Carly Fiorina's Obama-Approved Marriage Stance Puts More GOP Pressure on President

California Senatorial hopeful Carly Fiorina compared herself to President Obama while defending opposition to gay marriage last night. "The position I’ve consistently espoused is consistent with that of our President and a vast majority of senators in the U.S. Senate," said the civil union supporting Fiorina during a debate with Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Fiorina's proclamation comes as more conservative Republicans, particularly Ken Mehlman, come out for marriage equality, a fact that has some wondering whether the President can take the political heat.

"I think [the Administration has] been put in a tough place by these conservatives and they should be," a Democratic consultant told Sam Stein. "There are a whole group of people who are to the left of them on gay rights. And they are Republicans. It should make them feel uncomfortable."

Though Fiorina isn't "to the left," her remarks, coupled with the Mehlman movement, does put much needed pressure on the President to either take a more robust stand for equality, or side with his political enemies. By a twist of political fate, Republicans, even those who don't support marriage, may turn out to be our accidental allies.

Pundits and politicos wonder whether gay people will leave the historically supportive Democrats for the President and his peers' unwillingness to push for gay marriage. Such speculation, however, assumes that gay people are single-issue voters. As journalist Dan Savage points out, we're not. But he also points out that the President and other Democrats' feet-dragging severely deflates gay enthusiasm in the election process. "If we get no progress under Democrats (just empty promises meant to excite their base)," he asks, "but no regress under Republicans (just empty threats meant to excite their base), why should we waste our time — and our money — worrying about who's in charge?"

The President has long claimed he opposes Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act, yet still stands firm in opposing marriage equality. It's a mind-boggling bit of political posturing meant to placate opposing voter blocs. Considering how hard he tried to woo gays during the 2008 election, and despite modest progress on the equality front, such as the expansion of hate crimes legislation, the President remains a lackluster cheerleader for equality, including "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the Employment Nondiscrimination Act and, of course, marriage. His past proclamations have been eclipsed by his double-speak.

Now Republicans from both sides of the marriage divide are presenting the President with a choice: remain silent, thus showing Democratic and LGBT voters that he's siding with moderate Republicans like Fiorina, and against conservatives like Mehlman; or, conversely, Obama will have tackle this issue head on and use this moment to move forward on marriage equality, potentially alienating independent voters.

If he does come out for gay marriage, we have the Republicans to thank: they're unintentionally putting the President in a do-or-die position: align with the GOP or make good on his gay promises. There's no other option.

Photo credit: Carly Fiorina for Senate