Obama’s still on the fence on same-sex marriage

Last month President Obama, addressing a fundraising dinner in New York, said: “I believe that gay couples deserve the same human rights as every other couple in this country.” The natural interpretation of those words is that Obama was endorsing same-sex marriage.

But he wasn’t. He made that clear Wednesday in some maddening remarks at a White House news conference. Yet again he spoke in a way that would convince an unwary listener that he supported marriage equality. Referring to New York state’s enactment of a same-sex marriage law, Obama said it was a “good thing.” But he quickly made it clear that he wasn’t endorsing same-sex marriage.

This equivocation is unworthy of a president who, as he boasts, has done much to promote equality for gays and lesbians, including pressing for the abolition of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Obama’s defense of his position comprises two arguments. One is that his thinking is “evolving” (a process that would seem likely to culminate at some point in support for same-sex marriage). The other is that same-sex marriage is a matter for the states to deal with. At his news conference, Obama said that “each community is going to be different and each state is going to be different.”

But that’s sophistry. Even if one firmly believes that the states have the right to legalize or outlaw gay marriage, that’s no reason not to take a position of one’s own. One can have a view on a subject — say, that the legal driving age should be 16 — without questioning the right of the states to make their own laws.

Of course, some of Obama’s critics see another explanation: concern about the 2012 election. But allowing politics to determine his position on this issue strikes a profile in caution, not courage. And a refusal to endorse same-sex marriage may not be the political asset the president seems to think it is. Voters who would penalize him for supporting same-sex marriage might already be alienated by his other gay-rights initiatives.

When a reporter at Wednesday’s news conference pressed Obama on his position, the president said, “I’m not going to make news on that today.” But he should make news somewhere, and soon. Just say yes, Mr. President.