Barack Obama declares support for gay rights but not marriage (the rookie Hussein gets heckled)

Telegraph ^ | 6/24/11

[Libloather]

Barack Obama declares support for gay rights but not marriage
Barack Obama has touted his efforts to advance gay rights and promised further progress, but stopped short of declaring his support for legalising same-sex marriage.
7:00AM BST 24 Jun 2011

The US president received an enthusiastic reception from gay supporters at a New York fundraiser, but a few dozen gay rights protesters outside the hotel and a handful of hecklers inside the ballroom where he spoke served as reminders of frustration that he has not done more for their cause.

"I believe that gay couples deserve the same legal rights as any other couple in this country," Mr Obama said to loud applause from a crowd of about 600 at the "Gala with the Gay Community" event.

**SNIP**

Several people briefly heckled the president's speech, screaming, "Say yes to marriage!" when he described his initiatives on gay rights.

About 30 gay rights protesters gathered outside the hotel, chanting, "Obama, Obama, let mama marry mama."

Louis Flores, 38, said he was "angry and disappointed" that Mr Obama had not done more on gay marriage. "We should all be holding the president to his campaign promise."

[Libloather]

That's a shame.

[NMEwithin]

What exactly has he done to advance Gay rights?

[albie]

“What exactly has he done to advance Gay rights?”

...his hate crimes bill protects them from meanies.

[apillar]

What's funny is the liberal media played this speech up beforehand because they thought Obama was going to come out in full support of gay marriage, which makes a sense because why else would the White House publicize a speech to a gay group as a gamechanger and then have Obama basically walk in and say nothing new (no wonder they booed him)? I have a feeling he HAD planned what the media suggested, however someone in the White House bothered to do some polling and realized he would get destroyed in swing states if he came out as pro gay marriage.

[boomop1]

Campaign mode if he gets elected again it will be animal farm.

[longtermmemmory]

the marriage BS was a trial balloon AND a way to dissemble the news stories.

it was all fluffery to give obama the illusion as pro-homosexual in order to attract money from 2% of the population.

[N. Theknow]

I have a feeling he HAD planned what the media suggested, however someone in the White House bothered to do some polling and realized he would get destroyed in swing states if he came out as pro gay marriage.

It is hilarious to watch the MSM report on his poll numbers (48% say re-elect and 48% say no to re-elect) and then watch him flounder about trying to appease/please/pander/beg to different groups with certifiable desperate actions and speeches because his internal polling says he's toast.

[Genoa]

Louis Flores, 38, said he was "angry and disappointed" that Mr Obama had not done more on gay marriage. "We should all be holding the president to his campaign promise."

Maybe Louis isn't thinking straight. What campaign promise?

[pnh102]

What's funny is the liberal media played this speech up beforehand because they thought Obama was going to come out in full support of gay marriage...

The GOP should immediately push the idea that 0bama does in fact fully support government-sanctioned unions between members of the same sex. Even if it isn't overtly true, get it out anyway.

The funny part will be of course when 0bama denies it, he'll put a bad taste in the mouth of the left.

[MinuteGal]

"What exactly has he done to advance gay rights?"

He claims credit for extending visiting rights to gay couples, a comprehensive AIDS strategy, the ending of the military Dont Ask, Don't Tell policy, among other things.

He promises everything the gays want he will giveth unto them, providing, of course, he's around in the future....implicitly soliciting campaign support, votes and big buck contributions from this affluent, aggressive voting bloc.

Leni

[MrB]

What exactly IS a “gay right” that’s different from any other civil right?

[Tex-Con-Man]

It's fun to watch him trying to balance on this narrowest of narrow tight ropes. The black community has declared itself to be majority anti-gay marriage. The gay community wants marriage, and they are convinced the time is now. Obama needs both to get reelected. He is struggling to find the “middle ground” language.

[MEGoody]

"Obama, Obama, let mama marry mama."

These people are such loons. I can't help but think of the kid in high school who was always saying such stupid things you just had to roll your eyes.

[MinuteGal]

# 10 - should be "hospital visiting rights to gay couples"

Leni

[Genoa]

There's no way I can imagine blacks who were pro-Obama in 2008 deserting him now for any reason.

[NCC-1701]

"...Maybe Louis isn't thinking straight...."

Maybe Louis isn't thinking straight.

[Scotswife]

exactly.

Either I need more coffee, OR, during the campaign Obama was quoted stating he believes marriage is between a man and a woman.
yes?

[Genoa]

Or maybe in 2008 Obama was whispering to the "gay community" that they shouldn't take his election-year tributes to heterosexuality at face value. (Wink, wink.) They might have had a promise that we didn't get to read about.

[Tex-Con-Man]

There's no way I can imagine blacks who were pro-Obama in 2008 deserting him now for any reason.

Nor can I.

But on the other hand, Obama publicly declaring himself pro gay marriage would suppress voter turnout for his constituents who are for traditional marriage.

The Dems haven't forgotten the Prop 8 vote in California. The A-A vote was against gay marriage.

[BillyBonebrake]

Go ahead Barry, try and have it both ways with this one! I dare ya.