Obama Publicly Supports Gay Marriage: Will It Help or Hurt His Campaign?

by SodaHead News Posted 2012/05/09 20:00:00

Related Topics: 2012 Election, Obama, Gay Marriage, Support, Announcement, Civil Union, GOP, ABC News, The Election, Public Opinion, General Election, Election, ABC, Unions, Sex, President Obama, Smart

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	Help	1,106 votes	46%
	Hurt	1,282 votes	54%

We're six months from the general election, and things are starting to get serious. After months of focus on the GOP primary, President Obama is taking a preliminary shot at policy. In an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, Obama became the first U.S. president to publicly support gay marriage. This is a significant change in perspective from his 2008 campaign, when he supported civil unions but opposed gay marriage.

He told ABC News, "For me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couple should be able to get married." Many suspect the sudden shift is in response to public opinion, which has been steadily moving in the direction of support for gay marriage, and while it certainly won't be the focus of the election, it has vast implications for the direction Obama's campaign might head. Do you think it will help Obama get reelected, or will this breaking news do more harm than good?

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Chelsea 2012/05/09 23:04:30

Hurt

+60
More proof that Obama has no moral compass or developed conscience. He truly is a empty suit.
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tagengsup2004 2012/05/10 17:41:31

Hurt

+1
Maybe in the northeast, the left coast specifically California, Maybe Washington, but Idon't see it happening in the interior except some of the norther states like maybe Minnesota and Michigan, I think the map shown is a bit deceptive especially in the south cause in louisianna most of the votes probably came from NewOrleans in Georgia, Atlanta, not Sure in ref to Borth Carolina can't see them aggreeing with him, same goes for the desert states, all in all it depends for a lot of these states whose bothering to vote, cause in an actual election in November I don't the South and the Plains states would lean his way at all.

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ChristopherLondon 2012/05/10 17:41:26

Help

+1
I think Obama's decision to support gay marriage may help him energize the electorate but more importantly what it does is begin to get these wedge issues which are used to divide people off the table. Gay marriage has no impact on those who do not support it for one reason or another. But seeding and justifying divisions in the electorate on this issue

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ProStylista 2012/05/10 17:40:32

Help

+1
It's definitely going to help the lbgt community feel like Amercan human beings.

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ixithed... to ProStyl... 2012/05/10 18:00:43

Just like he did African Americans and Hispanics? Only to drop them completely for this race. He supports what he knows will get him votes. Just like Romney. I don't trust either and have no idea which way to vote this year because I don't think either of them will keep their word. Last election he was against gay marriage.

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fortycal_sig 2012/05/10 17:40:20

Help

...but not appreciably.

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mind-pilot 2012/05/10 17:40:02

Help

It is constitutionally correct for "equality". It can't hurt him. His opposition is already mistrusted by the minorities ie: Most women,Blacks,Hispanics, College voters,Young voters,50% male voters, the gays are just a part of those groups. Add those to the rest of us disgruntled types that don't like being given the bad, corporate owned and funded candidates the only thing Obama's opposition has left is to rig the vote. If that happens again there will be hell to pay. It's real America.

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BlondeAphrodite 2012/05/10 17:39:30

Help

hopefully help

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loudelk99 2012/05/10 17:39:14

Hurt

+1
From what i heard he was saying that the states ought to decide the issue. Which is the way it should be done. Gay marriage supporters lose support when they compare being gay to being black. I think this won't do obama any good.

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swp to loudelk99 2012/05/10 17:45:44

+1
"Gay marriage supporters lose support when they compare being gay to being black."

Really? Why?

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loudelk99 to swp 2012/05/14 13:20:38

Because being gay is a matter of a sexual preference, being black is something you are born with. The majority of black people I know don't care for the years of struggle and racism to be compared to something you can choose not to do.

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swp to loudelk99 2012/05/15 15:52:31 (edited)

That is in fact incorrect. We know now that being gay is not a choice. Human sexuality is not as straightforward as was once believed. There are people that have no more choice in being gay than they would have in choosing the colour of their skin.

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swp to loudelk99 2012/05/15 16:03:30

"...homosexuality is simply a normal biological variant seen in virtually all species. The evidence also strongly suggests that it is not a choice – any more than heterosexuality is a choice."
http://theness.com/neurologic...

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Harry B... to loudelk99 2012/05/10 17:59:59

Shouldn't states also decide the abortion issue?

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loudelk99 to Harry B... 2012/05/14 13:18:04

Yes, that is the way it should have been done.

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MHA 2012/05/10 17:39:05

Hurt

+1
This is a NON issue for the presidential race and should not even be brought up right now. He sticks his foot in his mouth a lot, and this time is no different. Thanks, Joe! ;>

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Rundy to MHA 2012/05/10 18:07:50

Vegas odds are Obama a minus $210 Romney a plus $170.......Romney will get his ass handed to him. He wants to lower income taxes 7% for the super wealthy......Duh, losing !

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joe 2012/05/10 17:38:54

Help

+1
Any policy the president backs that secures equal rights for any disenfrachised group of citizens helps him and the country. Gays are here and have been part of the natural order since the beginning of time. The original primary function of marriage was to create a stable environment to produce and raise children. The primary function of marriage now is legal and economic and defines insurance benefits, property rights, inheritance rights, tax liabilities and deductions and government entitlements. Gays deserve these same rights since children are not evan a legitimate consideration regarding marriage anymore. Look at the massive number of children born by single Christian mothers. Conservatives tell us America is a Christian nation and marriage is a sacred institution, but all the children born out of wedlock are Christian.

