Today I submitted an iReport on President Obama’s decision to continue evolving on his support for same sex marriage. CNN picked it up for its CNN.com website and other properties.
Many like California ex-Speaker Willie Brown and MSNBC Chris Matthews thinks he is doing the right thing for winning the election. Their contention is that he could lose a couple of conservative states and some of the black vote if he did. I know many of those states comprise low information voters but those voters in my opinion are already lost.
My contention is that the downside from taking a position and moving on to other issues is less than the downside of seeming to be politically calculating since he has supported every single gay issue sans marriage equality. In an economy that is not yet recovered trust in a president is important and he must not seem to be overtly calculative. I wrote a blog on this issue today.
Overheard on CNN.com: How does same-sex marriage factor into voters’ decisions?
Editor’s note: This post is part of the Overheard on CNN.com series, a regular feature that examines interesting comments and thought-provoking conversations posted by the community.
President Barack Obama has expressed views on same-sex marriage that CNN opinion columnist LZ Granderson has called an "awkward dance," whereas Vice President Joe Biden has expressed support. Granderson, who is gay, asserts that Obama is keeping his conscience in the proverbial closet. The issue is in the spotlight because North Carolina’s primary, among three happening Tuesday, includes a referendum that would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage. The state currently does not permit such unions.
Obama keeps his conscience in the closet
Two iReporters weighed in on the issue with video commentary. Mark Ivy of Farmersburg, Indiana, says he is gay and in a long-term committed relationship. He also expresses his independent political views frequently on CNN iReport, and said he believes the issue should be decided by the states rather than federal government.
Compared to other things, the marriage issue is a "blip on the radar," Ivy said. He indicated that he doesn’t want politicians "pandering" in order to capture "our vote."
"Our time will come, but during this presidential election, the LGBT should keep its eyes on the more needy issues of the economy, jobs and the national debt."
Another iReporter, Egberto Willies of Kingwood, Texas, said he supports Barack Obama and believes the issue is important, but that will come in time.
"His position on same-sex marriage does not weaken my support," Willies said. "It means we must use several avenues to exert pressure to ensure he comes to the right conclusion eventually."
Willies described his political philosophy like this:
"I am not a one-issue voter. I look at every politician as an empty vessel that will ultimately follow his base if made to. It is incumbent then on those that elect a particular president to ensure he fulfill most of his promises by keeping the pressure on him and ensuring that he fears the political repercussions of not doing so."
Viewers are encouraged to subscribe and join the conversation for more insightful commentary and to support progressive messages. Together, we can populate the internet with progressive messages that represent the true aspirations of most Americans.
