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WASHINGTON - After years of "evolving" on the issue, PresidentBarack Obama said on Wednesday he believes same-sex couples shouldbe allowed to marry, a stance that is likely to please hispolitical base and complicate efforts to attract some independentvoters. "It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I thinksame-sex couples should be able to get married," Obama said in aninterview with ABC's Robin Roberts. Obama's comments marked the first time a US president had publiclyexpressed support for gay marriage, and his position was hailed byDemocrats, gay rights groups and others as a benchmark for civilrights in the United States. "This is a major turning point in the history of American civilrights" said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent whosecity is in one of six states that allow same-sex marriage. Neera Tanden from the Center for American Progress described thepresident's expression of support as "another large step towardrealizing this country's promise of equality." Others, including Republican activists and conservative Christianleaders, criticized Obama's stance and called it a huge politicalrisk on a divisive issue. Some said it could lead independent voters who oppose gay marriageto support Mitt Romney, Obama's likely Republican opponent in theNovember 6 election. Noting that 29 states have approved bans onsame-sex marriage, they said Obama's announcement also could helpRomney consolidate support among evangelical Christians who, likeRomney, oppose gay marriage. "Today's announcement ensures that marriage will again be a majorissue in the presidential election," said Tony Perkins, a prominentevangelical leader and president of the Family Research Council, aconservative Christian group. "The president has provided a clearcontrast between him and .. Mitt Romney." Added Ralph Reed of the Faith and Freedom Coalition: "This is anunanticipated gift to the Romney campaign. It is certain to fuel arecord turnout of voters of faith to the polls this November." Romney, campaigning in Oklahoma City, said he believes "marriage isa relationship between a man and a woman." He has said he supportshospital visitation rights and other domestic partnership benefitsfor gay and lesbian couples. Analysts saw Obama's move as a calculated risk at a time when pollsindicated that an increasing number of Americans support legallyrecognizing gay marriages. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll said that more than 39 percent ofAmericans believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marrylegally. Another 23.5 percent said that such couples should beallowed to form civil unions but not marry, while nearly 27 percentopposed marriage or civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. "It is not without political risk," Democratic strategist JulianEpstein said on MSNBC. "Polls show that nearly every segment of thepopulation" is moving toward acceptance of gay marriage, but"Republicans certainly will try to use it as a wedge in the AfricanAmerican community and with non-college educated white voters," keyvoting blocs in which many people oppose gay marriage. I am an expert from corrugatedcartonmachines.com, while we provides the quality product, such as China Cardboard Boxes Machinery , Creasing And Die-Cutting Machine, Cardboard Packing Machine,and more.
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