So in the last few days both Joe Biden and President Obama have come out (tee hee) in favor of same-sex marriage.
Will this have an effect on the national dialog on the issue? Will it affect the election in November?
It’ll be encouraging to his donors and supporters, which does affect the election. The final outcome of this debate was determined quite a while ago because younger people are so much more supportive of gay rights, but with luck this does move things forward a bit regardless of how much pushing it took for Obama to get there.
I’d like to thank Joe Biden for putting Obama in a position where he is forced to publicly state this.
Thanks, Joe.
This is terrific news. Any bets on how Romney reacts?
I’m very impressed.
I don’t think it will have a major effect on the election, as I don’t see it being a vertical issue on which most folks will base their vote on, but it should have some positive effect on some liberals who are seemingly disheartened that Obama hasn’t been all they thought he should be (I’m sure that there will be some lefty grumbling that Obama hasn’t done enough anyway, or that this is all a ruse to reinvigorate the base or something). I still think the election will hinge on the economy and what’s happening on the core economic and employment issues during the final stretch, but I don’t see this hurting Obama in any way by, er, coming out so to speak. 
As for the national dialogue I’d say that it will again be a positive thing.
On a personal note, I’m really really glad he did it, but I’m not surprised. I think he really was weighing the issues and thinking about how he really feels about it wrt his own religious beliefs, as well as the political ramifications and impacts it might have, but in the end I think he made the right call and saw the unfairness and decided that now was the time to take a firm stand.
-XT
Yay! This just makes me happy. I think this will also build enthusiasm with young voters, which Obama is going to need this November.
I think I’ll send Obama (for America) my thank you in cash.
The same.
My detailed, great debates-style analysis of this?
Fuck yeah!
I’m going to see him tomorrow in Seattle and will thank him. I agree, not a big issue for the election, I think most people generally thought he was quietly holding this view before now, so whichever side of the issue you’re on, not a big change. But, it is important for him to finally say it out loud.
What’s the advantage of saying it now rather than after the election?
Sure, go on record as being in favor of gay marriage because it’s the right decision and because he must want to be known as the first president to be in favor of gay marriage. But saying it before the election seems to have only downsides and no upsides.
Disagree that there is no upside (or that there will be significant downside). .
Look at what readers are saying at Andrew Sullivan’s blog:
Bold mine. Then put me in the camp that doesn’t think he held this view, but rather, agrees for one that:
I think that it’s very likely he held the same view as a majority of African-Americans, and personally was troubled by same sex marriage. Trying to not be cynical, but it think it’s very possibly that his “reveleation” was forced.
Still the end result is the same; it’s a good outcome.
How is this even bet material ? Obama’s for it. Romney must be against it to secure them votes.
Thanks to the Tea Party, Obama could sponsor a cure for cancer linked with infinitely renewable costless eneregy, and the GOP would still vote against. Because free energy is socialism and cancer is the Will of God.
I do admit that the type of republicans who hang out at a gay, anti-war on drugs Briton’s blog could be swayed.
It’s the swing voters in swing states who matter most. I don’t think most of them look kindly on gay marriage.
I applaud him doing this. I think part of the reasoning is to sucker righties into making some vile statements. Let the fun begin
Romney could try to one up him and come out in favor of mandatory same sex marriage.
eta: But seriously, good for Obama - I’m glad to see him do this, although I would have preferred he did so before the vote here in NC and even campaigned a little, but c’est la vie.
So Biden’s statement wasn’t a “gaffe,” after all, eh?
This is good news indeed.
But my question is: Does this really mean anything legislative wise?
I for one am SHOCKED! Just shocked!