Friday, August 13, 2010

The cognitive dissonance of the "Fierce Advocate"

Kerry Eldveld continues to be one of the best reporters on GLBT issues.
“The president does oppose same-sex marriage but he supports equality for gay and lesbian couples in benefits and other issues,” David Axelrod assured Savannah Guthrie and Chuck Todd on MSNBC the morning after Proposition 8 was overturned. “He supports civil unions and that's been his position throughout, so nothing has changed.”
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And for the Obama administration, the inconsistencies abound and only stand to grow with time. Let’s remember that Axelrod said the president “opposes” marriage equality, which is actually one step further than just reminding people that he supports civil unions.

Here’s a sampling of their dilemma: Explain how the President denounces Proposition 8 but doesn’t favor the marriages that would be allowed if it were overturned; why he believes DOMA should be repealed and supports full federal benefits for same-sex couples but he doesn't support the marriages that will afford that type of federal recognition.

And then there’s the idea that the president continues to “promote equality for LGBT Americans” even as he opposes same-sex marriage and supports a separate-but-unequal alternative.

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