Obama mocks homophobic Republican candidates
Barack Obama ridiculed right-wing presidential candidates who oppose gay marriage over the weekend.
The president made the comments at the Democratic National Committee LGBT fundraising gala, where he was introduced by Jim Obergefell – the plaintiff in the landmark case that saw the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the US.
“America has left the leaders of the Republican Party behind,” he said, before taking aim at three wannabe presidents in a particular.
Although he did not call them out by name, it was pretty clear who the President was referring to.
“One of their leading candidates argued that going to prison turns you gay,” Obama said about Ben Carson, who made the outrageous claim earlier this year.
“Another candidate boasts that he introduced an amendment to end nationwide marriage equality – which isn’t even an accomplishment at all,” he said in reference to Ted Cruz – who was recently booed by the audience on a talk show, while attempting to discuss his opposition to equal marriage.
However, Obama saved the majority of his mockery for arguably the most homophobic Republican of the all (which is clearly no mean feat) – Mike Huckabee.
“I’m sure he loves the Constitution – except for Article III,” he said about Huckabee – friend of Kim Davis, hater of gays – who last week claimed that the President isn’t really a Christian, after he let a gay Bishop attend today’s White House reception for the Pope.
“And maybe the Equal Protection Amendment. And the 14th Amendment, generally.”
The President went on to argue that religious freedom did not give people the right to discriminate against LGBT people.
“We affirm that we cherish our religious freedom and are profoundly respectful of religious traditions,” he said.
“But we also have to say clearly that our religious freedom doesn’t grant us the freedom to deny our fellow Americans their constitutional rights.”
“And that even as we are respectful and accommodating genuine concerns and interests of religious institutions, we need to reject politicians who are supporting new forms of discrimination as a way to scare up votes.”
“That’s not how we move America forward.”
