Obama: Backing Gay Marriage ‘Personally’ Important

President Barack Obama has publicly endorsed gay marriage, according to a report from ABC News.

The president, who has been under pressure to state his position on the controversial issue, said it was “personally” important that he affirm his support for same-sex unions. Obama made his declaration today during an interview with ABC.

“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama said in an interview to appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Thursday. Excerpts of the interview will air tonight on ABC’s “World News with Diane Sawyer.”

You can see video of Obama’s statement here. Pundits had speculated that Obama might wait until after the election to come out in support of gay marriage because he worried it would erode his support among black voters and those in swing states, such as North Carolina.

Earlier today, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson sharply criticized the White House for failing to take a clear position on gay marriage and called on the Obama administration to “make up its mind” on the issue.

I’m guessing that Johnson’s criticism wasn’t Obama’s tipping point, but the former governor’s timing was impeccable.

Johnson, who won the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination Saturday in Las Vegas, said Obama was “playing cruel, cynical politics with a deeply personal issue for many Americans.”

“He should quit trying to have it both ways and take a stand,” said Johnson, who served as New Mexico’s Republican governor from 1995-2003, in a statement.

The divisive issue flared up last weekend when Vice President Joe Biden said he was “entirely comfortable” with same-sex adults marrying. The White House has said Obama position is “evolving.” That has prompted widespread debate over Obama’s true position. Some Americans want Obama to lay his cards on the table with respect to the issue, saying he is either for or against gay marriage. Others, including some who support same sex unions, believe the president is wisely waiting until after the November election to reveal his position on the polarizing subject.

Here’s more from Johnson:

“Gay marriage equality is not a trick question, and we shouldn’t be getting trick answers from the President of theUnited States. Gay Americans deserve better than a President who winks and nods and tries to convince them that he will protect their rights, but refuses to emerge from the closet and support one of the most basic rights – the right to  equal access to marriage.  And frankly, even opponents of gay marriage deserve the truth from the White House.  Is the President for it or against it? Right now, the Administration is trying to have it both ways.”  

Former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney also supports same-sex marriage, a position at odds with many in the Republican Party. Cheney’s daughter is gay.