JOSHUAHURWITZ on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 1:03:59 PM
i don't think that president Obama's endosement of gay marriage will ahve a huge impact due to the fact that he isn't doing anything to enforce it, or creating any laws making it equal. it may have an impact socially because of his power in pursuasion due to his legal position, but nothing legislatively will coem from this other than some people's opinions changing. The author is correct when stating that, they wont call it... a case of bold political leadership(1). because if Obama does nothing about his opinion the laws wont change regarding this issue.
ROBERTLOWERY on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 11:25:59 AM
Sure, I agree with the author Matt Bai that Obama coming straight out and saying what he believes in the gay marriage issue was bold and borderline risky. But really, what is this going to do? Nothing. At all. An open promise by him regarding this issue, and hopefully fixing it, does little to help the movement, but rather can help Obama much more. Now many Pro gay marriage supporters will probably support Obama in this coming election, blindly following him hoping that he makes true to his promise that he didn’t really even make. Going along with the author of the article, Obama didn’t “accompany his change of heart with any kind of action plan involving executive orders or legislative steps” (2). To really seem bold and groundbreaking, Obama should have followed in the footsteps of JFL and LBJ and actually do something about the issue, not just talk about it.
KEVINBLANK on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 2:25:54 PM
I think that President Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage will not have a large impact on the country, socially or legislatively. Granted, people who support Obama would be more likely to be effected then those who already disagree with Obama. However, people's beliefs come from more personal experience and emotions, and without any reasoning to back up his statement, it's less likely to change people's views. Matt Bai says Obama didn't take any political risks, nor did Mr. Obama accompany his change of heart with any kind of action plan involving... legislative steps (2). Without taking some risks and setting a plan to support his opinion, the issue is left in the hands of state government, and there is no legislative impact on the entire country.
STEPHENCHERN on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 5:58:48 PM
In my opinion, President Obama's endorsement of gay marriage won't dramatically impact America socially nor legislatively; although he has promoted gay marriage, there are no signs of any actions by Obama to support his claim, thus, the actions speak louder than words statement isn't happening. The opinions of people may change somewhat, but essentially, the words Obama spoke are empty; however, if the president had vowed to pass a federal law banning discrimination and then sent in troops to make sure that gay couples could marry on every town green in North Carolina (2), then there may possibly be a social and legislative impact, similar to JFK and LBJ during their presidencies. Also, according to Matt Bai, [Obama] seemed bullied into a pronouncement by his own vice president and a few of his cabinet members (2), meaning Obama may not even be pro-gay marriage at all, but rather was coaxed into saying it because of Vice President Bidon and the few others. Thus, Bai is correct about his analysis on the president's weak stance, and there is no impact socially nor legislatively as a result thus far.
ERINSANDRIDGE on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 7:01:56 PM
Don't ask, don't tell policy was put in place for the mititary and it meant that if you were gay if you weren't asked, you wouldn't tell. However this act was repealed in late 2010 by Obama. I believe that Obama has his own opinion on the subject and he is not using it for advancing his political platform. Therefore I think that the endorsement will have a significant impact on the country socially because more people will be able to associate with obama's views. However, i do not think it will make a big impact politically because he is not good at turning his view points into actions. Nor did Mr. Obama accompany his change of heart with any kind of action plan involving executive orders or legislative steps (Bai). Obama should be more active when putting his policies to use in order to make a difference because his endorsement of gay marridge could have a big effect on America socially.
KOLLYNCRENSHAW on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 7:17:33 PM
President Obama's endorsement of gay marriage will make an impact socially. Obama is the first president to support this so this may bring up conflicts with people. Though it may cost him votes in the election, i think this has made him gain votes from homosexuals, and lose votes from those who are against gay marriage. This will impact our society because this will cause homosexuals to become happy with him but others to be disappointed.
BRENDANJACKSON on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 8:05:13 PM
I think that President Obama's endorsement on same-sex marriage will cause little change across the nation unless he takes major steps himself. I say that because although he did openly state what side he is on about the situation, he hasn't really taken any major actions to make any change about the situation. If he continues to take little to no action, the biggest impact that will happen is that Obama may receive an increase in the amount of homosexual votes and a decrease in votes from ani- homosexuals.
