Obama Chooses Sides In Same-Sex Marriage Debate

thegrio.com

President Barack Obama announced today that he supports same-sex marriage.  Over the last four years, Obama has indicated that his stance on same-sex marriage was evolving from previously being opposed to it.  I think most folks knew that he favored same-sex marriage but he felt the need to wrap his arms around it.  Obviously today, he has made peace with himself on this very issue.  I applaud his action as courageous and true.

Any hope of winning any conservative votes will go out the door with his pronouncement.  However, it was unlikely that he was going to secure even one conservative vote across the country anyway.  No question that his decision to make his announcement was a political one.  Not necessarily though to win the gay vote or even to solidify his Democratic base.  I believe it was clearly an announcement he made to draw just one more distinction between him and Mitt Romney. 

Romney has been anything but animate on his position with regard to same-sex marriage.  Not that he has supported it necessarily but he has wavered somewhat with the language he has used.  Ideology will not win the upcoming election.  This is one of those issues that few Americans will allow to sway their vote one way or another.  The religious and political right always knew in their heart that he was in support of same-sex marriage.  Not a surprise there. 

Criticizing Obama's views on this issue won't win additional votes in the deeply committed Red States.  There is no question the issue will come up in the Presidential Debates.  One of the commentators will raise the question and it should be an interesting dialogue between the two candidates.  I believe this is the choice that Obama's advisors are making as it opens the door to an interesting debate on human rights and discrimination. 

One has to believe that Obama's advisors are confident that the President would win the argument.  The nation is evenly split on the issue of same-sex marriage.  The issue in and of itself should not alter anything about the election but it will help define the differences between the two men. 

President Obama continues to believe that same-sex marriage is a choice to be made by individual states.  The issue was decided in North Carolina by voters just a day ago when they voted to implement a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.  Other states have made similar decisions and others still have votes coming up.  At some point, the very issue will come up before the United States Supreme Court. 

All the networks treated Obama's announcement as "breaking news" but for most folks it was a foregone conclusion where he stood on the issue.  He believes in affording all Americans their civil rights as guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States.  It will always be an issue that separates Americans but not one that should divide us.  For all gay Americans, President Obama's pronouncement was a significant sign of support for them. 

For me, I agree with the President.  I believe in every American's right to live a life they choose and that all rights, privileges and opportunities should be afforded them.  I do not view this as a moral issue at all.  I view it only as a civil liberty.  Today, the gay community gained a significant voice.