WASHINGTON, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council (FRC) said today that President Barack Obama's endorsement today of same-sex "marriage" is disappointing but not surprising.
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In an interview with ABC News today, Mr. Obama announced that he now supports legalizing same-sex marriage. It was the second time in his career that Mr. Obama has appeared to reverse course on the issue. In 1996, as a candidate for the Illinois State Senate, Mr. Obama endorsed same-sex marriage. But since winning national office - first as a U.S. Senator, and then as President - Mr. Obama had said that such couples should have access to all the legal rights and benefits of marriage through "civil unions," but that "marriage" should remain defined as the union of a man and a woman.
FRC President Tony Perkins issued the following statement:
"The President's announcement today that he supports legalizing same-sex marriage finally brings his words in sync with his actions. From opposing state marriage amendments to refusing to defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA) to giving taxpayer funded marriage benefits to same-sex couples, the President has undermined the spirit if not the letter of the law.
"As demonstrated by yesterday's overwhelming vote in North Carolina, redefining marriage remains outside the mainstream of American politics, especially in the critical battleground states and among minority voters. In North Carolina, the amendment received more than 60 percent of the vote in majority-black counties.
"Considering that ten of the sixteen battleground states have marriage amendments that could be overturned by the President's new policy position on marriage, today's announcement almost ensures that marriage will again be a major issue in the presidential election.
"The President has provided a clear contrast between him and his challenger Mitt Romney. Romney, who has signed a pledge to support a marriage protection amendment to the U.S. Constitution, may have been handed the key to social conservative support by President Obama."
SOURCE Family Research Council
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