I haven't written a diary in nearly 3 years. There are several reasons for that from loss of time to a perceived change here. But that's neither here nor there, as they say.
As Obama's last year of his first term comes to an end, I thought I'd look back and see how his score card looks from the advantage of 3 years in office. My view of his tackling of many issues range from disappointed (civil liberties), to frustrated (economy) and generally content (foreign policy), but frankly, he's neither worse or better than I'd thought he'd be.
But what about gay rights. This is an issue near and dear to my heart and life and I had high hopes for a new era.
So, I took a look at his promises. I believe Politifact has is right. I saw several promises of his, and I'm going to list them by importance to me and what I see as actions vs. words, import, etc.:
1. Support repeal of DOMA
Though a slow start (if you call waiting a year or two slow), the Obama Justice Department has stopped defending DOMA and has filed a brief in opposition to DOMA. Obama has publicly and privately supported the Respect for Marriage Act to repeal DOMA.
On this issue, I give him an A- (3.7), so far, and weight this high.
2. Repeal of DADT.
After Obama getting all the ducks in a row, congress passes and he signs the repeal of DADT.It'scertified dead. And without barely a peep of controversy and acrimony (in comparison to the past).
On this issue, I give him an A (4.0) and weight this high.
3. Support and encourage the passage of ENDA to include GLBT citizens.
It hasn't happened, wasn't pushed fast enough (now that we have a tea-party Republican majority, it's too late for this term). For not getting this in under the deadline of that mid-term election (but who knew), I'm not giving him much on this at all.
On this issue, I give him a C- (2.7) and weight this promise high.
4. Push for enactment of Matthew Shepard Act.
This hate crimes bill, with support and encouragement of the administration, was passed in 2009 and signed by the president.
On this issue, I give him an A (4.0) and weight it medium.
5. Urge states to treat same-sex couples with equality in family and adoption laws.
He hasn't really. Bully pulpit and all that.
I'll give him a D (2.0) but I weigh this low... I don't care much about words, though they would have helped.
There are more actions, not necessarily promises he made in the campaign, but actions since he's been president:
New rules to medicare and medicaid that "require all hospitals that participate in Medicaid and Medicare to allow patients to designate who shall be allowed to visit them and make medical decisions on their behalf. The order will allow for same-sex partners to have the same rights as other immediate family members."
Gets a couple bonus points for this.
His position on gay marriage is 'evolving'. Ugh. He gets a point taken away for being a wimp in words. Actions (see above) speak a lot louder than words for me, but still... ugh.
Obama Administration lifts discriminatory HIV-travel ban. 2 points for that.
There are many others. The administration lists 37. Now, I've read them, and yes a lot are kind of wimpy 'so what' kind of things. Still, even just the above is quite a list.
So, my score card, on GLBT rights so far given my weights and points: 3.5. That's a B+/A-.
I'm very happy with this president on this issue. Especially considering it was Clinton who signed and passed both DOMA and DADT and it was Bush who set us back so far. On this issue, I am happy.