Obama seems to be sending mixed signals.
I've included snippets of an article below, for a little background. Link to full article:
Obama administration appeals gay marriage ruling | Reuters
Quote:
The Obama administration filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in support of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, that barred gay marriages, even though Obama had previously opposed the law.
Although Obama opposes the law, a Justice Department spokeswoman said that the administration was defending the statute because it was obligated to defend federal laws when challenged in court...
The rulings being appealed by the government were made in July by U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro in Boston who found the law violated the U.S. Constitution's 10th Amendment, which protects states' rights, and the clause granting equal protection under the law.
Under his rulings, same-sex couples would be entitled to the same federal spousal benefits and protections that are afforded to heterosexual married couples.
One of the challenges was brought by the state of Massachusetts and the other by several couples, including an employee of the U.S. Postal Service, Nancy Gill, who could not obtain coverage for her wife, Marcelle Letourneau, on her family health and vision plans...
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Here he had an opportunity to make a real change, but didn't for the sake of "tradition" - he didn't want to speak up against an established federal law. Just because it's not common for presidents to do this, doesn't mean that he needs to follow along with the majority - does it?
Perhaps some of you understand the situation better than I do - I hope you'll take a moment to explain why he made this decision.