Gay Conservative Groups: Good Obama Adopted Cheney Position On Same-Sex Marriage

Two groups for gay conservatives gave faint praise Wednesday to President Barack Obama for saying that he backs same-sex marriage, but slammed the announcement as political and ill-timed.

Both groups, Log Cabin Republicans and GOProud, also made specific mention of former Vice President Dick Cheney, downplaying Obama's statement because the Republican embraced same-sex marriage first.

"That the president has chosen today, when LGBT Americans are mourning the passage of Amendment One, to finally speak up for marriage equality is offensive and callous,” said R. Clarke Cooper, Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans. "Log Cabin Republicans appreciate that President Obama has finally come in line with leaders like Vice President Dick Cheney on this issue, but LGBT Americans are right to be angry that this calculated announcement comes too late to be of any use to the people of North Carolina, or any of the other states that have addressed this issue on his watch."

He continued to bash the administration, saying it "has manipulated LGBT families for political gain as much as anybody, and after his campaign’s ridiculous contortions to deny support for marriage equality this week he does not deserve praise for an announcement that comes a day late and a dollar short."

GOProud, which positions itself as more conservative than the Log Cabin Republicans, was no kinder.

"It is good to see that after intense political pressure that President Obama has finally come around to the Dick Cheney position on marriage equality," said co-founder Christopher R. Barron in a statement. "I am sure, however, the President’s newly discovered support for marriage is cold comfort to the gay couples in North Carolina. The President waited until after North Carolina passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage."

He called it "hardly a profile in courage," but added, "the real kudos here goes to LGBT activists and their allies who finally forced the President into yielding on this issue."

Cheney in 2009, after leaving office, said he backed same-sex marriage but it should be left to the states to decide. He had made similar federalist arguments before the 2004 election, saying that he didn't support a federal marriage amendment -- a break with President George W. Bush. The former vice president has an openly gay daughter, Mary, who has two children with her partner, Heather Poe.

Obama, in his comments Wednesday, said that he personally thinks gay couples should be allowed to legally wed, but added that he supports the idea of states deciding the issue.

Here are some other reactions to the Obama announcement:

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• Mitt Romney

  "I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman," Mitt Romney said.

• Kyrsten Sinema

• Daniel O'Donnell

• Kirsten Gillibrand

• Jeff Merkley

• Elizabeth Warren

• Michael Bloomberg

  "This is a major turning point in the history of American civil rights," said New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. "No American president has ever supported a major expansion of civil rights that has not ultimately been adopted by the American people - and I have no doubt that this will be no exception. The march of freedom that has sustained our country since the Revolution of 1776 continues, and no matter what setbacks may occur in a given state, freedom will triumph over fear and equality will prevail over exclusion. Today's announcement is a testament to the President's convictions, and it builds on the courageous stands that so many Americans have taken over the years on behalf of equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans, stretching back to the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village."

• Jerrold Nadler

  "I applaud President Obama for announcing his support for marriage equality today," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) "For the first time in this nation's history, a sitting president has shown the courage and leadership to stand up for all American families by pledging to support the fundamental right of every person to marry the person they love, and to have that marriage fully respected. I commend President Obama for this brave and honest step. Those who seek to politicize civil rights for personal or political gain will certainly attack him, but the course toward marriage equality and justice is the correct and inevitable path."

• Brad Lander

• Fred Karger

  "I'm thrilled!" longshot GOP presidential candidate Fred Karger told HuffPost, referring to Obama's embrace of marriage equality. Karger is the first openly gay Republican or Democrat to run for president. "The Karger pressure has worked," he joked. "Particularly after the defeat in North Carolina, we welcome him to the full equality position."

• Vince Gray

• Martin O'Malley

• Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

• Barack Obama

• Mark Udall

• Senator Chris Coons

• Rep.George Miller

• Jim Himes

• Nancy Pelosi

• Nita Lowey

  "I have been blessed to have a long and happy marriage. I strongly believe all Americans deserve that same opportunity," said Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.)

• Antonio Villaraigosa

• Jackie Speier

• Michael Steele

• Dennis Kucinich

• John Brunner

• Cory Booker

• Chris Gregoire

• Fred Karger

• Ted Strickland

• Jared Polis

• Reince Priebus

  "While President Obama has played politics on this issue, the Republican Party and our presumptive nominee Mitt Romney have been clear. We support maintaining marriage between one man and one woman and would oppose any attempts to change that," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.

• Debbie Wasserman Schultz

• Chellie Pingree

• Christine C. Quinn

• Mike Huckabee

  "Barack Obama just announced he supports same-sex marriage," Mike Huckabee wrote in a fundraising appeal to supporters. "Nancy Pelosi immediately jumped on the announcement and emailed Democrat activists nationwide promising to continue their fight. This is going to be a defining issue this election. Obama, Pelosi and the Democrats have been a complete failure on economic issues so now they are going to focus on issues that will rile up their base. Well, Mr. President it's going to rile up our folks also. Men and women who support traditional marriage."

• Rep. Bill Taylor

• Deval Patrick

• Frank Lautenberg

  "President Obama's support for marriage equality marks an important moment for civil rights in America," said Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), who co-sponsored legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). "We simply can not treat same sex couples as second-class citizens in our country. Marriage equality is one of the most significant civil rights battles of our time and is critical to guaranteeing the equal protection under the law promised to every American in the Constitution. The President's support for marriage equality should inspire Congress, Governors and state legislatures to advance civil rights for all Americans."

• Allen West

• Ann McLane Kuster

• Sen. Patrick Leahy

• Peter Welch

  "This is an historic moment and I applaud the President for his decision and courage," Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said. "One of the greatest and most liberating human emotions is acceptance. And what the President did today was accept that the quality of love two people share is more important than their gender. The President's decision required him look within and engage his heart. It is truly wonderful and welcome news."

