Bill Clinton: ‘I’m basically in support’ of same-sex marriage.
Bill Clinton: ‘I’m basically in support’ of same-sex marriage.
During his presidency, Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage on the federal level as “a legal union between one man and one woman.” When he signed the bill, he issued a statement saying, “I have long opposed governmental recognition of same-gender marriages and this legislation is consistent with that position.” In May, Clinton said that his opinion on same-sex marriage was “evolving.” The Nation reports that at the recent Campus Progress National Conference, Clinton said that he now “basically” supports same-sex marriage:
Apparently, Clinton’s thinking has now further evolved. Asked if he would commit his support for same-sex marriage, Clinton responded, “I’m basically in support.”
This spring, same-sex marriage was legalized in Iowa, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire. In his most recent remarks on the subject, Clinton said, “I think all these states that do it should do it.” The former president, however, added that he does not believe that same-sex marriage is “a federal question.”
Asked if he personally supported same-sex marriage, Clinton replied, “Yeah.” “I personally support people doing what they want to do,” Clinton said. “I think it’s wrong for someone to stop someone else from doing that [same-sex marriage].”
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It’s called equal rights for all…not just who you think should be equal.
July 14th, 2009 at 4:59 pmThanks, Bill. I support marriage equality for law-abiding, consenting citizens, as well.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:01 pmClinton is not a leftist. That he supports same-sex marriage is a sign of increasing acceptance and non-controversial status within the Democrat ranks.
Too many Democrats are afraid to push on this issue. It’s good that someone of Clinton’s stature is speaking on this issue.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:01 pmThanks, Bill. It’s really nice of you to support same-sex marriage now that it doesn’t require you to actually do anything.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:03 pmDammit! I inadvertently gave evangenital a Vote Down. My apologies.
But the poiint I wanted to make was this: it’s a whole lot easier taking a stand like Bill’s when you’re out of office and don’t have to subject your ideas to the brutal bloodsport of politics.
Still, it’s good to see.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:05 pmDon’t forget this is the guy who said “It depends on what the meaning of the words ‘is’ is.”.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:09 pmEqual rights for everyone.
It’s simple. Unless you really don’t support equal rights for everyone.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:09 pmBill Clinton has one opinion and then the opposite. What a surprise.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:13 pmRalph, don’t worry. I won’t commit suicide.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:18 pmI must say that I’m disappointed that many Democratic leaders will not clearly stand up for same-sex marriage. Their hesitance on speaking clearly about their social convictions is what is making me look to the Libertarian Party more for progressive leaders. Democrats are letting the Republicans define our social debates.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:21 pm“I personally support people doing what they want to do,” Clinton said. “I think it’s wrong for someone to stop someone else from doing that [same-sex marriage].”
Sorry Bill, you’re a day late and a dollar short
July 14th, 2009 at 5:22 pmIt is refreshing to hear a politician “evolving”. Better late than never.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:27 pmBetter late than never…
It’s good to see certain national figures discard previously held cultural biases.
I hope that the congressional Democrats will get off their tookuses and run with this issue. Most of the well-educated and the young are for same-sex marriage.
The repiggies and their holy roller allies will make a lot of noise.
So f…ing what?
July 14th, 2009 at 5:35 pmGive yourself a medal, Bill. Isn’t this the same “liberal” that helped outsource millions of American manufacturing jobs to Mexico with NAFTA and to China with WTO. Thousands of good technology jobs were shipped to India, too. And don’t forget the Telecommunications Deregulation Act of 96 that gave us five right-wing pig corporations that control practically all of our television “news,” which is actually just corporate propaganda. And Clinton claimed to be a “Democrat.” Actually, he was a slightly liberal Republican. So basically, we suffered under twenty-eight years of right-wing Republican rule with Reagan, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Clinton, Bush 2, and Bush 2. And President Obama is just another lying imperial war criminal continuing the Bush criminal occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. We have occupied these two sad countries longer than the German Nazis occupied Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium and France in World War II. Heck of an occupation, imperial America…
July 14th, 2009 at 5:36 pmIf center-right pols like Clinton are finally coming around, this issue is just a matter of ‘when’, not ‘if’
July 14th, 2009 at 5:45 pmClinton is correct that same sex marriage is not a federal question. It is up to each state to determine marriage laws. There may come a time when the SCOTUS may find it is a right but the country is not that advanced to accept it.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:08 pmThis is why gays should be allowed to marry.
