Obama to MTV: I won't be pushing gay marriage in second term

[evewithanapple]

One day after endorsing gay marriage proposals in Washington and Maine, President Obama told MTV viewers Friday that he would not be pushing gay marriage in his second term, ABC News reported.

According to Obama, "it would be up to future generations of Americans to implement meaningful reform," ABC added.

"First of all, I've been very clear about my

Comments

[ms_maree]

As a non-American I don't see how any President in their second term has any incentive to follow through with any of their promises. No matter what, they get their four years in the job with the nice pay package and that's it, why should they personally care if they don't follow through with anything, it's not like they are going to be President after that, the people can't punish him by not re-electing him. Short of doing something really crap, and I'd imagine it would have to be something really bad, the American people are stuck with him.

[anolinde]

On the other hand, they can do whatever the fuck they want (i.e. support gay marriage) and not face any punishment for it, so. =/

[ms_maree]

So what's Obama's excuse? ETA: I guess we should wait and see, probably jumping the gun here.

[redstar826]

having more freedom as a second term president still doesn't mean that congress is going to give him everything he wants. And while he doesn't have to worry about re-election, most of the folks in the house and senate do.

[ebay313]

Eh, I don't think you get to the point of being president without having some pretty strong convictions and a very strong drive to see something happen. They may be less responsive to people because they don't need to worry about being re-elected but I can't see any who would just sit back and not care. Unfortunately gay rights doesn't seem to be one of president Obama's core issues.

[teacoat]

It's not quite that simple because in most matters, the executive branch can't work alone. The president may never be up for an election again, but everyone in the House and Senate (except, of course, for those who retire) will be. So if the President loses political capital by way of dropping approval ratings because he isn't keeping or is deliberately going against promises he made, it becomes much harder for him to get anything done.