(Opinion column) Withers: Obama insists he’s a gay ally

[WillParkinson]

Withers: Obama insists he’s a gay ally
James Withers

Barack Obama's speech in Denver

I’m going to give President Barack Obama points for nerve. When asked by NBC’s Brian Williams if gays and lesbians, who want to get married, have “a friend in the White House,” Obama looked in the camera said yep, emphasized his commitment to civil unions, noted marriage was a state issue that was not the providence of the federal government, and talked a little bit on how he would fight discrimination.

Man he’s good. Sure that answer is going to make most of the folk here apoplectic but he wasn’t talking to us. His words were for the dwindling majority of American citizens freaked out not only by gay marriage but anything to do with the dignity of gays and lesbians. Essentially told them discrimination on sexuality is wrong and like them he would prefer unions.

As a politician, Obama understands the tenor of voters and same sex marriage might be the thing in New England and Iowa (hello Hamer family!) but it is DOA in Texas and Georgia. Texas voters might look at New Hampshire with skepticism for its gay marriage legislation, but citizens of the Lone Star State are not going to blame Obama and are relieved (i.e., more likely to vote for him) when he says the federal government isn’t going to make states jump on the gay marriage express.

http://www.365gay.com/blog/060509-obama-insists-hes-an-ally-to-the-gay-community/

Make sure you read the comments, too.

[noamnety]

1. If it's not an issue for the federal government to decide

then why do we still have DOMA? Is he doing something encourage Congress to repeal that?

[Creideiki]

2. Texas isn't going to vote for Obama

Georgia isn't going to vote for Obama.

Oklahoma isn't going to vote for Obama.

And with 7% of the vote staying home, what could happen in swing states like Colorado?

[xchrom]

3. recommend

[AntiFascist]

4. Obama is quite the political chameleon...

his colors blend with his surroundings, as long as it suits his political objectives.