Gawker:Barack Obama’s Bullshit Gay Marriage Announcement (still says its up to each state to decide)

[ProSense]

12. Wow

That is a half-assed, cowardly cop-out. There are currently at least three cases winding their way toward federal courts that address the issue of whether (among other things) the equal protection clause of the constitution guarantees gay men and women the same access to marriage rights as heterosexual men and women—the Proposition 8 case, in which David Boies and Ted Olson challenged California's ban on gay marriage, and several challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars gay men and woman from receiving federal marriage benefits and allows states to refuse to recognize valid gay marriages. Obama's Justice Department has admirably declined to defend the constitutionality of DOMA. But the position he enunciated today is in opposition to Boies and Olson: Obama is saying that if he were a judge, he would have rejected Boies and Olson's constitutional arguments and affirmed the right of Californians to enshrine bigotry in their state constitution.

...it's good to see these bitter clowns coming out of the woodwork. They seemed to be pissed off that the leader of the free world came out in support of marriage equality.

There are Libertarian candidates running around claiming to support marriage equality as a states rights issue, even some who claim it's an issue that should be left to the church. They want to have it both ways: free from Federal Government interference, but free to discriminate.

The President's statement eclipsed that ambiguity, and they hate that.

It's a bizarre thing to watch the few who are twisting in the wind to change the historic fact that for the first time ever, a sitting U.S. President (http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002666708) stated his support for marriage equality.

Who is leading on this issue among the candidates: Ron Paul? Gary Johnson? Both support states rights and claim "it's up to the church."

Who is your candidate?

Ron Paul Condemns Obama's Decision to Abandon DOMA

Congressman Ron Paul issued the following statement in response to Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement that the Obama Administration will cease to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) against legal challenges.

“The Defense of Marriage Act was enacted in 1996 to stop Big Government in Washington from re-defining marriage and forcing its definition on the States. Like the majority of Iowans, I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman and must be protected.

“I supported the Defense of Marriage Act, which used Congress’ constitutional authority to define what other states have to recognize under the Full Faith and Credit Clause, to ensure that no state would be forced to recognize a same sex marriage license issued in another state. I have also cosponsored the Marriage Protection Act, which would remove challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act from the jurisdiction of the federal courts.

http://theiowarepublican.com/2011/ron-paul-condemns-obama%E2%80%99s-decision-to-abandon-doma/

The notable exception was Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who said he would leave the definition of marriage to the states in accordance with the Constitution. He went one step further, though, suggesting the entire institution would be best left to the church.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57328247-503544/gop-debate-in-iowa-gets-weepy

Government should not impose its values upon marriage. It should allow marriage equality, including gay marriage. It should also protect the rights of religious organizations to follow their beliefs.

http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/issues/civil-liberties

I notice the OP cites Olson. Here is his statement:

AFER’s Ted Olson Supports Obama’s Same-Sex Marriage Endorsement
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002665147

This is a moment for celebration, not animosity.

"Obama's legal, policy & personal views are not in any way contradictory and present a clear path
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=667131

He did the right thing that so many challenged him to do, claimed he was too coward to do or insisted he was too politically opportunistic to do. He did it. Challenge met. Cowardly claims dashed. Opportunistic meme unraveled.

As a candidate, President Obama owns this issue with comprehensive and consistent actions.

President Obama Endorses Freedom To Marry

WASHINGTON – President Obama said this afternoon in an interview with ABC News that he believes that the freedom to marry should be extended to same sex couples.

Until now, the president has only favored civil unions, although he had said his views on same-sex marriage were “constantly evolving.” While in office, President Obama and his administration have taken critical strides toward LGBT equality by refusing to defend the discriminatory and unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act in court and pushing Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and reaffirming support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

“President Obama is doing the right thing and showing leadership by recognizing that lesbians and gays should be treated as equal citizens,” said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director. “The freedom to marry whomever we love and want to share our life with is fundamental to who we are and what we stand for as a country. The fight for fairness and equal treatment under the law for all Americans took a critical step forward today.”

http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/president-obama-endorses-freedom-marry

Transformational
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002666422