ZACHARYFINK on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 8:45:44 PM
I think that President Obama's endorsement on gay marriage will not change society that much. Although I do believe that we will get more votes from pro gay marriage supporters, but on the other hand he might get less votes from those who dislike the idea of same-sex marriage. Also I agree with Bai when he said that nothing is really going happen from this since he is not enforcing or creating any laws to promote same-sex marriage.
HYLALANDER on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 9:02:11 PM
People say that actions speak louder then words but President Obama might be thinking differently. However, I don't think President Obama's endorsement on gay marriage will make a significant impact in America both socially and legislatively. President Obama can say all he wants but without an action to follow his words, nothing will take place. Like Harry S. Truman, he desegregated the armed forces at a time when much of the country couldn't conceive of racial mingling(1). Even though it wasn't the best time for Truman to do so, he took a stance on what he believed was right and made an impact instead of just saying how he felt. If President Obama continues speak instead of act, America will never change. On the other hand, if President Obama does take a stance, he could 1) get double the amount of supporters and 2) make a change in the nation.
GABRIELBROIDA on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 9:41:57 PM
I think that President Obama's endorsement on same-sex will only cause a little change in society unless he [Obama] is willing take a major leap and follow through with what he is standing up for. I do believe this will cause a major change in the governmental issues of how things get passed (laws) or even future elections, 'cause the majority of those in favor of same-sex marriages will votes for or have more in the say how the laws would be placed in for the pro-same-sex supports. Although there is a back draw with those against same-sex marriage, could potentially, and depending on their supporters, knock out any law that is passed for gay marriage. All this could happen if Obama follows through to back up what he wants to put in place which Bai states; Mr. Obama does not appear to have reached some Johnsonian moment of moral clarity in which he decided the time had come to take a stand, whatever the consequences(The Caucus 1).
LILYRICHMAN on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 10:10:52 PM
President Obama states his approval for the allowance of same-sex marriage in The New York Times article. When reading the responses to this article, many people seemed pleased with his stance. The people who used facts from the article and accurate information to back up their beliefs made their points much stronger. The few people who disagreed with Obama’s stance gave a personal opinion for their objection rather than facts and statistics. Supporting one’s beliefs with strong evidence and information makes the argument much better. In my opinion, people of the same sex should have the right to be married. I am very pleased with President Obama’s stance on the issue. I strongly hope though, along with the many other people who commented stating so, that he will take action to enforce laws to implement this right. Without any action being taken, his opinion is useless. I believe all people should have the right to be happy, and hope that measures will be taken in order for that to happen. I believe his stance will have a big impact on society, as it will anger and please many people, and add heat to an already controversial topic.
RACHELZEAMAN on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 10:19:20 PM
I think President Obama's endorsement on same-sex marriage will have a large impact on the country if he actually goes through with his words and turns them into actions. I think his position shocked the country and therefore he will have different opinions from each side of the situation. Obama did take a big risk and he should know he will probably lose votes from people who are against same-sex marriage and he will probably win votes from people who are pro same-sex marriage. Although, I don't think the country will have major reactions if he doesn't follow through with what he is saying. Just like Bai says in the article, ...Mr. Obama's change of heart on same-sex marriage seems significant but not exactly vaild (1). I agree with Bai, Obama should take more action when trying to enforce his position towards the country in order for it to make a big impact socially.
ALEXISSHOBE on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 10:46:22 PM
President Obama stated that he was going to allow gay marriage to be legal, yet he hasn't made any intentional actions to allow gay marriage to be legal. Bai mentions in his article many leaders from the past whose actions helped change issues in the world; one leader being Harry S. Truman and how he desegregated the armed forces at a time when most of the country couldn't conceive of racial mingling (Bai). Racism was such a huge ordeal in the time when Truman desegregated the armed forces. How did he desegregate the armed forces? By action. Actions have reactions and by Truman's action, the armed forces were actually desegregated. If Obama acted towards making gay marriage legal, then it would have a better chance of actually becoming legal. I personally have a very wide variety of friends and I personally think that anyone should be allowed to marry who they're in love with. With celebrities, so many couples have gotten married and gotten divorced within a couple of weeks but a gay couple who has been together for years isn't allowed to get married and that's not fair. If this went through successfully then I believe it would have a great impact on society and possibly impact legislatively also.
