Obama Supports States' Rights
Adam Freedman ·
May 10, 2012 at 11:14pm
Why isn't that the headline from the president's big interview with Robin Roberts? He repeatedly said that the marriage issue must be worked out at the state level. When pressed by Roberts on this he said: "I think it is a mistake to -- try to make what has traditionally been a state issue into a national issue. "
That means -- at least in theory -- Obama wants SCOTUS to overturn the Vaughn Walker/9th Circuit decisions declaring a federal constitutional right to gay marriage.
And of course, he must feel the same way about abortion, right? The Court should overturn Roe and return "what has traditionally been a state issue" to the states. I'll just wait for him to come out and say it.
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Comments:
Aug '10
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
A related point: Isn't it just a little odd that donors are showering the president with campaign contributions to reward him for expressing what he acknowledges is merely a personal opinion?
Mar '11
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
Fine if this is not a national issue but a State issue, I expect Obama to stop talking about or fund raising on this issue.
He is just hedging his bets to try and minimize offending some of his supporters who don't like gay marriage.
I believe/hope that this will not work.
Aug '10
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
For a "progressive" Democrat, politicians are one's spiritual leaders. Who one votes for is an expression of one's deepest identity. To disagree with one's spiritual leader on any issue is deeply disturbing to one's psyche. How well they perform at their job is less important than how closely they reflect your own values. For example: Politicians that subsidize their rich cronies are ok as long as they demonize the rich.
For a pragmatic Republican, politicians are one's employees and servants. Who one votes for is an expression of who one thinks would do the best job. To disagree with a politician's opinion (especially when it's on an issue that is largely outside their jurisdiction) may be annoying, but forgivable if one agrees with their actions. How closely they reflect your values is less important than how well they do their job. For example: Politicians that don't hate tax hikes are ok as long as they don't actually hike taxes.
Mar '11
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
Naturally, with a wink and a nudge. Certainly they are aware what is occurring here.
Just as the President's earlier proclamations of, "I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman" were transparent falsehoods his new found interest in state's rights is simply another fig leaf. As soon as his second term begins when he will have "more flexibility" a full court press in enforcing his evolved position will no doubt unfold.
Apr '11
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
Adam Freedman:
And of course, he must feel the same way about abortion, right? The Court should overturn Roe and return "what has traditionally been a state issue" to the states. I'll just wait for him to come out and say it. · · 34 minutes ago
I hope you have a good book, 'cause it's probably gonna be a long wait...
Jun '10
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
Cash is the mother's milk of evolution. I'm sure Darwin said that somewhere.
To Adam's point, I'd be very nervous if I were at the Department of Education. Obama may have already called Boehner to ask him to pass a bill abolishing it. Heck, Obama may just do it by executive order.
Edited on May 11, 2012 at 12:04amAug '10
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
So gay marriage is a state issue in Obama's opinion? Didn't Rick Perry once say something close to that?
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
Adam, are you insinuating that Barack Obama, the ONE, is being disingenuous? I am shocked, shocked.
Sep '10
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
Two men accidentally bump into each other in an airport departure lounge. They haven't seen each in many years. Neither likes the other. As one has to depart to catch an airplane, he says in passing:
"We should have lunch sometime."
The other responds:
"Yes, we should."
They never will.
May '10
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
Ironically, this is an issue which ultimately must be decided at the national level. You can bet your bottom dollar that Oklahoma, Alabama and other old-fashioned states in the South and Midwest are not going to recognize the "marriages" of gays from other states, no matter what the Constitution says about honoring each other's laws and contracts.
Don't make us choose between God and America. We will choose God.
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
I thought "states' rights" was just another way of saying "racism."
Aug '10
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
You know, there is no contradiction for the president to say that, from a certain point-of-view.
a) Since the president cannot unilaterally federalize gay marriage, there's no cost in saying it would be a mistake to do so. That's like saying it's a mistake for the president to summon Cthulhu. Of course trying to do something that you don't have the power to do is a mistake.
b) The president can certainly express his opinion that Congress shouldn't federalize gay marriage. It's just his opinion, and he has no power over Congress anyways.
c) If the supreme court declares state bans on gay marriage are unconstitutional then, hey, that's not the President's fault! It's the plaintiffs in the case that are making it a national issue, not the federal government.
He's saying it would be best for states to create gay marriage, so the Supreme Court doesn't have to.
In other words, it would be a mistake for the states to make it a national issue.
Aug '10
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
My question was indeed tongue-in-cheek/rhetorical. Misthio racy, in #3 you do a nice job of describing a distinction I believe to be absolutely accurate. I distill it to: Liberals are all about feelings; conservatives are all about facts. The former care more about lip service, empty gestures, and the like. The latter are more concerned with actions and results.
Mar '11
Re: Obama Supports States' Rights
Bah, damn.
Hah, damn me for seizing the moment to be so pendantic. I can't help but love a lesson in humility. It is truly living to learn from mistakes, easy to miss a jig when one is so focused on making a point. Lesson learned.
As an aside you are of course entirely correct Mr. Walker.
Edited on May 11, 2012 at 5:03am