Rendell tells Obama to 'man up' on gay marriage stand
Former PA Gov. Ed Rendell (D) tells Obama to "man up" and take a stand for gay marriage.
Rendell tells Obama to 'man up' on gay marriage stand
Thomas Fitzgerald, Inquirer Politics Writer
Pennsylvanians know that former Governor Ed Rendell (D) is not one to mince words.
On Tuesday, he bluntly told President Obama to "man up" and take a position on gay marriage.
"I think he should do exactly what Michael Steele said he should do, he should man up and say ‘this is what I believe,'" Rendell said, in response to a question from host Thomas Roberts on MSNBC.
President Obama has said he opposes legalized same sex marriage, but also has said his stand on the issue is "evolving," and that he supports equal civil rights for gay couples. Most analysts to believe that the president cannot openly support the change for fear of offending conservative Democrats and independents in swing states such as North Carolina.
In addition, polls have shown many African American voters oppose same-sex marriage. Obama needs a huge turnout of black voters if he is to reassemble his winning coalition from 2008.
An amendment banning gay marriage is expected to pass easily Tuesday in North Carolina. Earlier, Obama had canceled a planned primary day speech in Asheville, N.C. The president did travel Tuesday to Albany, N.Y., where lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo legalized same-sex marriage last year.
Obama would not be harmed politically if he came out in support of marriage equality, Rendell maintained. "I don't think he's going to lose any African American voters," the former governor said. "And the people who vote solely on this issue, a single issue voter, gay marriage, none of them are voting for Barack Obama now, and they're not going to vote for him whether he says he's against it."
Roberts said to Rendell: "Take a look at this though, because President Obama is attending a $2500 a plate LGBT fundraiser Monday in New York City. It’s hosted by Ricky Martin. There’s the invitation there, I’ve got one in my hands right here. The Washington Post is reporting today that certain LGBT donors are withholding money from the president’s campaign. Governor, I’m going to ask this of you, with some pushing to have this put on the DNC platform at the convention, how does the President walk this political tightrope?”
Well, how long can the LGBT hold out? What's the alternative for them in holding out against Obama? Where do they think they are going to get support? The Republicans?, the Tea Party? Libertarians? the religious groups? Who-- Pray, tell? Our loud-mouthed former governor is still at it and will not shut up.— Anne Arkey- Already did. Funny how their is such a concern in certain minority communities for the institution of marraige. Any stats within the last 40 yrs. show divorce, and adultry to be rampant there so why the worry about gay marraige? Big Ed Randell knows best, I only wish Obama would listen.— Boca1
- Great points by Darnell. What I dont like about Obama is that he is negative and is a contributor in dividing the country when we need someone to unite the country. Tough times which he did not create call for better leadership. Wrong man at the wrong time. He would have been good after Clinton or Reagan when the economy was good and his moves on heatlthcare and raising min wages, and solyndra, and general lack of leadership would not have mattered or even some could have been a positive in that environment. .— JL68
Comment removed.- How's it feel to be irrelevant Eddie? You still outta work?— defiore14
- Ed................please go away!— Tom Kearney
You can reach Tom Fitzgerald at 215-854-2718 or tfitzgerald@phillynews.com.
Reach Thomas at tfitzgerald@phillynews.com.