It should also be a general position for all social issues assuming the parties are consenting.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:08 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Stomp Out Liberalism says:
Reported for abuse.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:13 pmI think we should stompout Stupid RACISTS. Not only is Stompt a galactically stupid moron and a racist but he is too stupid to come up with his own idiocy and plagiarizes his racist BS. How pathetic he is. How embarassingly moronic.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:16 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
the great GOPsby says:
Is that how your wife got the good news? Wait rubber wives dong care and they are rolled up in the closet anyway. You are an ignorant punkass troll a putrid piece of filth and a subhuman moron.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:18 pmJust remember Timmeh is a moron and very few of his posts are worth flushing down a toilet.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:19 pmMarriage is not a federal nor a state issue. It is a personal one. The Constitution says those powers not specifically granted to the federal government are left to the states OR INDIVIDUALS. Get government out of the decision who to love.
If you can’t change your mind with new information, what’s the point of having a mind in the first place? I’m glad Clinton uses his mind. I wish all the trolls did, too.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:27 pmClinton was always a great triangulator when he was in office…but help from any source is needed in the fight.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:36 pmPoor Stompt. Dissapeared like a Chilean liberal under Pinoche
July 14th, 2009 at 6:37 pmEXACTLY PLC
July 14th, 2009 at 6:37 pmYou say evolving, I say pandering. It’s easy to be for whatever your audience wants, but the proof of Clinton’s bigotry is his signature on DOMA and DADT.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:46 pmYeah, thanks for DOMA and DADT. You should spend the rest of your time helping get those repealed so you don’t burn in hell for eternity.
July 14th, 2009 at 7:11 pmHis endorsement of same-sex marriage may portend a growing confidence among Democrats and moderate Republicans to finally address equality for same sex couples and open service for gay and lesbian soldiers. Admittedly, Clinton is less constrained by the election calculations that encumber Congress and the President when it comes to divisive social issues. Nevertheless, Clinton has always possessed a keen sense for the shifting center of American politics. I hope he’s right.
http://axisofreason.com/2009/07/14/bill-clinton-supports-same-sex-marriage/
July 14th, 2009 at 8:47 pmThat is preposterous. There isn’t any reason that gays should not enjoy the same “full faith and credit” that hetero couples are entitled to.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:55 pm“Doing what they want to do”. Doesn’t that sound like some phrase from the 60’s, “if it feels good, do it”? Gee Bill, thanks for the faint, non-comital support.
It actually isn’t about what gay people/couples “want” to “do”- it’s about having their loving relationships recognized legally, and respected, by the state and the government. Just some basic fairness.
Of course, gay people mostly supported Clinton when he was impeached for doing what HE wanted to do.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:05 pmWould have been nice if you could have implemented this while you were in OFFICE, Bill….
July 15th, 2009 at 12:11 amBut hey, at least you’re learning. Even if it IS too little too late.
DavidHart says:
Clinton is correct that same sex marriage is not a federal question. It is up to each state to determine marriage laws.
That is preposterous. There isn’t any reason that gays should not enjoy the same “full faith and credit” that hetero couples are entitled to.
Marriages and other matter touching on family law are state issues. There can be Constitutional issues that touch on these laws, but on the whole state family laws are upheld as a state matter. I agree that same sex marriages should enjoy full faith and credit which means recognition by other states. The DOMA attempts to preclude challenges with FF&C but the Constitutional issue is currently being challenged and will work its way through the federal courts. I would not expect the courts to aid same sex marriage since many of the courts are conservative or reluctant to strike down statutes. We, as a society, have not reached a tipping point where the Supreme Court could say we have a consensus about the right to same sex marriage. It may come in a few years as more states allow it.
July 15th, 2009 at 12:50 amDoes President Clinton’s “basic support” for marriage equality include his opposition to DOMA, a bill that he defended as recently as 2005?
Listen to his words carefully. His “evolving” support cannot be construed as disavowing the belief that such rights should be at the discretion of the states. His statement (”I think it’s wrong for someone to stop someone else from doing that [same-sex marriage].”) strongly suggests that he does in fact now oppose DOMA but nothing short of his call for its repeal and the codifying of same-sex marriage into federal law will make a believer of me in his enlightened and belated conversion.
July 15th, 2009 at 1:51 am