# Log Cabin Republicans Trash Obama's decision to support gay marriage **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 9, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430 "2012-05-09T21:29:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/61 "2012-05-10T14:48:24Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > We all do that. Doesn’t mean we’re gay. You’ve actually been to the Bohemian Grove? I’m impressed. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/62 "2012-05-10T14:56:06Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > You’ve actually been to the Bohemian Grove? I’m impressed. He’s acted Bohemian in a grove. Apparently, they all do that. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/63 "2012-05-10T15:05:56Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > He’s acted Bohemian in a grove. Apparently, they all do that. I’ve grooved to Bohemian Rhapsody. What does that make me? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/64 "2012-05-10T15:10:03Z")
Mike Myers? ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/65 "2012-05-10T15:11:29Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I’ve grooved to Bohemian Rhapsody. What does that make me? About my age. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/66 "2012-05-10T15:14:26Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Meh, they hate themselves more than anyone. Nothing but pity for those poor self-loathing souls. I don’t really understand why whenever Log Cabin Republicans come up, there always seems to be sentiment that they hate themselves or something because they’re Republican. I don’t really have a dog in this fight since I’m neither gay nor Republican (or Democrat for that matter) and I do support marriage equality, but it seems to me that it’s possible that someone could be gay and they just aren’t single issue voters on gay rights. I have met at least a few long term gay couples who just didn’t really care all that much about the issue. That said, negative comments toward Obama on this are misguided. I do tend to believe that his intial comments against gay marriage were probably for political reasons, since he supported it before he was running for national office, and that he probably felt his hand was forced a bit here where he probably would have preferred to wait until after the election to bring it up. But still, even if he wasn’t a fan of the timing, Obama did repeal DADT and did publically express his support even if it was after the North Carolina vote. I also seriously doubt that Obama expressing his support would have made any real impact on that vote either and that the timing is more incidental. It seems to me like it’s just the Log Cabin Republicans doing damage control for their own group for fear that some of their own members may be swayed to vote for Obama in November because of this announcement and Romney’s vocal opposition. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/67 "2012-05-10T15:15:12Z")
I know a bunch of gay Republicans. It confuses the hell out of me. ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/68 "2012-05-10T15:19:09Z")
Why did they feel the need to bring up Cheney? Apparently they’re trying to make Obama seem antiquated on this issue, but Cheney is one of the few republicans who’s actually in favor of gay marriage, and his position is almost certainly tied to the fact that his daughter is gay. The other 99% of Republicans who aren’t in favor of gay marriage seem more relevant for comparison, especially since Cheney isn’t currently serving in elected office. I guess these bunch of self-loathers would rather take cheap shots at the president than spend more time advocating for change within their own goddamn party. FFS. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/69 "2012-05-10T15:19:15Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > So for both of these he made a gutsy decision at the right time? That was your point, right? This desire to build up Obama as a hand of guts and decision makes me chuckle. As far as OBL, he deserves a pat on the back sure. But, really, the credit goes to the men and women who figured out where he was, devised a plan, and executed it. As President, they needed his approval. He signed off on it. Does anyone really think that there is another member of congress or who wouldn’t have given the same approval? Please. He did the right thing. I’m glad he did and he should be proud of it. But, come on! As far as this latest profile in courage, he was FORCED to act by Biden’s big mouth. He and Axelrod must have been fuming mad. The fact is that he always was in favor of SSM, he just knew that the smart political thing to do was to lie about it. My point is that even if you think he made the right call on OBL and SSM, trying to paint either as some amazingly courageous thing is laughable. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/70 "2012-05-10T15:22:08Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > I don’t really understand why whenever Log Cabin Republicans come up, there always seems to be sentiment that they hate themselves or something because they’re Republican. I don’t really have a dog in this fight since I’m neither gay nor Republican (or Democrat for that matter) and I do support marriage equality, but it seems to me that it’s possible that someone could be gay and they just aren’t single issue voters on gay rights. I have met at least a few long term gay couples who just didn’t really care all that much about the issue. And there were actually Jews who supported the Nazi party, because it wasn’t \*just \*about Jews, it also got Germany back on its feet economically and employment-wise, and made it a strong, respected nation again. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/71 "2012-05-10T15:27:16Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > And there were actually Jews who supported the Nazi party, because it wasn’t \*just \*about Jews, it also got Germany back on its feet economically and employment-wise, and made it a strong, respected nation again. Und zee autobahn. Don’t forget zee autobahn! ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/72 "2012-05-10T15:34:04Z")
