re: #28 Sergey Romanov

A political question: has Obama just taken the issue off the 2012 table, or has he added an issue?

I think he may have added. The right has gone full speed on social issues, thus freeing the left to do the same. I suspect he will come out in favor of gay marriage at some point too. I could be wrong, but on a personal level I think that’s where he is in his heart and politically, the base needs the motivation.