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Thorin 2012/05/10 17:38:30

Hurt

+1
well, I was going to vote against him anyway, so really my vote personally should be "neither"

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rayann baisden 2012/05/10 17:38:00

Hurt

Who would believe him anyway, just another stunt of his, after the election he turn back! Vote Rommy 2012!

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ixithed... to rayann ... 2012/05/10 18:02:53

I'm republican and I don't trust Romney either. There's no one in this race that, in my opinion, is worth voting for.

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JustBeingAtPeace 2012/05/10 17:37:46

Help

+1
Either way, he is not only standing for Gay and Lesbian right but equality for one and all. Remember Liberty freedom and justice for all or what about All men are created equal? Jmo. Could go either way but kudos Mr President for taking a stand plain and simple.

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Kristin 2012/05/10 17:37:21

Hurt

+3
I hope it hurts his campaign. The sooner we get this idiot out of office the better.

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KoUnTrY KrAcKeR 2012/05/10 17:35:29

Hurt

+1
I Dont like Em

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Rundy to KoUnTrY... 2012/05/10 18:11:16

Then vote for Romney............he wants to lower income tax 7% for the super wealthy and 2% for you............if that's what you want, then give him your vote.

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Racefish 2012/05/10 17:34:37

Hurt

+1
He already had the LGBT group in his pocket. The ones who "would" have voted for him are going to dump him because of this if they are fundamentalists. This will also cost him in the Islamic, Hispanic, and Black, communities.

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ixithed... to Racefish 2012/05/10 18:03:41

I didn't even think about the Islamic communities on this stance! Good point!

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Bassett, Wayne 2012/05/10 17:34:31

Hurt

+2
I hope it hurts him. I hope he is voted out before he ruins OUR country. Funny thing is all of a sudden he's for it. Politicians will do and say anything to get votes. What we should worry more about jobs for our young people and all Americans. Get our textile and other industries back. Secure our boarders and make this Country Great again like it once was. I will not vote for Obama.

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Marion 2012/05/10 17:33:42

Help

+1
He is a political animal who will agree to anything and everything if there are votes that come with it. He may be wearing camouflage but I see him anyway

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Nameless 2012/05/10 17:33:27

Help

+2
At least I hope it helps

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4570GOVT 2012/05/10 17:33:18 (edited)

Hurt

+1
It will help in certain areas - BUT - over all , it will make his opposition Stronger & Have more ammunition for his defeat .

He " TRIED " for a long time to Dodge The Issue ( and even dodged it in his response , read it all ) . After BIDEN opened his mouth , Obama Got Hammered !

He " Still Thinks " that it should be a States Rights Issue and each State should have their own laws on this matter ( DODGE MUCH ? ) He feels that the Federal Government should stay out of it .................. at LEAST until " after the election " .

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craiger 2012/05/10 17:33:08

Hurt

+3
Whatever the polls say or the media tells him
Is what he will do. I'm still disgusted with the Bin Laden parade. I hope people will soon realize how destructive this man is. Perhaps now he will all of a sudden be French - depends on what the media tells him to be.

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manoftruth to craiger 2012/05/10 17:37:10

absolutely right !! as i always say their nothing by merte puppets on a prverbial political string dangling from the 1% hands with the money !! whores of corrupted politics !! pimped out by the rich and wealthy !! just because he's half black doesn't mean a damn thing !!he's still a politicians !! speaks out of both sides of his mouth !! i wonder what his dump ass would do if his parents decided to marry a man or a awoman ?? he would be wasted sperm !!righty ??

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branrules101 2012/05/10 17:30:47

Help

+1
I wanna say 'hurt' but that would be a lie... I don't support Obama in any way really. But, I agree with him here. He wont get my vote, but this pandering will certainly help him.

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SirJim 2012/05/10 17:30:35

Help

I really don't understand how same marriages effects anyone but those who are getting married. In my personal opinion if it doesn't effect how you live or how well you live you should just keep your petty opinions to yourselves. Now as far as all these so called Christians and bible readers are concerned it seems to me if you really read your bible you wouldn't judge lest you be judge. The whole point of calling yourself a Christian is supposed to mean being Christ like. I don't see a lot Christ like forgiveness in a lot of these comments.

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4570GOVT to SirJim 2012/05/10 17:40:06

................ this is NOT just Christians ( get over your hatred ) , It is " ALL RELIGIONS " and the vast majority of the country as well ! Some Christians ( as well as MOST others ) are not very Christlike ( but THEY are not Christians ) . I am with Obama on this .......... IT SHOULD BE A STATES RIGHTS ISSUE ! The Federal Government Should Have NO VOICE In It .

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Evil Temptress 2012/05/10 17:30:07

Help

I really, really, really hope that it helps him but it could easily hurt him.

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Jay Brandt 2012/05/10 17:29:15

Help

+3
Polling shows that over 50% of Americans support same sex marriage rights...in other words, they actually support the intent of our constitution...equal rights for all, freedom, pursuit of happiness and liberty. One doesn't even have to personally approve of same sex marriage in order to support the rights of other Americans to make this personal choice. I think this will earn the President even greater respect from many independent voters...those on the far right and left were already decided and this won't make any difference.

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manoftruth to Jay Brandt 2012/05/10 17:40:08
4570GOVT to Jay Brandt 2012/05/10 17:44:44

MOST people support " Civil Unions " over same sex marriage ( true fact ) . You could make it more easy to swallow with a " word change " . Even many religious people could agree with that . ( that's a start ) . They get every benifit of marriage , then after the public gets used to it ............ who knows ?

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GiuliettaTomolei 2012/05/10 17:29:08

Help

+2
It'll help with some voters, and it'll hurt with others.

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