Does Barack Obama really oppose gay marriage

[The Mikado]

Option 3 for me.  I have to question why so many Democrats seem to think that Obama's a secret supporter of what they support but can't say it in public, rather than taking the man at his word that he doesn't agree with you.  I hear Democrats say "Obama really wants to end Afghanistan immediately, but can't," "Obama's not really a Christian, but adapted it to get elected," and "Obama doesn't really oppose gay marriage, but opposes it for political reasons."  I, frankly, am inclined to take the man at his word that he doesn't hold positions, and I've always been very suspicious at people that project their own beliefs on a candidate they support and go, "there's no way he could possibly feel otherwise, he just fakes it."  What makes you think that Obama doesn't oppose gay marriage, or isn't a devout Christian, as he claims?

[anvi]

No idea what he really believes about gay marriage.  But I've got some good guesses about what he and those around him think of the electoral map.  If he says nothing overt about gay marriage, he won't lose New York.  If his says something overt about it, it could become a wedge in other states he wants to hold onto. 

[Verily]

There's that old political questionnaire from 1996 where he said he did support gay marriage. Just as importantly, though, basically every Democratic politician who isn't very religious (not Obama) or obviously and publicly homophobic (not Obama) supports gay marriage in private, outside of politics.

[Lief 🗽]

Put 100 people who are like Barack Obama but not politicians in a room, and they would basically all support gay marriage. Liberal college professors don't not support gay marriage.

[Free Palestine]

He most likely doesn't.  He's just saying that to appeal to the moderate heros.  Nobody could ever be elected president openly supporting gay marriage.

[King]

Of course not.  He's faux moderate like most first term Presidents.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

His official position makes no sense whatsoever. It is held by basically no one besides politicians. He is basically saying he opposes gay marriage but will do absolutely nothing to oppose it in reality(remember he wants to repeal DOMA and spoke out against Prop 8.) He had kind words about the New York vote. Does anyone believe that if he was a New York State Senator he would've voted against it?

[courts]

Wow, this is the first time I can remember you saying anything negative about him.

[tpfkaw]

Wow, this is the first time I can remember you saying anything negative about him.

He must be turning into a crypto-Republican hypocrite.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Wow, this is the first time I can remember you saying anything negative about him.

It's not negative, because him opposing gay marriage sincerely would be far worse.

[bgwah]

No. And if he wanted to make me enthusiastically support him again in 2012, not being a pansy and just openly supporting it would be a pretty easy way for him to do so.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Nope, he'll have a "transformation" once he's out of office just like Clinton did.

[courts]

He most likely doesn't.  He's just saying that to appeal to the moderate heros.  Nobody could ever be elected president openly supporting gay marriage.

Uh, it's been polling lately at about 51-53% approving depending on what you look at. Not everything will be like 2004 forever!

[tpfkaw]

Barack Obama's views are very simple in their origin.

They can be determined by following two rules:

1. Which view is more likely to get him elected?

If that is ambiguous:

2. Which view is more excessive hyperbole?

[Paul Kemp]

Barack Obama's views are very simple in their origin.

They can be determined by following two rules:

1. Which view is more likely to get him elected?

If that is ambiguous:

2. Which view is more excessive hyperbole?

So you're familiar with politics then?

[King]

No. And if he wanted to make me enthusiastically support him again in 2012, not being a pansy and just openly supporting it would be a pretty easy way for him to do so.

You know, if someone like the President showed real leadership on this issue, it might actually have a boost in the polls and drive home swing voters on these propositions.

Too bad.

[Keystone Phil]

Not everything will be like 2004 forever!

Thanks, jamespol.

[Marokai Backbeat]

I can't believe that he actually opposes it. He's an incredibly smart guy and he knows better. He's just far more cautious than necessary.

[exopolitician]

Probably not, but the reason he is being so mysterious about it is the fact he has more on his plate to deal with than this. Saying his position is "evolving" is just a nicer way of telling everyone to shut up about it so he can get on with more important things currently.

[HAnnA MArin County]

He is really for it. When he says he "struggles" with it, that's code for, "I really support it, but don't have the cajones to say it right now because if I do, the Republicans will use it against me in 2012." He's probably going to come out for it after he gets reelected in 2012.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

No, but he doesn't have the balls to stand up for it.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Option 3 for me.  I have to question why so many Democrats seem to think that Obama's a secret supporter of what they support but can't say it in public, rather than taking the man at his word that he doesn't agree with you.  I hear Democrats say "Obama really wants to end Afghanistan immediately, but can't," "Obama's not really a Christian, but adapted it to get elected," and "Obama doesn't really oppose gay marriage, but opposes it for political reasons."  I, frankly, am inclined to take the man at his word that he doesn't hold positions, and I've always been very suspicious at people that project their own beliefs on a candidate they support and go, "there's no way he could possibly feel otherwise, he just fakes it."  What makes you think that Obama doesn't oppose gay marriage, or isn't a devout Christian, as he claims?

It is certainly remarkable to see so many relatively intelligent people fervently hope that the leader of their political party is a craven liar.

[dead0man]

It is certainly remarkable to see so many relatively intelligent people fervently hope that the leader of their political party is a craven liar.

That's pretty much what I was going to post.

[Verily]

Option 3 for me.  I have to question why so many Democrats seem to think that Obama's a secret supporter of what they support but can't say it in public, rather than taking the man at his word that he doesn't agree with you.  I hear Democrats say "Obama really wants to end Afghanistan immediately, but can't," "Obama's not really a Christian, but adapted it to get elected," and "Obama doesn't really oppose gay marriage, but opposes it for political reasons."  I, frankly, am inclined to take the man at his word that he doesn't hold positions, and I've always been very suspicious at people that project their own beliefs on a candidate they support and go, "there's no way he could possibly feel otherwise, he just fakes it."  What makes you think that Obama doesn't oppose gay marriage, or isn't a devout Christian, as he claims?

It is certainly remarkable to see so many relatively intelligent people fervently hope that the leader of their political party is a craven liar.

I don't think you need fervent hope. We are all aware that all politicians are craven liars, idiots or fringe maniacs. The first is in most cases preferable to the others.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

The first minority president doesn't believe that inequality is okay, he's only pretending to believe it is just to advance his own political career and win that 450th electoral vote.

For someone who supposedly has such terrific political instincts, his political instincts sure suck.