First off, I'm no friend of McCain. I think about the only way that McCain will earn my vote is by choosing Romney as a running mate.
That said, I'm entirely undecided about who I will vote for. Despite his deficiencies I have been entertaining the idea of Obama, but the more I hear from him the less I'm convinced he's any different. (An additional caveat, living in California it likely doesn't matter which presidential candidate I vote for....)
Obama's comments yesterday on gay marriage bother me. The concept of gay marriage doesn't bother me, as I really don't see it as anything that concerns me. What does concern me is Obama's attitude towards it.
My understanding from the news yesterday was mostly gleaned from watching CNN and news articles such as this one. (Again, hardly an endorsement of the Chronicle, but it turned up the quotes I was looking for.)
Here is what bothered me:
(1) Obama claims to be opposed to gay marriage as a Christian. A viewpoint I am unconcerned with, and feel him entitled to his view.
(2) In response to the California Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage in California, Obama expressed support, indicating he believed states should be free to decide the issue for themselves. A states' rights position that I greatly agree with.
(3) However, in response to the efforts of some Californians to amend the state constitution to prohibit gay marriage, Obama apparently expressed his disgust.
So from what I can piece together of his viewpoint, he is personally and religiously opposed to gay marriage and supports only marriage between a man and a woman, he further believes that states should decide the issue for themselves, but apparently he believes states should only decide the issue in the manner he believes is correct, which is that gay marriage should be permitted.
I know there aren't many Obama supporters around here, but I've been trying to give the guy a chance. Since Obama, Clinton and McCain seem to be the best that the two parties can come up with, I'm glad I withdrew to independent status and think maybe it is time to seriously consider third party candidates.
To bring this slightly more gun related, I am not too concerned with Obama instituting a 2008 AWB. I hope the Heller decision will yield incorporation in the near future but think it and his (re-)election ambitions will keep him and other democrats from such legislation in the near future.
That said, I'm entirely undecided about who I will vote for. Despite his deficiencies I have been entertaining the idea of Obama, but the more I hear from him the less I'm convinced he's any different. (An additional caveat, living in California it likely doesn't matter which presidential candidate I vote for....)
Obama's comments yesterday on gay marriage bother me. The concept of gay marriage doesn't bother me, as I really don't see it as anything that concerns me. What does concern me is Obama's attitude towards it.
My understanding from the news yesterday was mostly gleaned from watching CNN and news articles such as this one. (Again, hardly an endorsement of the Chronicle, but it turned up the quotes I was looking for.)
Here is what bothered me:
(1) Obama claims to be opposed to gay marriage as a Christian. A viewpoint I am unconcerned with, and feel him entitled to his view.
The Illinois senator has said repeatedly that he believes marriage should be only between man and a woman.
(2) In response to the California Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage in California, Obama expressed support, indicating he believed states should be free to decide the issue for themselves. A states' rights position that I greatly agree with.
Obama released a carefully nuanced statement saying he respected the court's decision, believed states should make their own decisions on marriage and "will continue to fight for civil unions as president."
(3) However, in response to the efforts of some Californians to amend the state constitution to prohibit gay marriage, Obama apparently expressed his disgust.
the presumptive presidential nominee said he opposed "the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution" and similar efforts in other states.
So from what I can piece together of his viewpoint, he is personally and religiously opposed to gay marriage and supports only marriage between a man and a woman, he further believes that states should decide the issue for themselves, but apparently he believes states should only decide the issue in the manner he believes is correct, which is that gay marriage should be permitted.
I know there aren't many Obama supporters around here, but I've been trying to give the guy a chance. Since Obama, Clinton and McCain seem to be the best that the two parties can come up with, I'm glad I withdrew to independent status and think maybe it is time to seriously consider third party candidates.
To bring this slightly more gun related, I am not too concerned with Obama instituting a 2008 AWB. I hope the Heller decision will yield incorporation in the near future but think it and his (re-)election ambitions will keep him and other democrats from such legislation in the near future.