Democrats applaud Obama’s gay-marriage endorsement

Democrats applauded President Obama on Wednesday for publicly endorsing gay marriage, the first sitting president to do so. Obama told ABC News his view has evolved to the point where he believed it was time to announce that he “personally” believes same-sex men or women should be able to legally marry.

"Same-sex couples should be able to get married."—President Obama

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 9, 2012

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who has already publicly supported gay marriage, tweeted that it was "a great day."

A great day in our fight for civil rights-President Obama adds his support for marriage #equality. #BeautifulDay

— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) May 9, 2012

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) called it "a proud moment." Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), the first openly homosexual member of Congress who is also a parent, thanked Obama in a tweet.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) called the announcement “HUGE” in a tweet. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) called it “a historic step.”

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ‏ (D-N.Y.) thanked the president for his leadership on LGBT equality and later went on to ask her followers to join her in expressing their public support for the president. And Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said all Americans deserve to have a long and happy marriage like her own.

A very proud moment. RT @BarackObama: "Same-sex couples should be able to get married."—President Obama

— D Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) May 9, 2012

Obama’s support today for marriage equality is HUGE. Fundamental fairness for all is within reach!

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) May 9, 2012

.@BarackObama Thx for your support of full #marriageequality today. Your leadership in the fight for #lgbt equality means so much.

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) May 9, 2012

I have been blessed to have a long and happy marriage - all Americans deserve that same opportunity. #lgbt #marriageequality

— Nita Lowey (@NitaLowey) May 9, 2012

President Obama taking a historic step today in declaring support for marriage equality. Couldn't be prouder.

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) May 9, 2012

Democrats including Sens. Mark Udall (Colo.) and Charles Schumer (N.Y.), Reps. Jim Himes (Conn.) and Jackie Speier (Calif.) and mayors from D.C., Newark and New York City rushed Twitter within the first hour of the interview to add their support to Obama's position and express their own opinions.

Obama did the right thing by coming out for same-sex marriage. The drive towards equality in America is inexorable.

— Chuck Schumer (@ChuckSchumer) May 9, 2012

Glad the Pres finished "evolving" on marriage equality. Our core national value is equality and equal protection under the law.

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) May 9, 2012

Glad President @BarackObama has come out in support of marriage equality. #LGBT marriage strengthens families & communities.

— Mark Udall (@MarkUdall) May 9, 2012

Marriage is about two people who love each other. Glad to hear that Pres Obama thinks so too! #NOH8 #equality

— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) May 9, 2012

Thank you to @BarackObama for openly expresing his support for #marriageequality. Bigotry should never be enshrined in our law.

— Vincent C. Gray (@mayorvincegray) May 9, 2012

President @BarackObama’s announcement is a major turning point in the history of American civil rights: bit.ly/LQaXi7 #ssm

— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) May 9, 2012

Historic day for justice and equality. Our United States President Obama endorses marriage equality. I rejoice in this announcement.

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 9, 2012

No Republicans rushed to tweet a reaction to the news, but GOProud, a leading Republican organization that supports LGBT rights, released a statement cautiously praising Obama’s announcement.

“This is hardly a profile in courage by President Obama. For years now, President Obama has tried his hardest to have it both ways on this issue,” co-founder Christopher R. Barron said in a statement. “The real kudos here goes to LGBT activists and their allies who finally forced the President into yielding on this issue.”

Similarly, the Log Cabin Republicans slammed Obama for failing to speak out earlier, particularly prior to the referendum vote by North Carolina the previous day when voters passed an amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.

“Log Cabin Republicans appreciate that President Obama has finally come in line with leaders like Vice President Dick Cheney on this issue, but LGBT Americans are right to be angry that this calculated announcement comes too late to be of any use to the people of North Carolina, or any of the other states that have addressed this issue on his watch," said Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper in a statement. "This administration has manipulated LGBT families for political gain as much as anybody, and after his campaign’s ridiculous contortions to deny support for marriage equality this week he does not deserve praise for an announcement that comes a day late and a dollar short.”

—This post was updated at 3:35 and 3:58 p.m.