Join Email List | About Us | AMERICAblog News
More about: DADT | DOMA | ENDA | Immigration | Marriage | 2012 Elections


Washington Post to Obama: Evolve Already



| Reddit | Tumblr | Digg | FARK

The drumbeat continues.

It's not just us
:

Surely there are political considerations lurking in the background. With a presidential campaign that promises to be closer and more contentious than the one that got him elected four years ago, Mr. Obama and his team might be reluctant to embrace a controversial social issue when the economy and jobs are of paramount importance to voters.

At some point, though, doing the right thing must trump politics. If Mr. Obama does come out in favor of gay marriage, his base would surely rally around him. And all supporters of gay rights should be girding themselves for battle with those who would use the president’s position to deny him a second term.

The first question at the news conference was about Republican recalcitrance on tax increases. “Hopefully leaders at a certain point rise to the occasion and do the right thing for the American people,” Mr. Obama said. Later, he would say, “If you know you have to do something, you just do it.” The same words apply to him on marriage equality.
On this issue, doing the right thing is also smart politics. It's a win-win. Given the economy, Obama needs a highly motivated base. Supporting marriage will help Obama with the LGBT community and its allies -- and also those much sought after younger voters.

The trendline is moving in our direction, faster than anyone could have predicted. Obama should let that work for him.

blog comments powered by Disqus