Two possible GOP candidates for
president have criticized President Barack Obama's decision to no
longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
The Clinton-era law bans federal
agencies from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian
couples and allows states to ignore such marriages. Attorney
General Eric Holder said on Wednesday that he and the president
believe parts of the law are unconstitutional.
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick
Santorum, an
opponent of gay rights, said Obama is attempting to “erode”
American traditions
“When the definition of marriage has
been put before the people, they have time and time again – from
Maine to California – stood up in defense of the traditional
family,” Santorum said in a statement. “President Obama's
refusal to defend a law that was overwhelmingly supported on both
sides of the aisle and signed into law by a president of his own
party is an affront to the will of the people. This is yet another
example of our president’s effort to erode the very traditions that
have made our country the greatest nation on earth, and it begs the
question what language changed in the constitution since 2008 to
reverse his position.”
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
said the decision could “destroy” Obama.
“It may destroy him [Obama], may
destroy his credibility, may destroy his campaign and candidacy and
ultimately his term in office,” Huckabee
said in a CBS News interview. “It takes more than one
president to destroy marriage.”
“He himself didn't take this position
when he ran for president.” he added. “I think if he had, he
wouldn't be president.”
(In fact, as a candidate the president
called for the law's repeal)