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	<title><![CDATA[Obama Offers Gays a Consolation Prize of Extended Benefits]]></title>
	<url>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-rubysachs/obama-offers-gays-a-conso_b_216547.html</url>
	<abstract><![CDATA[<p><img alt="2009-06-17-blogmarriagegaytop.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2009-06-17-blogmarriagegaytop.jpg" width="300" height="198" /></p>

<p>Obama didn't have to <a href="http://hunterforjustice.typepad.com/files/smelt-doj-mot-dismiss.pdf">defend DOMA</a>. </p>

<p>Howard Dean protested <a href="http://www.americablog.com/2009/06/rachel-maddow-and-howard-dean-on-obamas.html">on The Rachel Maddow Show</a> that he doubts Obama himself was aware of the recently filed brief in defense of the Defense of Marriage Act. But weeks ago, many new outlets, including<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-rubysachs/obama-dont-defend-doma_b_205615.html"> my column on this site</a>, covered the fact that the President has the legal right to refuse to defend clearly unconstitutional laws.</p>

<p>I have no doubt that President Obama was well aware...</p>]]></abstract>
	<taxonomy><![CDATA[Politics]]></taxonomy>
	<date_published>2009-06-16T21:39:00-04:00</date_published>
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