President Barack Obama's record on gay
rights will be highlighted in his reelection campaign.
Speaking to The
Washington Post, Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt
confirmed that the campaign would promote the president's record.
“From allowing hospital visitation
rights for gay partners to repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'
President Obama has done more to advance equal rights for gays and
lesbians than any other president – a record we intend to
highlight,” LaBolt said.
The Post also quotes an unnamed
source as saying that Obama's top advisers are actively discussing
whether he should endorse gay marriage before the November election.
“This would help in terms of
reinvigorating some of the excitement from 2008,” the source said.
“It's not just about gay people. There's an upside with the
progressive community and young people in general. Obama's advisers
are in listening mode.”
LaBolt declined to confirm the report,
saying only that the president “alone will come to a decision.”
Last week, the Obama campaign announced
that the
president is opposed to a proposed amendment which would define
marriage as a heterosexual union in the North Carolina constitution.