By Michael Zennie President Barack Obama voiced support for gay marriage in an interview with ABC News today, the third time he has changed his stance on the issue in his political career. Obama's announcement is a political calculation for his reelection campaign, an attempt to draw a sharp line between himself and Republican Mitt Romney, who opposes gay marriage. The president appears to be banking on the issue, which is heavily supported by younger Americans, to mobilize the youth vote, which has become disaffected during his term in office. Obama had long been suspected of holding this view, but was thought to be afraid to make it public because of the political backlash.
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Obama supported gay marriage in 1996 but later opposed it in 2004
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Sasha and Malia's friends, who have gay parents, helped change the president's mind
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Obama says issue should still be left up to the states
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New position draws sharp contract with Republican Mitt Romney, who opposes gay marriage
2010, after @placeholder wave election: 'My feelings with this are constantly evolving, I struggle with this.'