GOP adviser Karl Rove has accused
President Barack Obama of using the gay marriage issue for political
gain.
Appearing on Fox
News on Friday, Rove attacked the president for dropping his
previous stance on the issue – that he is “evolving” – and
making an endorsement.
“How political is this, he changed
his mind but he was waiting until it was close to the convention in
order to wring the maximum amount [of] benefit out of it. This thing
at the end will be a negative for the president. He gains in the gay
community and among young voters. But frankly opposing 'Don't Ask,
Don't Tell,' refusing to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA),
everybody sort of got the sense when he said, 'I'm evolving in my
position,' that it sort of signaled to people, 'Give the flexibility.
After the election I'll change.'”
He added that the endorsement was a
“net negative” for the president.
Rove is best known for making gay
marriage a wedge issue in the 2004 presidential election.
Commenting on Rove's remarks at
Mediaite.com,
Jon Bershad said: “Seriously, Karl Rove is going to attack someone
else for politicizing gay marriage? … This interview is basically
like watching Michael Jordan go on TV and accuse someone else of
being a basketball player.”
(Related: Majority
approve of Obama's gay marriage nod.)