Fuck the Log Cabin Republicans. Enjoy your second-class citizenship while it lasts because somebody, unlike you people, is doing something to change that. You’d think being constantly barred or ignored by your own party would wake you up but apparently some people would rather live in chains than stand up for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/73 "2012-05-10T15:34:29Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > As far as OBL, he deserves a pat on the back sure. But, really, the credit goes to the men and women who figured out where he was, devised a plan, and executed it. As President, they needed his approval. He signed off on it. Does anyone really think that there is another member of congress or who wouldn’t have given the same approval? Please. He did the right thing. I’m glad he did and he should be proud of it. But, come on! Considering that several of his advisors _in the same room at the same time_ disagreed, and Donald Rumsfeld had a similar opportunity several years before but chose not too, and Jimmy Carter had to make a similar decision that ended in terrible failure (and huge political cost), I think it’s very likely that _many_ serving senators and representatives would not have made the same decision. Easy decision? When they’re not even sure that OBL was there? And a failure, with loss of American life, would almost certainly result in political defeat? I think that was a pretty tough, gutsy call. > [@](#): > > As far as this latest profile in courage, he was FORCED to act by Biden’s big mouth. He and Axelrod must have been fuming mad. Says you. It’s equally likely that Arne Duncan’s statement of support for SSM as well as Biden’s were “trial runs”, to see what the reaction would be. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/74 "2012-05-10T15:35:14Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Und zee autobahn. Don’t forget zee autobahn! Nobody expects the autobahn!! ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/75 "2012-05-10T15:37:56Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > As far as OBL, he deserves a pat on the back sure. But, really, the credit goes to the men and women who figured out where he was, devised a plan, and executed it. As President, they needed his approval. He signed off on it. Does anyone really think that there is another member of congress or who wouldn’t have given the same approval? Please. He did the right thing. I’m glad he did and he should be proud of it. But, come on! The power of hindsight is an incredible thing, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/76 "2012-05-10T15:43:42Z")
Been another day. Still no long form death certificate for OBL. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/77 "2012-05-10T15:59:51Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Does anyone really think that there is another member of congress or who wouldn’t have given the same approval? Well, unless he was lying, Romney said he would not. In response to Obama saying: > [@](#): > > If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won’t act, we will.” Romney said: > [@](#): > > “I do not concur in the words of Barack Obama in a plan to enter an ally of ours… I don’t think those kinds of comments help in this effort to draw more friends to our effort” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/78 "2012-05-10T16:00:59Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > That said I would agree that Obama’s announcement, while welcome, is politically timed (which makes it calculating) and Obama has been underwhelming in his advocacy for gay rights (witness his heel dragging on DADT). > > Late to the party is better than never but neither do I think Obama deserves hearty “atta boys” either. A polite thanks and then move on. As it was put to me earlier in the day today: > [@](#): > > Obama takes a principled stand in favor of gay marriage? Yay for Obama. > > Obama comes out in favor of gay marriage because his pollsters say it’s a political winner? Yay for America. I’m not happy it was so long in coming but either way I’ll take it as a win. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/79 "2012-05-10T16:33:44Z")
I think the Republicans deserve some back-of-the-hand credit here. Years back, when they decided that gay marriage was their ticket to ride, the pressed to have gay marriage stuff on every state ballot they could get it on. As part and parcel, they flooded the inntertubes with pictures of gay people getting married, the horror, the horror… I think it backfired. Because those people looked so normal. Because, well, they are, more or less, aren’t they? People looked at the picture and instead of seeing sodomite zombies, they saw ordinary people. “Hey, one of the frumpy middle aged ladies in this picture doesn’t look all that different from Aunt Esther. And that guy there, he looks kinda like Fred from Accounting. Hey, wait, that is Fred from Accounting!” Once Americans saw gay people as being like them, it was over. I’m pleased, of course, but not being gay, a full-fledged “happy dance” may not be appropriate. And besides, I dance like a white guy… ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430/80 "2012-05-10T16:36:33Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Obama simply told the Justice department to ensure that all the "t"s were crossed and "i"s dotted to prevent any backlash or upset. He did nothing to prevent the law from being enacted. His orders did nothing to delay the implementation date that had been set forth by law. The various commentators getting in a huff that he “delayed” the implementation are factually wrong and politically stupid. Seems to me the issue was the law was repealed and the government was still going after people for violating DADT while the timeline progressed. Then a court tells the government it has to stop doing that and the Obama administration fought that order. It would be akin to the US saying slavery is no longer legal and will be abolished but we will wait till the slave states can come up with a plan for doing it. In the meantime any slave who runs away will be punished same as always. Does that make sense to you? Seems perfectly reasonable for the administration to say it fought the case and lost and so will accept the decision of the court. Why was it necessary for them to continue to fight to impose a policy which had been repealed and was just waiting for its official end-date? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/log-cabin-republicans-trash-obamas-decision-to-support-gay-marriage/621430.md?page=5)