# Obama officially backs repeal of DOMA **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 19, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626 "2011-07-19T20:46:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/1 "2011-07-19T20:46:48Z")
[ > [@](#): > > President Obama is officially backing legislation that would repeal the 1996 Defense Of Marriage Act, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage even for couples married under state law. > > … > > The Respect for Marriage Act, sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), “would take the Defense of Marriage Act off the books for once and for all,” and Obama is “proud” to support it, Carney said. ]([http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/obama-officially-backs-measure-to-repeal-doma.php](http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/obama-officially-backs-measure-to-repeal-doma.php)) Hurrah! I’m really pleased with this. I don’t know what the chances are that it will pass, but still. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/2 "2011-07-19T20:58:58Z")
+1 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/3 "2011-07-19T21:04:12Z")
I’m afraid such a bill is dead on arrival in the House. Too bad. Kudos to Obama for backing it, at least. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/4 "2011-07-20T02:02:55Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I’m afraid such a bill is dead on arrival in the House. > > Too bad. Kudos to Obama for backing it, at least. Yeah, it doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hell of passing until we the Democrats control both houses and the Presidency again. That may not be for awhile. Of course it’s possible that DOMA (or at least the federal portions of it) will be struck down in court by then. I don’t see even this Supreme Court upholding it _against_ the federal government’s own arguments. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/5 "2011-07-20T02:04:56Z")
Not this time, no, but the announcement does make sense as part of a longer strategy to increase the pressure so that it \*will \*pass someday soon. If, that is, the SCOTUS Five don’t surprise us and rule DOMA unconstitutional first. It’s not at all uncommon for a progressive idea to get knocked down multiple times before it passes, and it’s the attention the idea gets during those knockdowns that make passage possible. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/6 "2011-07-20T02:55:06Z")
About damn time! Barry, go all in on this one. The conservatives hate you with the fury of a thousand supernovae, and will no matter what you do. So do the right thing and back marriage equity. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/7 "2011-07-20T13:50:19Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Yeah, it doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hell of passing until we the Democrats control both houses and the Presidency again. IOW, he waited until it had no chance of passage to suggest it. Talk is cheap, and that’s all he will give it. Back when he could really bring it about, he did squat. Gosh, how courageous. :rolleyes: He appears to think his supporters are awfully gullible. He appears to be right. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/8 "2011-07-20T14:09:11Z")
> [@Typo\_Knig](#): > > About damn time! Barry, go all in on this one. The conservatives hate you with the fury of a thousand supernovae, and will no matter what you do. So do the right thing and back marriage equity. I want that to be part of his acceptance speech after the election. “Last term I pushed for compromise and bi-partisan politics. We can all see how well that went down. Nutjobs of America, welcome to the next four years of Obama - it’s going to be what you imagined the _last_ four years were like. Enjoy your healthcare and human rights for people that aren’t you and yours, bitches.” _Drops the microphone and walks off stage_ ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/9 "2011-07-20T15:00:12Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > I don’t see even this Supreme Court upholding it _against_ the federal government’s own arguments. Because you believe the arguments are good or just because the administration is arguing against it? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/10 "2011-07-20T15:14:13Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > IOW, he waited until it had no chance of passage to suggest it. Talk is cheap, and that’s all he will give it. Back when he could really bring it about, he did squat. Gosh, how courageous. :rolleyes: It wouldn’t have happened when the Democrats controlled Congress either - a smaller number of Democrats would have supported it, and that’s assuming the Republicans would have allowed it to come to a vote at all. Things have progressed in the last few years. I agree it’s not going to happen right now, but he’s moving things in the right direction. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/11 "2011-07-20T15:21:14Z")
> [@Double\_Foolscap](#): > > I want that to be part of his acceptance speech after the election. “Last term I pushed for compromise and bi-partisan politics. We can all see how well that went down. Nutjobs of America, welcome to the next four years of Obama - it’s going to be what you imagined the _last_ four years were like. Enjoy your healthcare and human rights for people that aren’t you and yours, bitches.” > > _Drops the microphone and walks off stage_ You left out the part about kicking down a door on the way. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/12 "2011-07-20T15:23:41Z")
I think you miss \*\*Shodan’s \*\*point, **Marley**. You see, this is something that Obama is doing, ergo, it is bad. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/13 "2011-07-20T15:30:45Z")
No, my point is that Obama is not doing this on principle. He is trying to shore up his support on the hard left, because he can blame it on the GOP when nothing happens. You all fell for it, obviously - that’s all he wanted. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/14 "2011-07-20T15:33:14Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, my point is that Obama is not doing this on principle. Nobody said he was. Over the last 2 1/2 years you may have noticed just a few threads where people said they were frustrated with Obama on these issues. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/15 "2011-07-20T16:13:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, my point is that Obama is not doing this on principle. He is trying to shore up his support on the hard left, because he can blame it on the GOP when nothing happens. Well, that certainly makes me want to vote for a Republican. Oh, wait… ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/16 "2011-07-20T16:34:41Z")
The really crazy thing is that the same people who pushed for the original act (I refuse to call it “defense of marriage”) were also the ones pushing for federal policies which did in fact recognize same-sex marriage. For instance, under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, a same-sex marriage was one of the things which was recognized as “telling”. OK, that’s not the kind of recognition the folks getting married wanted, but it _is_ recognition. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/17 "2011-07-20T16:53:12Z")
> [@Double\_Foolscap](#): > > I want that to be part of his acceptance speech after the election. “Last term I pushed for compromise and bi-partisan politics. We can all see how well that went down. Nutjobs of America, welcome to the next four years of Obama - it’s going to be what you imagined the _last_ four years were like. Enjoy your healthcare and human rights for people that aren’t you and yours, bitches.” > > _Drops the microphone and walks off stage_ Reminds me of [Black Bush from Chappelle’s Show](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlwk8rh425Y). Except, you know, opposite. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/18 "2011-07-20T17:36:45Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, my point is that Obama is not doing this on principle. He is trying to shore up his support on the hard left, because he can blame it on the GOP when nothing happens. > > You all fell for it, obviously - that’s all he wanted. > > Regards, > Shodan Obviously this makes no sense. There are no alternatives for Obama on the hard left, so that is the last constituency he needs to appeal to at the moment. He doesn’t have a primary. If anything, Obama is giving the freshmen on the right some easy red meat to vote against so their own constituents don’t notice that they compromised on the debt ceiling increase. Very obliging, really. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/19 "2011-07-20T17:41:10Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > There are no alternatives for Obama on the hard left, so that is the last constituency he needs to appeal to at the moment. Plenty of people on the far left are not necessarily satisfied with him, and he does need their votes and their enthusiasm. That’s particularly true of the gay rights movement. > [@](#): > > He doesn’t have a primary. He’s not likely to get a serious primary challenge, but that doesn’t mean he does not need to engage these voters. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626/20 "2011-07-20T17:57:24Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Plenty of people on the far left are not necessarily satisfied with him, and he does need their votes and their enthusiasm. That’s particularly true of the gay rights movement. > > He’s not likely to get a serious primary challenge, but that doesn’t mean he does not need to engage these voters. Indeed. I worked for months for the Obama campaign, but I never expected that he would accomplish, or even attempt, everything he promised in his first term. He needs dedicated volunteers at every level to get re-elected. We on the Left have to remember just how much he accomplished. [Here’s a video that enumerates his accomplishments as of a year ago.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXu-CB1XbO4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-officially-backs-repeal-of-doma/589626.md?page=2)