitched, equal under state law. I'm sure he wanted to crawl out of the briefing room to avoid answering the question. This is how it went -- ABC's Jake Tapper took the plunge. (Advocate):

Jake Tapper: Does the President or the White House have a reaction to the Governor of Maine signing a same-sex marriage bill?
Robert Gibbs: No, I think the President's position on same-sex marriages has been talked about and discussed.

Tapper: He opposes same-sex marriage.

Gibbs: He supports civil unions.

Tapper: Does that mean that he's going to say or do anything against what the citizens of Maine --

Gibbs: Not that I'm aware of. I think the President believes this is an issue that's best addressed by the states.

Jake Tapper pushed all the right buttons with that line of questioning. If the President only supports civil unions, then does he disagree with what occurred in Maine? He came out against Prop 8, so we do know he opposes anti-equality measures, but that says nothing about whether he supports or opposes states that recognize that separate isn't equal.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/10840/obama-admin-doesnt-know-how-to-respond-to-the-marriage-equality-dominoes

[islandgirl808]

1. i wonder if he opposes it

due to his personal beliefs or due to politics

:shrug:

[Clio the Leo]

2. Since when did it matter what the President thought of a state's decision...

..... as long as that decision was not in violation of the Constitution or other Federal law? ;)

[Zenlitened]

5. It would mean a great deal, to a great many people...

... if President Obama publicly praised this civil rights milestone. It really would.

[Thrill]

3. Sure he knows how to respond to it. "Let the states handle it"

Keep it up

[dflprincess]

4. Same sex couples who live in states that recognize their marriages

are not allowed to file as married on their Federal tax returns (I just Googled that, someone let me know if that's wrong). The refusal of the Federal government to recognize state sanctioned marriages sounds like a Federal issue and one the President needs to be pinned down on.

[ruggerson]

6. It's called not having political courage

an affliction way too common in Washington

[msongs]

7. don't ask don't tell, faith based councils, opposes gay marriage - is there a trend here? nt