Obama Reaffirms Support For Same-Sex Unions

[Hope And Change]

Obama Reaffirms Support For Same-Sex Unions


By Eric Kleefeld - May 15, 2008, 6:18PM

Barack Obama is sticking by his defense of same-sex unions, despite the likelihood that it will flare up as a general election issue because of today's California Supreme Court decision http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/05/californias_top_court_overturn.php">legalizing it. Here's the Obama camp's response to the court decision:

"Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President. He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage."

The Republicans are likely to seize on Obama's respect for the court's decision as proof that electing Obama would bring about gay marriage across the country. Of course, it's also worth noting that Obama stops short of embracing gay marriage, putting him out of step with many on the left.

No statement yet from Hillary Clinton. John McCain's spokesman, however, has http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0508/McCain_and_Obama_weigh_in_on_Cali_marriage_decision.html">weighed in with this:

"John McCain supports the right of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution sanctioning the union between a man and a woman, just as he did in his home state of Arizona. John McCain doesn't believe judges should be making these decisions."

Late Update: Here is the Clinton campaign's http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/reaction-to-gay-marriage-ruling/">statement:

Hillary Clinton believes that gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships should have the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans and believes that civil unions are the best way to achieve this goal. As President, Hillary Clinton will work to ensure that same sex couples have access to these rights and responsibilities at the federal level. She has said and continues to believe that the issue of marriage should be left to the states.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/obama_campaign_reaffirms_suppo.php">Link

[ccharles000]

1. I like that both he and Hillary are more for GLBT rights than John.

However I wish that we will one day have a candidate that supports marriage equality.

[Hope And Change]

2. Kick!

[theHandpuppet]

3. Separate but not equal doesn't equate to gay equality

I'm very sorry to say that there are many folks here who don't know the difference.

[cali]

4. no, it doesn't, but Obama's and Clinton's responses to the CA

SC decision are vastly preferable to McCain's, and it's important not to lose sight of that.