News Roundup: The Day After

http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2012/05/10/news-updates-following-historic-obama-announcement-marriage

Marriage equality news has been fast and furious since President Obama's Wednesday afternoon sitdown with ABC News over his completed evolution on the issue. Here’s a quick roundup of what’s happening in the wake of the announcement:

—On Thursday, the president is scheduled to attend a record-breaking fundraiser in Los Angeles at the Studio City home of George Clooney (the event is expected to bring in $15 million for the campaign). Any presidential visit to L.A. invariably turns into a traffic nightmare, but it looks like Westside progressives may be willing to give Obama some slack this time around, as the usual griping has been conspicuously absent.

—White House talking points on the president’s stance were leaked yesterday afternoon and fall generally in line with his response to ABC’s Robin Roberts. “It’s no secret the President has gone through some soul-searching on this issue. He’s talked to his wife about it, like so many couples do,” one of the talking points reads. “He’s heard from folks—gay friends in long-term, loving relationships; brave young servicemen and women he got to know through the fight to end Don’t, Ask Don’t Tell; staff members; folks who sent compelling letters about their lives. It’s no doubt they’ve shaped his view on this issue.”

—Obama says of Biden's Sunday surprise on NBC's Meet the Press, where he said he's "absolutely comfortable" with gay marriage: "He probably got out a little bit over his skis, but out of generosity of spirit." Also, the president says that the announcement was most likely to be made pre-DNC convention in September: "I had already made a decision that we were going to probably take this position before the election, before the convention."