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Commentary

After Obama's "gay marriage" announcement -- will the GOP start to cave in?

POSTED: May 15, 2012

Probably the worst kept "culture wars" secret was Barack Obama's personal support for "gay marriage."

No one who's observed Obama's ultra-pro-homosexual actions throughout his political career, and especially recently, should have had any doubt about his true feelings regarding "gay marriage." His positions as an Illinois state senator; his tireless efforts to fight the "Defense of Marriage" law; his radical foreign service and State Department moves; the push for repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" followed by the frightening transformation of the US military; his LGBT health conferences; his constant mantra of "equality"; and of course his endless parade of vocal, radical pro-gay marriage appointees, could not possibly lead to any other conclusion.

Although Obama's "official" position since he ran for US Senator had been that he does not support it, any serious observer knew that was basically phony, in order not to seem too radical to the voters on such a controversial issue. (He had in fact publicly supported "gay marriage" when he first ran for the IL State Senate in 1996.)

So when he announced his "support" for it on Wednesday, his explanation on his "evolution" on the issue (discussions with his wife and kids, studying Bible passages, etc.) was -- or should have been -- seen as just as dishonest. More curious was his timing: a few days following the strange Joe Biden and Arne Duncan trial balloons, but immediately after the huge North Carolina "gay marriage" defeat.

So the initial reaction that most of had was "Why now?" But that's a question for the political pundits to figure out. The more pressing question is: What happens next?

Will the GOP start to cave in on the issue?

Obama's announcement could have its biggest effect on the Republican Party, starting with the already squishy GOP establishment.

Our fear is that Obama's official embrace of "gay marriage" will now cause the (already RINO) Republican establishment to begin to cave in on the issue. Their current pro-gay positions (or unwillingness to confront the liberals) on government appointments (including federal judges), the military, and social policy have already alienated much of the rank and file. And their condescending attitude toward "social" conservatives is also beginning to mirror the Left. Even Ron Paul enthusiastically voted to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (a move Mitt Romney had supported for years).

But up until now almost nobody in the GOP was willing to be "officially" positioned to the left of Obama on actual "gay marriage." Well, that barrier is now gone.

The time is ripe for the "Barney Frank wing" of the Republican Party to start pushing. Look for the Log Cabin Republicans and their allies soon to go into high gear -- and use the propaganda of the left -- to make "gay marriage" a "safe" position for establishment Republicans. And watch for more high-profile "gay Republicans" to start to appear and strategically work to move the Party to accept this.

Adding fuel to that is the fact that many Republicans (including Mitt Romney) have already undermined their common mantra for traditional marriage ("Every child needs a mother and father") by supporting adoptions by homosexuals. And they've called for openings in "marriage protection" measures for states to grant civil unions, which are basically identical to marriage.

The perfect election year for tossing conservative principles

In this election year there is no downside or political risk from conservatives if the GOP openly supports the homosexual agenda, because conservatives know they're trapped. Four more years of Obama terrifies everyone. Now that Santorum and Gingrich are out, pro-family GOP voters have no leverage at all.

Everyone's now being told, "If you don't support Republicans, you'll surely get four more years of Obama -- the worst president in history." So do what you're told and shut up.

What can you do?

The GOP would prefer that you talk about other things. But don't be silent on these issues. Throw the issue back at Republicans up and down the spectrum and don't let up. Use every venue you can. (And don't let them intimidate you with the left's "hate" language.)

The pro-family movement actually has some interesting leverage: As it gets closer to the fall, the GOP desperately wants a united front. They're very afraid of either a third-party candidate or angry GOP voters staying home. Tirelessly forcing the issue makes it more and more difficult for the Republican establishment to concede the homosexual agenda. And we all know that if that happens, we're in for another horrible four years either way.

Some important reading on this topic: