White House Defends Obama's Confusing Stance On Gay Marriage

WASHINGTON -- White House Press Secretary Jay Carney fended off more questions Monday about President Barack Obama's seemingly contradictory stance on gay marriage, this time telling reporters it is "not very useful" to keep asking Carney for clarification on the matter.

Obama has long faced challenges on the issue, but he was under increased scrutiny in recent weeks in the lead-up to New York passing its gay marriage law on June 24. The president has said his position is "evolving," but that he currently believes gay marriage is a state issue. At the same time, he told activists in New York City the night before the vote that "gay couples deserve the same legal rights as every other couple in this country."

Carney fumbled his way through questions about how Obama squares his belief that gay marriage is a state issue while also believing that gay couples are entitled to the same rights as other couples. He dodged a question about whether the president believed it was the "power of our democratic system” at work when California voters rejected gay marriage last year -- the words Obama used last week as New York inched closer to passing gay marriage.

"Without commenting on a particular other state, I think he was making that clear with regard to the action in New York," Carney said in his daily press briefing. "But I'm not going to put words in his mouth applying to another state. I mean, you can analyze that, but -- because I haven't heard him say that."

"But obviously," Carney added, "what he said in New York was about his belief -- our belief -- that this is a matter that states should decide.”

Pressed further the issue, the White House spokesman demurred.

"Well, look, I'm not going to -- the president has made his position clear. It's not very useful for us to have this debate," he said, later citing Obama's "exemplary" record on gay and lesbian rights.

"He continues to fight on behalf of that community for the rights -- for equal rights," he said, before abruptly ending his exchange with a reporter. "And his position on New York, he -- himself, rather than his press secretary -- spoke at length about just a few nights ago. So I'll leave it at that."

Obama's mixed messages on the issue are also increasingly putting him at odds with Democratic lawmakers urging a repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) last week joined with Democracy for America, Howard Dean's grassroots group, in a campaign aimed at repealing DOMA. She has pitched the effort several times on Twitter since her home state passed gay marriage last week.

"Now that we've won #marriageequality in #NY, pls join me & @DFAAction in our effort to repeal #DOMA: bit.ly/kgBvQQ," Gillibrand tweeted Monday.

The White House can expect more questions on the issue this week: Obama is hosting a reception on Wednesday to observe Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

Comments

[American in Taipei]

10:55 PM on 07/07/2011

It's simple. If he wants people to stop "wasting time" asking for clarity, then make a clear and cogent explanation. OF COURSE reporters and the media are going to keep asking about a flip-flopping position, on any issue. Don't blame them for trying to get a straight answer.

[talkstocoyotes]

09:42 AM on 06/30/2011

Our first nonwhite POTUS supports the white supremicist ideal of "states rights" and this is evolution? Devolution is more like it, with a hefty dose of mendacity thrown in. Obama stated in a 1996 interview that he supported marriage equality and recently tried to claim that it was faked (now how did that fly under the White House radar?), then backtracked again.

It's *always* useful to question public figures who are, or who represent, people with a great deal of power. Our government is accountable to us so "nothing to see here folks" is nonsense that is dangerous to take seriously.

[Bill J4321]

10:30 PM on 06/29/2011

It may not be 'very useful,' but it sure is FUN!

[Ioan Lightoller]

05:07 AM on 06/30/2011

Amen to that!

[lonbwoy]

05:08 PM on 06/29/2011

The funny thing is that lib.s luv to claim repubs are bigot.s and what not, but the same religious reason why conservative.s are against gay marriage is the same reason blacks and latinos are against it!!.

[reasonseason]

04:24 PM on 07/03/2011

Label much?

If your statement is to be taken at face value, all of the following statements must be true:

1) "Conservatives" can be neither Black or Latino.
2) All conservatives, Blacks, and Latinos believe in some religion that shares at least one belief in common
3) That belief does not square with gay marriage.

One is false. Two is false. Three is false. Care to amend your statement?

[Ronnie Avatar Dixon]

01:41 PM on 06/29/2011

If President Obama was a true progressive, he would not allow for his religious beliefs to get in the way of ensuring legal equality for all Americans. The only justification to not approve of gay marriage that is not bigoted is a religious justification. Even this, however, has some trace of bigotry (using religious doctrine to justify the hindering of rights for a certain group, whereby having an aversion to that group). Why can't he just come out and say it without giving mixed answers: "God says that being gay is bad, therefore, gays shouldn't get married." Instead, Obama is hiding behind phrases such as "my opinion is evolving" and "states should decide". The former is obviously a way to buy time before coming up with another excuse, and the latter tries playing to the conservative or libertarian crowd. Is he doing this to continue to appeal to moderates alongside his religious views?

[Bill J4321]

10:40 PM on 06/29/2011

Most excellent post!

The other day, I saw a clip of Obama speaking to "Pastor' Rick Warren about same-sex marriage back in 2008 while on the campaign.

And Obama stated the 'one man, one woman' mantra like a robot to thunderous applause from the 'congregation.' Whatev.

But then he said that he didn't approve of it because, and I quote, 'God's in the mix.'

And then the steam came out of my ears and my blood started to boil a bit that he would have the gall to say something like that. There are plenty of LGBT people who believe in God and attend church and live lives of faith. Yet he publicly excluded LGBT people from God. And he blurred the line between democracy and theocracy when he said that.

I myself am not a believer or non-believer, but one does not have to be either to recognize this huge disrespect toward fellow man, fellow GAY man, that is, by Obama. He might as well have told gay people that THEIR religious beliefs count for nothing. Well, actually, I guess he did, didn't he?

[talkstocoyotes]

09:44 AM on 06/30/2011

He also said in an interview with the HRC that he supported civil unions, not marriage equality, because marriage has 'a spiritual dimension.'

That should have told voters everything they needed to know about Obama's attitude toward same-sex relationships but the lemmings went ahead and supported him anyway throughout the primary season. By the end of summer 2008 it was too late; Grumpy McSame and the Wasilla Snowbilly were the only other realistic alternatives.

[dicentra]

06:16 AM on 06/30/2011

Why put words in his mouth? I've read other places that it's his law background, not religion, that makes him unsure on the issue and that he continues to try to work this out. I've never seen anything that would indicate Obama is a bigot.

[talkstocoyotes]

09:46 AM on 06/30/2011

Bigot, values-free lawyer or panderer to a voting bloc whose members would never consider voting for him anyway, it doesn't say much for him.

[TaxTheChurch]

06:18 PM on 06/28/2011

These comment threads are fantastic. Welcome aboard AOL users! Still paying 9.99 a month for something that everyone else gets for free?

[Bill J4321]

10:41 PM on 06/29/2011

what's AOL?

[myvoice2011]

06:00 PM on 06/28/2011

I don't think obama should ever have had the support of the LGBT community! He says he's not for gay marriage. Don't know how he got the support in the first place! If his position is something like this "Publicly I say I'm against it but inside, I really support it" then shame on him. That position is like being 'in the closet'....i.e. 'On the outside, I'm not gay; on the inside, I am.' Sorry - but the LGBT community deserves better!

[Killjoy]

05:46 PM on 06/28/2011

I thought he made himself clear prior to becoming president? Why don't Obama step aside and let the Republicans deal with this matter. I'm sure some roads will get paved in a positive directions for the those who go against natural creation.

[Ioan Lightoller]

05:12 AM on 06/30/2011

Middle finger extended to you, the Rethuglican Party and your "natural creation" bullcrap.
Oh and it should be "why doesn't Obama", not "why don't Obama". Spell and grammar check can be your best friend.

[Peter Finarovsky]

05:45 PM on 06/28/2011

I'd like to see Bernie Sanders or someone like him primary Obama. I'm sick and tired of this republican and democrat's clothing.

[Rescisco]

05:30 PM on 06/28/2011

On this issue as in so many others the President sends "mixed messages." His position is "evloving" etc. While it is often appropriate and even necessary to sometimes steer a middle course or evade controversy (this is where all the "evolving" comes into play) it is also just as often appropriate and necessary to demonstrate leadership in more assertive and bold ways. I am not criticizing the President when I say he dares to be cautious. That is just his basic approach. But as the nation's Chief Executive, he must begin to lead more assertively in my view. He is clearly smart, always "evolving," and generally given to compromise rather than conflict. But leadership sometimes requires proactive engagement and the presentation of a vision backed by action. Deferring to others, building common grouns, that's nice and its a legislative perspective. But an abundance of caution in many circimstances where bold executive leadership and a well formed program of action is required is beginning to grow old. It cedes the initiative to others, one's opponents, and surrenders the agenda as well.

[dorzic]

04:58 PM on 06/28/2011

Evolve already!