• Senator Patty Murray

• Steve Rothman

  "As an early and strong proponent of Marriage Equality, I am very happy that President Obama has made this announcement," said Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.) "Marriage Equality is a matter of basic human rights and all of America's same-sex families are now closer to having their unions recognized by our government. This is an important step in our country's march toward achieving true justice and equality for all."

• Chuck Schumer

• JackieForNH

• Howard Dean

  "President Obama's public support for marriage equality is an historic affirmation of the fundamental American value of equal rights for all," said Howard Dean. "Having signed the nation's first law allowing Civil Unions as Governor of Vermont, I'm also proud to see our president affirm the belief that I and so many other Americans hold: loving and committed couples should have the same benefits that are extended through marriage. Marriage equality is a right and a benefit to all families."

• Mike Quigley

• Senator Ben Cardin

• Sen. Barbara Boxer

• Senator Dick Durbin

Comments

[Silverado Lady]

03:31 AM on 05/13/2012

The GOP has NO PLAN so they continue to try and take credit for stuff. Dick, HE MADE UP HIS OWN MIND, he was NOT getting in line with you.

[Michael Samra]

03:25 AM on 05/13/2012

All these issues like gay marriage are coming up because they have to take the focus off the economy.At the end of the day,most Americans are going to look what it cost to fill up there car and how much food they can put on the table.Thats a blatant fact and most people know this.
Remember the illustrious of Bill Clinton? Its the economy stupid!

[hughmeighan]

01:38 PM on 05/10/2012

Further, here is a quote from your "leader":
"I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman," Mitt Romney
Failure is only the beginning!

[carib qn]

01:35 PM on 05/10/2012

So this is where they are focusing their outrage??? On someone who agrees they should have civil rights? Unbelievable...

[dcgal1]

01:11 PM on 05/10/2012

Cheney's endorsement of ssm came after he left the white house and only because one of his daughters was gay not because of any deep held conviction , but because it affected a member of his family.
This a stance that was typical for Cheny because it was personal, and that's the only thing that motivates Cheny, selfishness.
If the president wanted someone to emulate, I'm sure it wouldn't be this man.
Mr. Cheney is no role model.

[revrobertmcmillan]

12:56 PM on 05/10/2012

Unbelievable! There is literally nothing this president can do that will not result in an "outcry" of blame from the right. What in god's name, or any other name for that matter, could cause a group of people to be so against one person? If the president cured cancer, the GOP would be against it.

[carib qn]

01:38 PM on 05/10/2012

Hey, a couple years ago I said "if the president kills Bin Laden they still wouldn't give him credit", meaning that to be an exaggeration. So don't count on the cancer curing either...

[misterzay]

06:57 PM on 05/10/2012

Sad but true
F&F

[carib qn]

01:42 PM on 05/10/2012

And Mitt would say he told the pres how to do it.

[FantasticFourFan]

12:50 PM on 05/10/2012

How come all the cons that think gay marriage is a deal breaking issue were so willing to overlook Cheney's position but are more then willing to tear apart any democrat that takes the exact same one? Oh, that's right, because they are partisan hacks! Never mind.

[Fourthgeneration CA]

12:04 PM on 05/10/2012

Listen Log Cabin and GOProud members. Chaney was a VP and had no more political aspirations when he made his announcement. He was a political non issue. Obama is the current President of the U.S. and his words carry more weight. For good, a liberal once again took the righties to task and beat them. Stop whining already... if you can. Really you are pathetic!

[misterzay]

07:00 PM on 05/10/2012

Cheney was out of office for 6 months when he gave the endorsement, not when he was still VP., and yes they are pathetic
FAN#10

[JC Young]

12:01 PM on 05/10/2012

Obama hasn't adopted Cheney's postion on gay marriage. Cheney's position on gay marriage is "my daughter is gay, so if I don't support her I won't see her again'. That's the only reason Cheney is supportive of gay rights.

[Mama Bee]

01:01 PM on 05/10/2012

Precisely.

[FlamingLibrul]

11:59 AM on 05/10/2012

"Gay conservatives-" the punchline to a bad joke.

If Cheney didn't have a gay daughter, he would be in line with 98% of his party. Any altruistic, non-greed related position taken by a right winger only comes about becuase it's something that directly affects them.

[dmm1047]

11:59 AM on 05/10/2012

What? So now Cheney is the ramrod for same sex marriages? What's next, he cured polio?

[HP Lucian]

03:25 PM on 02/26/2013

I'm so sorry for being completely immature, but "ramrod for same sex marriage" is just way too funny to ignore. Really - I shouldn't be chuckling :)

[dmm1047]

06:37 PM on 02/26/2013

 You know, I don;t even remember saying it, and it's a word(ramrod) I never use. Hmmm.

[ber6965]

11:55 AM on 05/10/2012

Yeah..............To Bad Cheney was Such a Co-ward..........To Not Support this when He was VP and Could Actually Affect Policy!

Obama 2012

[jdug]

11:55 AM on 05/10/2012

On video, Bush endorses civil unions.
Cheney endorses gay marriage.
Repubs & "christians" say nothing.

Obama endorses gay marriage.
Repubs and "christians" go beserk.

Typical hypocrisy.

[JC Young]

11:46 AM on 05/10/2012

I don't know why anyone that's not rich and white and straight would join the GOP party of discrimination and hate.

[Sam Dempsey]

02:46 PM on 05/10/2012

You left out "stupid"

[JC Young]

11:42 AM on 05/10/2012

If Cheney's daughter wasn't gay, Cheney would be out there leading the right wing haters against gays. You know that's true.