President Obama said that he had already decided to endorse gay marriage at some point ahead of the presidential election when Vice President Joe Biden jumped the gun with his own announcement on Sunday, according to an interview with ABC.
“He probably got out a little over his skis, but out of generosity of spirit,” Obama told ABC’s Robin Roberts in an interview that aired Thursday on Good Morning America. “Would I have preferred to have done this in my own way on my own terms without, I think, there being a lot of notice to everybody? Of course. But all’s well that ends well.”
Biden on Sunday that he is "comfortable" with gay marriage, setting in motion a three-day saga that came to a head on Wednesday with Obama endorsing gay marriage in an interview with Roberts. The endorsement came just one day after North Carolina voters overwhelmingly adopted a constitutional amendment outlawing gay marriage in the state. Excerpts of the interview aired on Wednesday night on ABC’s World News With Diane Sawyer.
Obama acknowledged that this position is at odds with his stance when he ran for the Senate in 2004 and for president in 2008. He described the thought process that led to the decision to embrace same-sex marriage as an “evolution” based on conversations with his wife, staff members, openly gay and lesbian service members, and particularly with his two young daughters.
“You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples,” Obama said. “It wouldn't dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently. It doesn't make sense to them and, frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective.”
Obama’s new position contrasts sharply with Mitt Romney’s longtime stance. Romney stressed his view on Wednesday ahead of the ABC interview, saying that he unequivocally opposes “marriage between people of the same gender.”
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for National Journal’s AM & PM Must Reads. News and analysis to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Leave A Comment