Biden apologizes to Obama over gay marriage flap

[SteveG]

20. He blew the timing.

Obama wanted to do it just before the convention. But the question was asked of him, and there really wasn't any way for him parse his words in a way that wouldn't sound like he was dissembling, so his best bet was to state his personal opinion with the proviso that he didn't set policy, which he did. I don't think this really plays against Obama in the election, since the people he alienated by backing same sex marriage were already not going to vote for hime because of his refusal to defend DOMA and his getting rid of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. What the Republican base forgets is that too win a state like PA, they have to win the upscale suburbs around cities like Philly and Pittsburgh with wide margins like they did up through Bush I. These people, while generally fiscally conservative are socially liberal and the Social Issue conservatives give them the creeps in a big way. Starting with Clinton the Democrats have done much better with this demographic. Support for gay marriage isn't going to be an issue for these voters except in a positive way.