Was yesterday a good day or bad day for President Obama?
He was the lead story on every newscast. “Today, President Obama became the first president in history to endorse gay marriage.” Later in some programs there was a recap of the prior day elections and North Carolina voted by a 60-40 count to ban gay marriages in North Carolina.
First, let me say, I’m ambivalent about gay marriage. If states want to have gay marriages, fine. I do believe there is a cost involved both at the state and federal level. This cost is one of the issues gay couples feel is part of the unfairness of not having gay marriages. Joint tax returns, spousal social security, etc. The cost is never discussed, but Obama is never concerned about spending money, is he?
Voters who passionate about this issue were probably passionate about Obama. Voters who are equally passionate about not having gay marriage may have been Obama supporters in the last election and won’t be in this one. In Chicago, Cardinal Francis George spoke against gay marriage. He may take some previous Obama voters with him. African American’s normally poll strongly against gay marriage. Certainly, North Carolina, a swing state showed where the voters there stood.
How much this is a winner or loser for Obama remains to be seen. But, the impetus for the Obama position and the speech announcing the decision will haunt Obama.
Joe Biden did this to Obama. Some White House insider told a TV reporter, “sometimes Joe forgets he’s on TV and just blurts out his thoughts”. Isn’t it refreshing to know a man a heartbeat away from running our country is incompetent? Remember all the attacks and nasty joke on late night TV about Cheney? But, no one questioned his competence. Did this insure Obama will have a new running mate this year?
But, more damning, in his announcement about the factors that motivated him to make this decision and announcement, Obama said this:
When I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” said Obama.
The “fighting on my behalf” will be in republican TV campaign ads this year. Rest assured. There is no better way to portray the narcissistic Obama than these words, his words. For those of us and the troops who believe they are fighting on “our behalf” this is not a big motivating speech. His infrequent mention of Afghanistan and even more infrequent visits don’t suggest to the troops that they are fighting for him. The troops, like the country, reflect many political persuasions. There are many in the troops who don’t like the president. To suggest to them that they are fighting for him and him alone is a bad idea.
You, time, and the election will decide whether Obama had a good or bad day yesterday. There’s a lot to digest.