Obama’s Support of Gay Marriage: Which Re-election Fate Did He Just Seal?

May 9th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

Source:Washingtonpost.com

Just a short while ago news broke that Barack Obama just made another heroic first as president: He became the first seated Commander-in-Chief of the country to openly support gay marriage. The announcement came via an interview President Obama did with ABC’s Robin Roberts in which he made a clear declaration that he believes homosexual Americans should have the same right to marry as heterosexuals. He stated:

“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”

The president’s “I do” to gay marriage rattled through the Internet with several celebrities—both gay and straight—sending out resounding support and thanks to the president for taking such a bold stance. But regardless of President Obama’s seemingly altruistic goal of wanting to support same-sex couples and families, making the announcement was certainly a gamble, and a decision that definitely wasn’t made without thoroughly assessing the risk-benefit ratio.

The thing is gay marriage is nearly as polar an issue as capital punishment or abortion. You’re either starkly for it or against it and the ramifications can be great. The homosexual population has grown as a powerful entity in society and it makes sense that the president would want to openly align his candidacy with the belief gay couples should be allowed to marry, because although his position does nothing to affect state legislature regarding marriage laws, it does potentially boost his vote with the gay population. On the other hand, it could wreck his stance with those who do not have such liberal views on gay marriage. Already there have been comments on news and blog boards from past supporters of Obama saying he has now lost their vote. They hardly feel his declaration is bold, but rather a cowardly buckling to pressure from the homosexual community.

As far as conservatives go, there likely wasn’t much Obama could do to change their minds to vote for him anyway, and though some believe this issue will now be one of the main points of contention in the coming race, it wouldn’t be wise for Republicans to openly bash the president’s support of gay marriage knowing how many votes ride on that. Besides, the president believes this is no longer a bi-partisan issue but rather a generational one. He told Robin:

 “You know when I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that I have terrible policies on the economy, on foreign policy, but are very clear that when it comes to same sex equality or, you know, believe in equality. They are much more comfortable with it. You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently. It doesn’t make sense to them and frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective.”

President Obama has clearly laid his perspective out on the line and it will be a few months before we see the full ramifications of that choice. Beyond the gay-straight divide he’s crossed, many are curious as to how this open acceptance of same-sex couples will affect the president’s relationship with the black and Latino communities which across the board are thought to not be as on-board with gay marriage. Many have felt the president has the black vote in his back pocket but this could potentially change the game.

Do you think Obama just sealed his fate as the president for the next four years by supporting gay marriage or will he lose support for standing for this controversial right?

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Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LKQE4UQRBBVNOIRAL4EB2SPCWI Jen

    For those that will abstain from voting because of this singular issue…you’re fine with that?  The potential of being politically wiped off the face of the earth means nothing to you?  I just wonder if any of you thought that the very people who fought for your right to vote, some of them of them were gay?  Or are you stuck with the fact that it was just Rosa Parks and MLK, Jr. who did the fighting?  Is it possible that you are more concerned about what goes on in the privacy of their homes than to vote?  There is a man who is willing to do absolutely nothing for the lower to middle classes of people.  If you are not wealthy then he will pass you by.  I would rather vote for someone willing to at least fight than not.
    Amazing everyone runs for the bible and judge when the word “gay” is mentioned.  Well what ever happened to Love Thy Neighbor?  It’s in there!  Same rules should apply. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LKQE4UQRBBVNOIRAL4EB2SPCWI Jen

    For those that will abstain from voting because of this singular issue…you’re fine with that?  The potential of being politically wiped off the face of the earth means nothing to you?  I just wonder if any of you thought that the very people who fought for your right to vote, some of them of them were gay?  Or are you stuck with the fact that it was just Rosa Parks and MLK, Jr. who did the fighting?  Is it possible that you are more concerned about what goes on in the privacy of their homes than to vote?  There is a man who is willing to do absolutely nothing for the lower to middle classes of people.  If you are not wealthy then he will pass you by.  I would rather vote for someone willing to at least fight than not.
    Amazing everyone runs for the bible and judge when the word “gay” is mentioned.  Well what ever happened to Love Thy Neighbor?  It’s in there!  Same rules should apply. 

  • ElvisWasAHero2Most

    It most certainly won’t be detrimental to his campaign, quite the contrary in fact.  If anything, this announcement from Obama (which, let’s be real, we knew all along) was bound to happen.  He has now energized the youth, female, and gay demographic with one stone since all of those groups strongly support marriage equality.  The effect this statement will have on the Blacks and Hispanic demographics remains to be seen.  

