Obama to Clarify Stance on Same-Sex Marriage in ABC Interview?
The issue of same-sex marriage in American politics is reaching a boiling point and President Barack Obama is set to sit down for an interview with ABC News Wednesday afternoon, where it is believed he will be asked to clarify his administration's position on the topic.
"Robin Roberts, co-host of Good Morning America, will conduct an 'exclusive, wide-ranging interview' with President Barack Obama at the White House today. A source at ABC confirms to POLITICO that Roberts will ask Obama about his views on same-sex marriage, an issue that has dogged his campaign this week," Politico revealed.
The interview comes only days after two major Obama officials said they are on board with same-sex marriage.
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"Look, I just think that the good news is that as more and more Americans come to understand what this is all about, it's a simple proposition: Who do you love? Who do you love? And will you be loyal to the person you love? And that's what people are finding out, is what all marriages at their root are about, whether they're marriages of lesbians or gay men or heterosexuals," said Vice President Joe Biden on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. Vice President Biden added that he was "absolutely comfortable" with gay marriage.
Biden later clarified that his statement was not necessarily a reflection of President Obama's exact view. However, another important figure in the president's administration, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, shared Monday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that he, too was in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage.
Some gay rights groups have expressed their belief that this means President Obama is also supportive of same-sex marriage.
"Duncan speaking out is particularly important given his role as the nation's top education official," shared Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay advocacy group. "There's no doubt in my mind that the president shares these values, and that's why it's time for him to speak out in favor of marriage equality as well."
The Washington Post's opinion columnist Dana Milbank wrote Monday, when the Obama administration was asked to clarify its position in light of Biden and Duncan's remarks, that much of the White House press corps believes Obama is indeed in favor of same-sex marriage and is waiting until he gets reelected to express it.
"Whatever Obama's public position, there was little doubt in the briefing room Monday that the president supports gay marriage and that he would go public with this position after Election Day, when he no longer need fear losing independent voters," Milbank wrote.
Most observers believe, however, that President Obama, who has declared his support for civil unions, but stood behind the traditional definition of marriage during his 2008 campaign, will have to address speculation on where he stands on the issue sooner rather than later -- and the ABC News interview will likely provide such a platform.
