Barney Frank: Obama’s Gay Marriage Stance ‘Will Cost Him No Votes’

[ProSense]

Barney Frank: Obama’s Gay Marriage Stance ‘Will Cost Him No Votes’

Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, arguably the most prominent openly gay politician in Washington, called President Obama’s support for gay marriage “the next logical step” for Obama following his refusal to defend DOMA in court. Frank has been a longtime advocate for increased protections and rights for the LGBT community, and announced in early 2012 plans to marry his longtime partner in his home state of Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legal.

Frank’s statement:

Earlier this year, President Obama took a major step towards vindicating the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to marry when he announced his refusal to defend the Defense of Marriage Act’s blatant discrimination against us.

Today he has taken the next logical step to complete the process by expressing his support for our right to marry people of the same sex. I understand why a President facing a national election took some time in making this decision, and I believe that the fact that he first announced his repudiation of DOMA gave him a chance to assess the reaction to that. I know there are those who wish that elected officials would completely ignore public opinion – of course only in those cases where they do not agree with public opinion – but that is not a realistic course in a democracy for those seeking to get the authority from the public to govern.

This does not meant that the President’s decision today was entirely without some political risk, but I believe it will be clear in the days ahead that this will cost him no votes, since those opposed to legal equality for LGBT people were already inclined to oppose him, and that it will make it easier for us to mobilize the people in this country who oppose discrimination to help reelect him.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/barney-frank-obamas-gay-marriage-stance-will-cost

[longship]

1. Frank sees it the way I do.

It could be a real opportunity for the President.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Frank is wrong but could scarcely say anythingelse

I don't think it will cost him the Presidency but it will narrow the margin

[ruggerson]

3. Which is what many of us have been saying for years

N/T

[craigmatic]

4. This makes no sense.

As a married guy I don't understand why anybody would want to get married. Nooo Barney don't do it. They change when the ring goes on.