KIMBERLYKRAMER on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 7:46:02 AM
I think that Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage will impact our society in the sense that a highly authoritative political figure is stepping up on his stance on those rights, but I also think that it won’t impact our society in the sense that if he isn’t going to take action upon his opinion and do something, then all his opinion will be is an opinion. Having such authority, there is so much that Obama could do when it comes to legalizing gay marriage and giving gays the rights that they surely deserve, but if he does nothing, then really all everyone is getting is an empty promise that he will do something when he won’t. I think that Obama needs to take a step back and consider his decision more closely.
CARMENBOOKER on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 7:47:11 AM
I think that President Obama's endorsement of gay marriage will have a huge impact on the country socially and legislatively. I believe this because if he can easily change his heart about this issue, then he can be very easily persuaded to change his heart on the major issues of this country. President Obama cares for only the business of the country how he presents himself: No president has ever been quite so reliant on contributions from gay donors or so publicly courted them. (Bai). If the President doesn't accecept gay marriage, then he will lose all his gay donors. So I believe the President is only supporting it for his contributions from gay donors.
DONNELLROWELL on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 10:56:34 AM
President Obama's desicsion to support gay marriages will affect the U.S. in a social way. Since he supports it he will lose votes because of the poeple who dont support that but he will also be gaining votes for the people who do. Also, i think when he gives his reasoning why he supports it, states will have a diferent view on the issue and potentially make it legal in their states. I believe that the president is only making these choice in order to get votes to win his re-election.
COREYBEREBITSKY on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 8:27:25 PM
President Obama's support towards gay marriage will effect the U.S. in a socially. In the article Obama's stance is significant if not bold leadership by Matt Bai, Bai mentions that [historians will] look back 50 years from now ... [Obama's] declaration on same-sex marriage as righteous. I agree that this is a historic event and will help push towards more social support if gay marriage. Obama demonstrated enlightened Ideas of tolerance when he repealed the don't ask don't tell clause in the military. It will only go so far as a social movement due to the separate opinions on this issue.
EMILYJONES on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 9:34:45 AM
President Obama's support of gay marridge as disscussed in Obama’s Stance Is Significant, if Not Bold Leadership will not make any significent changes in the United States socially or legislativly unless he acts in his endorsment with bills and speeches. His endorsment alone will not create change because the socail movement has already made great progress and the congress will not take a direct legislative initative without direct exectutive pressure. This is similarly related to the the civil rights movement. The socail movemenrt had gained great power but congess would not act without JFK and LBJ's direct executive pressure. This pressure then forced change in the country and caused a revolutionary socitey with eqaulity for everyone. This realization hopefully will be brought forth if Obama makes the great strides towards equality like JFK and LBJ did.
MAXWELLPIPKIN on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 12:09:15 PM
I think obamas excpetance of same sex marriage is not significant, he made no action to support his opinion. All obama did was make a speech but what about his intiative LBJ he pushed for civil rights propsed new laws and bills. In the article Obama;s stance is significant if not bold leadership Matt Bai, mentions When they look back 50 years from now, historians may well describe President Obama’s declaration on same-sex marriage as righteous or inspiring ... yet all he did was nothing but say he supported there nothing to make it significant as many say actions speak louder than words.
MITCHELLHELLER on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 5:04:23 PM
I do not believe Obama's speech will have a large impact in our country. However, he will receive increased support from gays and others that have handicapps. It shows that Obama accepts his people no matter if they are not of the ordinary. A comparision in history is when Eisenhower combined the army with both blacks and whites. Although the impact was not gigantic, he gained the support of a minority group as the African-Americans took a step forward in their civil rights movement. Obama's speech on same sex marriage will be a step forward for gays, as it may lead to more states allowing rights of marriage for gays.
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