James Kirchik points out that over the weekend Barack Obama sent a letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club that states: “I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states.” Kirchik notes that this is a departure from the position of John Kerry, and indeed Obama stakes out positions in this letter that make him the most pro-gay rights presidential candidate in history. In addition to opposing the efforts of the people of California to overturn judicially imposed same-sex marriage, Obama wants to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. Repealing the law would, in all likelihood, force other states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in California. Obama also writes that he wants to repeal the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. I wonder if that issue won’t be a much bigger problem for him in November than his very progressive position on marriage. But perhaps we should give Obama credit for openly supporting the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. This is a refreshing contrast to Obama’s saying that he opposes same-sex marriage, while supporting judges who impose it. UPDATE: Pete Wehner has an interesting post on “Obama’s Divisive Unity”.
