David Axelrod: Obama Was 'Bullshitting' Opposition To Gay Marriage In 2008

[MineralMan]

30. That could be. It could also be that the time when this country

was ready to get rid of that injustice had arrived. There's no question about Barack Obama's skills at getting things done. He got rid of DADT at a time I didn't think that could get through Congress. It took some give and take, of course, but it happened. I really have no idea how he felt about marriage equality, but he certainly added his support for it at a critical time.

In Minnesota, it wouldn't have happened, except that Obama's win of a second term swept a Democratic majority into our state legislature, and the new legislature made marriage equality a priority the next year. In 2012, there was a constitutional amendment on our ballot that would have banned same-sex marriage. Democratic turnout to re-elect Obama sent that down to defeat, along with a voter ID amendment.

The fact is that Obama's popularity made many things possible. I give him credit for a number of things, even if that credit is accidental.

The fact that marriage equality has succeeded is largely due to his election for two terms.