Obama’s gay revolt
Will extending same-sex partner rights to federal employees make up for Obama’s inaction on gay issues?
America in 2009 is broadly supportive of gay rights, so why is President Obama “living in 1993”? said John Aravosis in AMERICAblog. After ignoring all eight of his campaign pledges to the gay community, Obama is now going to extend some same-sex partner benefits to gay federal employees. “That’s sweet,” but also “awfully convenient” just as wealthy gay donors are starting to close their wallets. Gay people are too "pissed off” for “cute photo ops.”
The gay community has ample reason to be upset, said the Los Angeles Times in an editorial, as Obama’s Justice Department defends the “odious” Defense of Marriage Act and Obama shows a “curiously passive” attitude toward ending “don’t ask, don’t tell” and other gay-rights priorities. But Obama could be right that a “hasty march” toward gay rights could actually set the movement back by years.
Or maybe he just doesn’t care too much about the gay community’s “bitter disappointment” in him, said James Richardson in RedState. Sure, being “to the ideological right of former Vice President Dick Cheney” on his issue can’t be comfortable for Obama, but while the gay “pocketbook rebellion” will sting, the small number of gays—unlike Latinos and evangelicals, say—makes them a pretty “insignificant” political “identity group.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Why ghost guns are so easy to make — and so dangerous
The Explainer Untraceable, DIY firearms are a growing public health and safety hazard
By David Faris Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published