Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has finally endorsed gay marriage in a strong public statement, mirroring her husband’s statement that the Defense of Marriage Act, passed during his Presidency in 1996, was a mistake, and that it was time for it to be repealed.
Hillary Clinton has always been a strong supporter of gay rights, but avoided gay marriage until now.
The question is why, and there are three answers:
The Supreme Court is about to hear a case that could transform this nation on the subject of marriage, unlike anything since Loving V Virginia in 1967, which finally declared interracial marriage to be constitutional. Extra pressure on the Court at a time like this cannot help but possibly influence Justice Anthony Kennedy and Chief Justice John Roberts, either or both who could be the decisive votes on the case.
Many Democrats have endorse gay marriage, including President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and potential Democratic nominees for President, including Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York and Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland, so if Hillary Clinton is soon to decide to run for President in 2016 she would, obviously, need to get into line on the issue.
Also, Hillary could be taking this step out of pure principle, and belief that the time is right for this significant social advancement.
No matter what the motivation, and it is probably all three, it is proper to salute Hillary Clinton for speaking up, once again, for human rights and human dignity!
Just two words, “Good Grief!”.
I think that it is a combination of the last two. I do believe that Hillary is endorsing Gay marriage out of principle, but it would be foolish not to think that she is doing it to get in line with the other Democrats on this issue like you mentioned. She would coincidentally gain votes from the Gay community. For a person who, from what I’ve seen is (dare I say “popular?”) among the voters. I remind you that she fought tooth and nail with Obama back in 2008. So I think this will give Hillary and edge under the conditions that she gains the Democratic Nomination and goes up against a Rep. nominee that is weaker or less prepared on the subject. Plus like I mentioned earlier she is was and I think still is well liked by voters today.
Excellent post Professor