Obama’s statement put him in stark contrast to his Republican opponent, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who supports a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages.
Romney, after a campaign speech in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, underplayed his differences on the issue with Obama, while also offering a reminder that he had been consistent, The New York Times reported.
“This is a very tender and sensitive topic,” Romney said, “as are many social issues. But I have the same view I’ve had since, well, since running for office.”
Sen. Sherrod Brown, who was one of a handful of U.S. representatives who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, applauded the news.
“What has made America special throughout our history is the constant effort to secure rights for all of our citizens,” the Ohio Democrat said. “Our (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) friends, co-workers and neighbors should have the same rights enjoyed by all Americans.”
Locally, reaction was mixed among those interviewed Wednesday about Obama’s comments.
“Obama has the right to his opinion just like anyone else,” said Joel Roland, who described himself as middle of the road politically. “I don’t think it was just a political move because I don’t think it will help him in the election.”
Annie Hoskins said she had mixed feelings about the issue. She is disappointed in the president’s announcement even though she considers herself liberal.
“I like President Obama, but gay marriage is not biblical,” she said. “Marriage is for a man and a woman.”
“I think it’s about time a president stood up for something that might cost him some votes,” said Kevin Parker of Fairfield, who said he was a “leaning liberal.”
“I don’t think it was just a political move. It’s just the right thing to do.”
Hamilton’s Larry Campbell, who said he was “very conservative,” was critical of the move.
“It figures,” he said. “This country is going to pieces and Obama is leading the way. It’s all about politics, but this will come back to bite him. This is still a Christian country and if you go against the Bible, you go against America, decency and common sense.”
Ohio voters overwhelmingly passed a gay marriage ban in 2004 with nearly 62 percent of the vote. The issue passed in 87 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Athens County, home of Ohio University, was the only county where the issue failed.
Obama’s interview was intended to be wide-ranging, but it inadvertently became the outlet for his long-awaited evolution on same-sex marriage in a week that began with the remarks of his vice president, Joe Biden, all but embracing same-sex marriage in an expansive answer to a question on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. Biden’s comments increased the pressure on Obama to take a stand, with his press secretary, Jay Carney, pummeled with questions from White House reporters.
Newspaper editorials, columnists and bloggers assailed the president’s ambivalence, demanding clarity before the election.
On Tuesday, Carney signaled that Obama would soon address the matter.
But the timing was forced on the president in other ways.
On Thursday, Obama is to attend a fundraiser in Los Angeles at the home of actor George Clooney, which is expected to raise about $12 million, much of it from Hollywood people active in the gay-rights cause.
On Monday, Obama is scheduled to speak at a campaign fundraiser and reception of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Leadership Council in New York City, where the special guest is singer Ricky Martin, who is gay.
On June 6 Obama is scheduled to return to Los Angeles to speak at a gala benefiting the gay, bisexual and transgender community, with tickets costing up to $25,000.
And this summer, Democrats will begin meeting to draft the party’s platform for the national convention that will nominate Obama in September, and some gay-rights activists are pushing to include language endorsing same-sex marriage.
The New York Times News Service, Staff Writer Richard O Jones and Jessica Wehrman of the Washington Bureau contributed to this report.
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