    Black people, come on now, no matter how Christian you are (or at least claim to be, because a lot of y’all ain’t doing Christ-like actions) are you really going to not vote for Obama now?  Though there is a strong possibility many will not vote at all, which is basically a vote for Romney.  We need to acknowledge that the second term is nearly as important as the first term, for if the president loses we won’t see another Black person in the office for a while.  The attitude will be, “Black president?  Eh, already tried that and it failed.”  Hopefully we realize this and continue to support the president despite our ancient, excuse me I mean religious, beliefs.  

    Hispanics are a more interesting demographic to watch.  Like Blacks, Hispanics are very religious but also aware of the consequences of Republican policy on issues that matter to them such as immigration.  Romney, if he wants to lock this demographic down, will need Rubio on the ticket as VP.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Obama counter with some kind of immigration reform (sort of like the reform he promised in 08 that hadn’t happened… ouch) in the event Rubio comes together with Romney.  

    Like my man Alonzo Harris said, “This shit’s chess, it ain’t checkers!”

  • F3ral Anarchy

    He pretty much just slammed the door in the faces of his biggest supporters.  White, christian middle class america.  After all they were the ones who put him in office. ((sorry blacks and latinos there just arent enough of us to actually sway voting for the presidency but it was good to see alot more of us turn out.)))  Until the federal govt completely seperates themselves from the church this will always be an issue.  Marriage is a religious term and should be left for churches to decide if they want to marry gay couples.  The govts job however is to protect a humans civil rights. Civil union is what that piece of paper says when you pick it up from the courthouse not “certificate of marriage”

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LKQE4UQRBBVNOIRAL4EB2SPCWI Jen

      That door was slammed the minute he was sworn in as the POTUS!  The christian middle class still has a problem with him, he’s supposed to be Muslim, not a citizen, all of the blatant disrespect remember? Back him into a corner and he comes out swinging! It may not be to the liking of many but good for him! He’s got my vote.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LKQE4UQRBBVNOIRAL4EB2SPCWI Jen

      That door was slammed the minute he was sworn in as the POTUS!  The christian middle class still has a problem with him, he’s supposed to be Muslim, not a citizen, all of the blatant disrespect remember? Back him into a corner and he comes out swinging! It may not be to the liking of many but good for him! He’s got my vote.

  • FromUR2UB

    I will support this president despite my personal feelings about the topic.  I understand why he had to do it, and there are too many other things at stake for this to be a deal breaker.

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  • Kashbmaryd

    Glad to see the POTUS use his cajones for once. Screw all these people saying they won’t vote for him because of it. It took balls to get slavery overturned, it took balls to get women’s suffrage, and it’s going to take balls to get marriage equality in America. The president can expect another $5 dollar endorsement from me and I’m a straight, married Christian.

  • Anonymous

    Biblically, it’s wrong. Politically, you try to appeal to everybody. This is where separation of church and state come into picture.  America was built on morals, values and we are clearly drifting away from that. The reality is, homosexuals will still do whatever they want but publicly coming out as a president to support a controversial topic is careless. As a black woman, I’m not obligated to support just because we are discriminated against, it’s two different things and only idiots equate those two. I still have my personal strong beliefs and nothing will change that.  There’s a reason, a Democratic president never publicly announced their full support for gay marriage as a president because they are very much aware that majority of Americans, no matter how liberal they are believe in man and woman marriage. Bad move, Mr  President. And, people need to shut their mouths condemning Christians, it’s called freedom of speech and opinion.  This and his Obamacare is making me more concerned for this country. I hope some of his policies don’t go through. Romney is a joker, so hes definitely not getting my vote.

    • ElvisWasAHero2Most

      Well yes, this is America and as you said we separate the church from state.  In a way I’m a tad disappointed with Obama’s statement, for he’s really only expressing his opinion and not suggesting anything new.  We already knew he stopped defend the Defense of Marriage Act and we already are aware the 10th amendment to the Constitution allows states to decide their own laws that are not federally applicable.  He says states will continue to decide what they want to do with regards to the issue, and 30 states already have banned gay marriage.

      But may I ask you personally, is the issue of gay marriage really that offensive to you?  It’s really just presenting a group of people who are de facto married to enjoy the tax benefits that other married citizens have.  Homosexuals go to war for this country, pay taxes, etc. so why can’t they enjoy the benefits the rest of us have?  And to correct you, the question of support for gay marriage is about even nationwide.  
      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/gay-marriage-polls-trend_n_1504577.html 

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