Obama's Press Secretaries and Romney (and the Others) Talk About Prop 8, With Very Different Takes. Although neither candidate supports marriage equality, today's decision of the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Perry v. Brown striking down California's Proposition 8 gave the campaign of President Obama and his most likely general election challenger, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), a chance to spar a bit on LGBT equality issues. Although White House press secretary Jay Carney initially said, "I'm not going to comment on litigation -- and particularly, as here, where we are not a party to it," at today's press briefing, he continued, "[T]he president's position on these issues, writ large, are well known.
Community Rallies After Prop. 8 Decision. WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Like many across the state charged up by news that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Proposition 8 unconstitutional, supporters stood shoulder-to-shoulder in West Hollywood's library Tuesday evening to celebrate the demise of the ballot initiative that revoked marriage equality in California in 2008.
Dustin Lance Black - Aurora. When I heard the news this morning, I considered writing my shortest speech ever: But the most important part of that short sentence is the word WE?
Who are WE? Because today was not just a victory for the gay and lesbian citizens of this country. It was a victory for LOVE and all Americans who value LOVE. Today was a victory for FAMILY and all Americans who value FAMILY. Today’s decision sends a message of hope to the young gay and lesbian people in California and BEYOND. The day after Harvey Milk won his election over 30 years ago here in California, he gave a speech saying there were two new options for gay and lesbian people, a people who for far too long have suffered under inequality, who have suffered harassment and violence at the hands of their own countrymen, and discrimination by their own government. Well today there are many more options for those young people in search of safety and hope.
Prop. 8: The Reaction Via Tweet Is Big - Aurora. Prop. 8: The Reaction Via Tweet Is Big When a California appeals court ruled that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional, Twitter unloaded a torrent of reaction from marriage equality supporters — and opponents.
Here are just a few. The court has rendered a powerful affirmation of the right of same-sex couples to marry. I applaud the wisdom and courage of this decision. — Jerry Brown (@JerryBrownGov) February 7, 2012 With our beautiful plaintiffs now. White House Has No Specific Comment on Prop 8 Ruling, Opposes Discrimination: VIDEO. Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked if the White House had any official response to today's ruling upholding the strikedown of Proposition 8.
Said Carney: “I don’t have a comment on litigation in general and in this litigation to which we are not a party.. Beyond that, I can say that the President has long opposed, as you know, divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same-sex couples.” Watch, AFTER THE JUMP... Washington Blade - America's Leading Gay News Source - Aurora. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney faced a flurry of questions Tuesday about President Obama’s evolving position on same-sex marriage and his reaction to the court decision that California’s Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.
In response to the questioning, Carney said he didn’t have a comment on the decision, although he noted the president has ”long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts that deny rights and benefits to same-sex couples.” A total of six news outlets asked Carney about marriage and the Proposition 8 decision: Reuters, the Wall Street Journal, NBC News, the Huffington Post, American Urban Radio and the Washington Blade. NOM Responds to 9th Circuit's Prop 8 Ruling, Calls It 'Absurd' The National Organization for Marriage is furious that the 9th Circuit has ruled in favor of equality.
Said NOM President Brian Brown (pictured above, at the NY marriage equality passage): NOM Condemns Ninth Circuit Ruling Finding Prop 8 Unconstitutional, Imperiling the Marriage Laws of 43 states. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2012 CONTACT: Anath Hartmann or Elizabeth Ray (703-683-5004) Group will support efforts to take the issue to the US Supreme Court WASHINGTON, D.C. — “As sweeping and wrong-headed as this decision is, it nonetheless was as predictable as the outcome of a Harlem Globetrotters exhibition game,” said Brian Brown, NOM’s president.
“We have anticipated this outcome since the moment San Francisco Judge Vaughn Walker’s first hearing in the case. Now we have the field cleared to take this issue to the US Supreme Court, where we have every confidence we will prevail.” San Francisco federal court judge Vaughn Walker ruled in 2010 that Proposition 8 violates the 14th amendment of the US Constitution. In their 2-1 split decision, the Ninth Circuit opinion [PDF] written by Judge Stephen Reinhardt, held that: Mitt Romney Blasts Prop 8 Ruling. Newt Gingrich Warns of 'Out of Control Judiciary' in Prop 8 Tweet. Santorum Bleats About Prop 8 Ruling: '7M Californians Had Their Rights Stripped Away' Santorum on the "Rogue" Prop. 8 Ruling. As he coasted to victory in three GOP presidential contests Tuesday evening, sparking fresh skepticism about the inevitability of a Romney nomination, Rick Santorum still managed to score social conservative political points by slamming the Ninth Circuit’s Tuesday ruling against Proposition 8.
Or he tried to, at least. Santorum Claims Meaningless Victories That Slow His Inevitable Defeat.