Obama's support for gay marriage will galvanize both parties

WASHINGTON.  May 12. KAZINFORM  U.S. President Barack Obama's about-face in favor of same-sex marriage will galvanize both Democrats and Republicans to get out and vote, both helping and hurting the president's re-election bid, analysts said.

In a sudden reversal from his previous opposition to same-sex marriage, Obama on Wednesday became the first sitting U.S. president to come out and support the idea, saying he has "always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally."

"It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married," he said in a TV interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, which was aired in full on Thursday' s Good Morning America.

According to Xinhua, the pronouncement came on the heels of Vice President Joe Biden's remarks on Sunday's "Meet the Press" TV talk show that he was "absolutely comfortable" with the idea that same-sex couples and heterosexual couples are "entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties."

Critics blasted the administration's previous stance as confusing, as Obama had opposed gay marriage but supported same-sex civil unions. But analysts said that Obama changed course in a bid to re-assure his Democratic base.

 

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