POLL: Californians Regret Passing Proposition 8

From San Francisco's rally last night.

As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments today on California’s Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage, a new SurveyUSA poll shows that 67 percent of Californians believe same-sex couples deserve the legal benefits of marriage. Only 30 percent believe those benefits should be limited to “a man and a woman.”

Conservatives have argued that if the Court rules against Prop 8, it will somehow invalidate the will of the voters who supported the ballot initiative. Not only do voters not have the power to undermine the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, but it’s clear that the anti-gay animus that motivated Prop 8's passage no longer represents the majority of California values.

Further proof of this today comes from 25 California mayors, who have urged the Supreme Court to rule Prop 8 unconstitutional. Thousands also rallied Monday night in San Francisco showing their support for marriage equality. Here’s a video of some scenes from the march and rally:

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Statement by the President on the Passing of Van Cliburn

Statement by the President on the Passing of Van Cliburn | The White House Skip to main content | Skip to footer site map The White House. President Barack Obama Get Email UpdatesContact Us Go to homepage. The White House Blog Photos & Videos Photo Galleries Video Performances Live Streams Podcasts 2012: A Year in Photos

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For Immediate Release March 03, 2013 Statement by the President on the Passing of Van Cliburn

This week, we mark the passing of Van Cliburn, one of the most talented pianists of the last century and a musical artist of rare distinction. At the young age of 23, Mr. Cliburn swept the world off its feet with his winning performance at the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, and he quickly became a beloved ambassador of American culture around the world – especially in the former Soviet Union. His music transcended the challenges of international politics and contributed to an unlikely thaw in Cold War relations. He was truly a man of his moment. Like every President since Harry Truman, I enjoyed the privilege of hearing Mr. Cliburn play, and I am confident that the enduring beauty of his art will sustain his legendary status for years to come. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Mr. Cliburn’s loved ones.

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Blog posts on this issue March 04, 2013 6:52 PM ESTHanging Out with First Lady Michelle Obama

Mrs. Obama joins a virtual conversation about Let’s Move!, her initiative to ensure our nation’s kids grow up healthy and reach their full potential.

March 04, 2013 3:52 PM ESTFulfilling our Commitment to Open Government: We Hear You

The Open Government Partnership publishes the text of the President's directive extending whistleblower protections to the intelligence and national security communities, as requested by the community.

March 04, 2013 3:01 PM ESTU.S. Department of Labor Celebrates 100 Years of Helping American Workers

The Department of Labor celebrates its centennial anniversary and looks forward to continuing its important work on behalf on America's workers.

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Statement by Vice President Biden on the Passing of Ambassador Max Kampelman

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For Immediate Release January 29, 2013 Statement by Vice President Biden on the Passing of Ambassador Max Kampelman

I was saddened to hear about the recent passing of Ambassador Max M. Kampelman.  I was honored to have known this extraordinarily accomplished and decent man.  For more than six decades, Democrats and Republicans alike relied on Max's advice and wisdom as he pursued a remarkable career in law, politics, and diplomacy.  At the height of the Cold War, he championed and negotiated landmark agreements on human rights and nuclear arms reductions.  Fittingly, Max devoted his final years to passionately advancing the vision he shared with Ronald Reagan and others – that of a world without nuclear weapons.  My thoughts and prayers are with Max's family.

Blog posts on this issue January 29, 2013 6:18 PM ESTFireside Hangout: Cecilia Muñoz Joins a Conversation on Immigration Reform

On Thursday, January 31 at 1:00 p.m. ET, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Muñoz will join the latest "Fireside Hangout" for a conversation about immigration reform.

January 29, 2013 2:30 PM ESTPresident Obama's Four Part Plan for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

President Obama speak from Las Vegas about creating a fair and effective immigration system that lives up to our heritage as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.

January 29, 2013 9:09 AM ESTPresident Obama Announces Additional Humanitarian Aid for the Syrian People

President Obama announced today that he has approved a new round of humanitarian assistance, an additional $155 million to provide for the urgent and pressing needs of civilians in Syria and refugees forced to flee the violence of the Assad regime. This brings America’s contribution to date to $365 million, making the United States the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people.

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Sen. Feinstein: Passing gun-control legislation is ‘hardest’ challenge

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said Sunday that she will push her assault-weapons ban as an amendment if it doesn’t get into the package that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) allows on the floor.

Reid has said he will allow an open amendment process for gun-control legislation on the Senate floor — which gun-control proponents fear could weaken a final bill — but Feinstein said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that she would also force a vote on renewing the assault-weapons ban.

She said that’s how it happened in 1993, when the ban was first passed.

“This has always been an uphill fight,” Feinstein said. “This has never been easy — this is the hardest of the hard.”

Feinstein introduced legislation this week to ban assault weapons at a press conference flanked by a group of Democratic senators and the guns they want to ban displayed behind them.

The ban faces a difficult fight in the Senate, as Republicans and a handful of Democrats have said they are opposed to banning assault weapons again.

Feinstein said Sunday that the Newtown, Conn. shootings was an “epiphany” for her, and that the country has reached the point where “enough is enough.”

She accused the National Rifle Association (NRA) of being “an institution of gun manufacturers” and said they their tactics had targeted lawmakers eager for compromise.

“They come after you — they put together large amounts of money to defeat you,” Feinstein said. “They did this in 1993,” when the first assault-weapons ban passed.

The NRA’s CEO Wayne LaPierre will be testifying at Tuesday’s Judiciary Committee hearing on gun control.

Feinstein, who sits on the Judiciary panel, wouldn’t disclose Sunday what she would ask him, only saying: “You can be sure I will have some questions for him.”

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Statement from the President on the Passing of General Norman Schwarzkopf

Statement from the President on the Passing of General Norman Schwarzkopf | The White House Skip to main content | Skip to footer site map The White House. President Barack Obama Get Email UpdatesContact Us Go to homepage. The White House Blog Photos & Videos Photo Galleries Video Performances Live Streams Podcasts White House Performances

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Holidays at the White House

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For Immediate Release December 27, 2012 Statement from the President on the Passing of General Norman Schwarzkopf

 

With the passing of General Norman Schwarzkopf, we've lost an American original. From his decorated service in Vietnam to the historic liberation of Kuwait and his leadership of United States Central Command, General Schwarzkopf stood tall for the country and Army he loved. Our prayers are with the Schwarzkopf family, who tonight can know that his legacy will endure in a nation that is more secure because of his patriotic service. 

Blog posts on this issue December 28, 2012 10:17 AM ESTYear in Review: White House Office Hours

From @VP Biden to Let's Move!, college affordability with Education Secretary @ArneDuncan to the Affordable Care Act, Office Hours gave Administration officials a chance to interact with Americans on important policy issues in 2012.

December 28, 2012 12:00 AM ESTWest Wing Week: 12/28/12 or "Best of the West (Wing Week)"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

December 27, 2012 12:54 PM ESTYear in Review: Don't Double My Rate

As 2012 comes to a close, we’re looking back at some of the year’s policy milestones, including legislation President Obama signed this summer that stopped student loan interest rates from doubling for more than 7 million students.

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