Obama Administration's Shift on DoMA

[Elok]

This is a cynical political move on the part of Obama. All he's doing is stirring the pot to whip up the left at a time when his party is in the dumper. Gay rights will not benefit from this.

I've never tried stirring a pot with a whip. It sounds difficult. Probably not good for the whip either.

[DaShi]

Bush in notorious for "signing statements" - declarations of intent to enforce or not enforce specific provisions within a bill. But Congress could always start impeachment proceedings I suppose...

Oh and how DD whinged about those. That's all he would talk about for the 8 years of the Bush administration.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Look at our immgration policy. There are lot of complaints that administrations haven't enforced the laws on the books.

Beat me to the example. The point is the check on blatent executive inaction is the legislative power of the purse (to threaten issues near and dear to the executive) and ultimately impeachment proceedings if in direct conflict of stated legislative intent.

That being said the meanderings Obama has taken on this issue boggle the mind.

Which way is the wind blowing these days?

[Elok]

"Very well. If that is the way the political winds are blowing, let no one say that I do not blow!"

[DaShi]

Overall, it's a good move by Obama. The right's main complaint is that the conservative spin machine is too busy trying to sell how kicking people out of their jobs is now good for the economy to also take on this issue.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Or maybe just for chucks and giggles, imagine it might be that its not a hot button issue for the majority of GOP.

[DaShi]

No, just a common campaign platform.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Wow how prescient of you to know the campaign platform of the 2012 contenders, none of yet to be announced.

Latest NH polling indicates gay marriage barely registers as an issue for GOP voters and hasn't for Nationwide polling including the last voting cycle/exit polls.

[DaShi]

Yup, politicians only talk about issues in polls and don't try to drum up support for other issues in hope to either distinguish themselves or divide the electorate. In fact, the GOP especially doesn't radically switch platforms to rile people up about something they supported in the past, like deficit spending.

[DaShi]

Oh Ogie, I find your cluelessness absolutely charming.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Yup, politicians only talk about issues in polls and don't try to drum up support for other issues in hope to either distinguish themselves or divide the electorate. In fact, the GOP especially doesn't radically switch platforms to rile people up about something they supported in the past, like deficit spending.

Given the trend line continues to advance support for gay marriage why would anyone take an adversarial stance? No hint that the trend will reverse itself. Hence no one cares and no one is going to hoist themselves on that petard. Its a loser issue.

Loser and **** especially appropo considering whom I am addressing.

[DaShi]

Didn't stop McCain from running on it. It's been a core issue for the GOP for sometime.

Oh, and because you stupid:

But the public remains evenly divided on same-sex marriage.

Yup, a loser issue that barely registers. No controversy there.

Seriously, do you post here just to make a fool of yourself, or do your realy believe the crap that you spew?

[Agent Sox]

This is another example of the executive claiming more power for itself. It's kind of funny except that the real power behind the "throne" doesn't care about checks and balances and all that stuff.

[DaShi]

You mean, the secret president?

[DaShi]

I do agree with Ogie that it is a loser issue for the GOP, which again is also why Obama is making a smart move bringing this up.