Quick note for anyone who thinks Obama's gay marriage announcement was empty/meaningless/etc.

[WilliamPitt]

Public opinion continues to shift in favor of same-sex marriage, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, which also finds initial signs that President Obama’s support for the idea may have changed a few minds.

Overall, 53 percent of Americans say gay marriage should be legal, hitting a high mark in support while showing a dramatic turnaround from just six years ago, when just 36 percent thought it should be legal. Thirty-nine percent, a new low, say gay marriage should be illegal.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-president-obamas-announcement-opposition-to-gay-marriage-hits-record-low/2012/05/22/gIQAlAYRjU_story.html?hpid=z3

So.

[Scurrilous]

1. Thanks.

K & R

[Indykatie]

2. I Think Obama's Support Will Definitely Shift Opinion in the African American Community

and motivate AAs to speak openly of their support. I have seen this in my own family where my brother now says it's a non-issue with him and he sees nothing wrong with SS marriage. That is a big shift in his attitude. I always pointed out to him that as someone who has been married 3 times he was a hypocrite to think that SS couples didn't deserve the same freedom to marry.

[WilliamPitt]

10. Paragraph #3

"The poll also finds that 59 percent of African Americans say they support same-sex marriage, up from an average of 41 percent in polls leading up to Obama’s announcement of his new position on the matter. Though statistically significant, it is a tentative result because of the relatively small sample of black voters in the poll."

[MineralMan]

3. It is a bully pulpit, isn't it?

When the President speaks, people hear him. They may agree or disagree with him, but he is heard. In this case, he is right, and the bully pulpit is working for good.

[hifiguy]

4. This is a perfect example of how the bully pulpit

can be used effectively. I can't imagine the POTUS' statement not having an effect in the African American community and on fence-sitters.

[WilliamPitt]

11. Paragraph #3

"The poll also finds that 59 percent of African Americans say they support same-sex marriage, up from an average of 41 percent in polls leading up to Obama’s announcement of his new position on the matter. Though statistically significant, it is a tentative result because of the relatively small sample of black voters in the poll."

[davsand]

5. I remember watching Saint Ronnie Raygun refuse to even discuss AIDS.

I also remember watching men I loved DIE from a f***ing disease while potential treatments were stalled under that same buffoon's regime. I will go to my grave carrying that anger.

What Obama did was a VERY big deal.




Laura

[bigtree]

6. that's my President!

. . . changing hearts and minds!

[justiceischeap]

7. The fact that the NAACP is backing Pres Obama's proclamation

is meaningful in and of itself.

[Zorra]

8. He raised awareness of the issue, and probably caused many folks

to reassess their position on same sex marriage. And maybe some swung simply because they like the President.

It's great by me either way.

Any reasonable person who thinks logically is forced to conclude that same sex marriage should be legal when they consider the issue enough to understand it.

It was a really beneficial move by the Prez, from my POV.

[JNelson6563]

9. Some cannot give credit where it is due.

At least in regard to certain people. That's what hatred does ~ it blinds.

Julie

[Tarheel_Dem]

12. "That's what hatred does ~ it blinds."

That says it all. For the past three years we've been inundated with posts calling the president a homophobe, a bigot, and everything in between. The voices here that didn't go completely silent on this issue, only came forth to damn him with faint praise.

Ironically, after each triumph, they seem to hate him even more. Go figure...

[davsand]

16. Agreed! n/t

[HillWilliam]

13. In NC, it was the NAACP and many black churches who advocated against Amendment One

This gay man is forever grateful.

NOM's attempt to re-drive the wedge between African-Americans and the LGBT community is a piss in the wind. We're all watching them now.

[Freddie Stubbs]

14. Support for marriage equity has been dropping every year, including the ones when

President Obama opposed it.

Obama changed his stance of marriage equity because of public opinion, not the other way around.

[Bluenorthwest]

15. His words were wildly important, this was leadership of the best sort.

And part of why it was so powerful was that he made it a personal message, told as a person, with mention of his own family each by name. He meant what he said. He offered leadership by example.
I had the extra bonus fun of having a primary ballot with his name on it to mark and return last week in the Oregon primary.