WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama feigned opposition to gay marriage for most of his political career, compromising his true beliefs out of concern it could hurt him with voters, Obama’s longtime political adviser disclosed in a new book.
David Axelrod, above, said in “Believer: My Forty Years in Politics,” released Tuesday, that Obama begrudgingly followed his advice that he would face strong opposition from African-American religious leaders and others if he let it be known he supported gay marriage. He said Obama “modified his position” to say he supported civil unions.
Obama announced in May 2012 that he supported gay marriage. The year earlier, Obama and the White House had started saying his position was “evolving,” leading many to believe he was holding off for fear it could damage his re-election prospects.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he wouldn’t dispute Axelrod’s account.
