Obama and Prop. 8

As if there weren't enough reasons to vote for Barack Obama this campaign season as it is, what with John McCain becoming more and more erratic until he picked a nutcase as his VP, Obama has just added to the list. In response to flyers in California using his image and his statement, "I'm not in favor of gay marriage" and encouraging voters to vote yes on Prop. 8, the Obama campaign put out a statement repudiating the flyers and said specifically in one part:

"Senators Obama and Biden have made clear their commitment to fighting for equal rights for all Americans whether it's by granting LGBT Americans all the civil rights and benefits available to heterosexual couples, or repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Senator Obama has already announced that the Obama-Biden ticket opposes Proposition 8 and similar discriminatory constitutional amendments that could roll back the civil rights he and Senator Biden strongly believe should be afforded to all Americans."

For all of the statements Barack Obama has made in regard to same sex marriage that were not progressive (like the one referenced on the flyer), and for some of his less progressive moves ("99 Problems" immediately springs to mind), this is a triumph of political integrity. It would have been easy enough to leave well enough alone. Up in the polls, contemplating the possibility of the Bradley Effect, and wanting to remain cautious and ride into power on the coattails of a strong victory, it would have been easy enough for the man to leave well enough alone. It would have been easy to remain silent. It would have been easy to pander at this moment to those who are uncomfortable with the thought of homosexuals having the rights and privileges of matrimony, who truly believe that inviting more people to the party automatically means a subpar cake for the rest of America - and less of it. But he (and his camp) did not. I was proud to be voting for Obama before this. I had a terrifying dream that I had somehow forgotten that Tuesday was voting day and was sitting at home at 8:16 before recognizing that the polls had closed sixteen minutes before and that I had missed my opportunity. I woke up in a veritable panic and only managed to calm down when I realized that it was Sunday, I had two days, and that I probably wouldn't be able to get through the whole day without recognizing that voting was occurring. But this, a candidate who is not afraid to take a stand on an issue that could very well lose him votes, makes me want to vote for him all the more.

And, of course, now if he loses, it will be teh gays that did it and not teh women (she jokes).