[talkstocoyotes]

09:47 AM on 06/30/2011

Yeah, time to evolve a backbone. They can come in handy when walking upright.

[JJinAZ]

04:48 PM on 06/28/2011

Whats wrong with civil unions? everyone wins

[Ioan Lightoller]

05:16 AM on 06/30/2011

If you have to ask, let's change your marriage into a "civil union" with none of the 1100+ rights heterosexual married couples enjoy and lets see how much longer you think "everyone wins". The only people who continue to win are heterosexuals when they marry. GLBT people do not.

[talkstocoyotes]

09:48 AM on 06/30/2011

Right. After all, if "everyone wins", why not let same-sex couples be married and opposite-sex ones, INCLUDING OBAMA AND MICHELLE, just be civil unioned. Can you imagine the shrieks of outrage, particularly from people who insist that they 'have a lot of gay friends'? ; )

[Carol Gebert]

04:44 PM on 06/28/2011

To those who say this is a states issue -- If MA, or NY say gay marriage is ok, then would you support the feds extending all federal rights to gay couples in those states? (i.e. joint tax filing, inheritance, SS survivorship, etc)

[gaydood]

05:28 PM on 06/28/2011

right on !

[bradenton]

04:42 PM on 06/28/2011

Obama's position on Gay marriage is simply he does not support it. This is the reason the Gay community will not support him in 2012.

[leggytingle]

05:24 PM on 06/28/2011

Who will "they" support?

[TurnToTheLeft]

06:16 PM on 06/28/2011

Stop navel gazing. Look at the bigger picture. President Obama has signed into law more pro-gay rights legislation than any other president. He got DADT repealed and has appointed openly out gay men and lesbians to important jobs within his administration. He cannot openly support Gay Marriage until reelected because African American Baptists and Latino Catholics are strongly opposed to Gay Marriage. We must keep our tenuous coalition together or we will empower the solidly anti-gay Tea Party Republicans,

[emma richmond]

02:54 PM on 06/28/2011

Is this what the NEWS about today at the WH? The President didn't say Marriage Equality. Some People might not like what we are going to say, WE REMEMBER WHEN GOD TOLD MOSES TO GO AND BRING MY PEOPLE OUT OF EGYPT, THE PEOPLE WHINED AND COMPLAINTED, WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO HELP THEM, THEY DIDN'T APPRECIATE WHAT he was doing for them, but he kept on helping and giving them no matter how they whined until he got angry and left them in the Wilderness for 40 years, what we are saying be thankful for what have been accomplished and keep striving for what you believe, but don't Condemn someone else for they Views, opinions and Belief, the President layed the ground work, it's up to them to know where they want to go do just as they did in NYC, the ugly attacks on the President, don't accomplish anything, and it don't look nice when someone trying to force they views on you or condemn you when you have your own Belief.

[pita143]

03:28 PM on 06/28/2011

Thank you. I have been trying to say repeatedly that the President coming out in support of Marriage Equality would actually cause more problems because the GOP and the Religious Right would rally to defeat every single state attempt at Marriage Equality.

Once enough states have come out in support of Marriage Equality and the Democrats get back the Majority it is very easy for the President and the Democrats to come out and push for a Federal Law that recognized Marriage Equality based on the number of states that had already passed that Equal Right for people.

But many do not seem to understand that if this President comes out and supports Marriage Equality it could kill the advances that will be made on this subject.

[leggytingle]

05:25 PM on 06/28/2011

Well, the President "coming out" will cause problems. He's been on the d/l for a very long time.

[TurnToTheLeft]

06:07 PM on 06/28/2011

F&F

[TurnToTheLeft]

06:05 PM on 06/28/2011

This Gay man agrees with you. President Obama has accomplished a lot of good things. He has pushed equality forward for gay people - securing employment rights, a permanent correct end to DADT and hiring openly gay men and lesbians to positions of real power within his administration. All the while he has been plagued by a cacophony of of criticism from the right and the left. At this point in time President Obama can NOT openly back gay marriage without losing the 2012 election. African American Baptists and Latino Catholics will not vote for him if he crosses that line. So at present he has to take the heat from white liberals and precious independents that want him to come out and "LEAD" - if he does he cannot put together a coalition for re-election. The Left needs to get off his back unless they want the anti gay, anti women's rights Romney/Bachmann or Pawlenty Bachmann. The Tea Party republicans have sworn to stomp all gay rights, revive DADT, end Unions ...

F&F