Politics

Today, President Barack Obama spoke out at an impromptu news conference against California's Proposition 8 ballot measure that bans gay marriage. He said that Prop. 8 "doesn't provide any rationale for discriminating against same-sex couples other than just the notion, 'Well, they're same-sex couples.'" Obama's remarks come a day after his administration issued a brief urging justices to overturn California's gay marriage ban. The president said, "I felt it was important for us to articulate what I believe and what this administration stands for."

Obama went on to say that since the brief was specifically about California, it didn't explicitly argue that gay marriage should be legal in every state. "That's an argument that I make, personally," he said. "The court may decide that if it doesn't apply in this case, it probably can't apply in any case. There's no good reason for it."

This is an important milestone, as Obama's comments could influence the Supreme Court's decision on the Prop. 8 case — which will be argued March 26 — causing a domino effect with the seven other states that give gay couples the benefits of marriage through civil unions or domestic partnership without allowing them to wed.

In the past, Obama has held a stance that the legalization of same-sex marriage should be decided by the states, but he's become bolder with his backing of the cause since officially voicing his support of gay marriage in May of last year. In his State of the Union address last month, Obama referenced his stance on gay rights, saying, "It is our unfinished task to restore the basic bargain that built this country — the idea that if you work hard and meet your responsibilities, you can get ahead, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or who you love."

Gay marriage is a constitutional right — according to 75 top Republicans who submitted a brief to the Supreme Court this week. Next month, the court will hear arguments for and against California's gay marriage ban (Proposition 8) and the federal Defense of Marriage Act. These Republicans, including former governors like Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, former Bush advisers, and past and current members of Congress, would like the court to rule against those bans, effectively making gay marriage legal in all 50 states.

Not all Republicans are on board, including House Speaker John Boehner, who is expected to spend millions in support of the Defense of Marriage Act. But the brief is meant to appeal to conservatives, nonetheless. It cites Citizens United, which eased campaign finance restrictions, and District of Columbia v. Heller, which threw out DC's handgun ban, as legal precedent in support of gay marriage. Such arguments could appeal to conservative justices who back those prior decisions.

A majority of Americans — including former First Lady Laura Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney — now support equal marriage rights, but the power to make them legal rests with the nine Supreme Court justices. A decision is expected this Summer. This brief could convince the justices that backing gay marriage puts them on the right side of history and the law.

While attending the Governors' Dinner, First Lady Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the Oscars Sunday night. Michelle donned a sparkly Naeem Khan gown and presented the best picture Oscar remotely via satellite. The accolade went to Argo, which fittingly has a political theme as it's based on a true story about a CIA plan to help a group of Americans escape Iran.

"Welcome to the White House, everyone," Michelle said on screen. The FLOTUS then added that these nominated movies "took us back in time and all around the world. They made us laugh. They made us weep and made us grip our armrests just a little tighter. They taught us that love can endure against all odds and transform our minds in the most surprising ways. And they reminded us that we can overcome any obstacle if we dig deep enough and fight hard enough and find the courage to believe in ourselves."

Between this and Michelle's recent Jimmy Fallon video, we can only hope movies are next for the first lady!

"When couples are committed, they ought to have, I think, the same sort of rights that everyone has," Laura Bush says in a new ad supporting gay marriage. The former first lady, along with fellow Republicans Dick Cheney and Colin Powell, as well as President Barack Obama, are featured in the ad to show that a majority of Americans now support gay marriage rights. But the prominent conservatives, who happen to be more liberal on social issues, did not participate willingly in the ad, which uses statements they've made during cable news or other appearances.

Laura Bush has asked the Respect For Marriage Coalition to remove the clip. Her spokesperson said Laura Bush "did not approve of her inclusion in this advertisement, nor is she associated with the group that made the ad in any way." While the ad uses her quote in support of equal rights for gays in context, it seems the first lady is not ready to be a public advocate for the cause. Watch the ad and tell us: do you think she has a right to protest?

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the United States, thanks to Roe v. Wade. In honor of this landmark decision, two abortion clinic workers took to Reddit with an IAmA ("I am a") AMA ("ask me anything"), inviting people to ask them any questions they had about their experiences. The women describe their background as working at "two different Midwestern, independent (non-Planned Parenthood) feminist clinics, both in strongly antichoice states." They gave some insightful answers about what it's like working in a clinic and what abortion is like in modern America. See some of their most intriguing responses below:

Why do most people you encounter decide to get abortions?

A lot of reasons, really — I don't think there's a typical story. Many of them are already mothers, struggling to care for their existing children. Others are very young and not at all ready to begin a family. Some have been raped; some are in abusive relationships. Really, it's all sorts of things.

What's the most common misconception about abortions?

That clinics are dirty and that we hate babies. Neither is true.

Is there any situation in which you would counsel a woman to not get an abortion?

Sure. If she doesn't want to have an abortion, if someone is pressuring her and she really wants to continue the pregnancy, anything like that. My job really is just to be someone to listen to her and support her decisions.

What do [antiabortion protesters] yell?

Keep reading to find out the answer to this question and more.

A Colbert might be headed to Congress sooner than we think! Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the older sister to comedian Stephen Colbert, is looking to fill Tim Scott's South Carolina House seat this May. The South Carolina resident wants to bring her big family upbringing and her business background to Washington — a longtime dream of hers. Her brother is a household name and she's up against scandal-struck Mark Sanford; here are five more things to know about Elizabeth Colbert Busch:

1. For starters, she's Stephen Colbert's older sister: It's actually the childhood memory of Stephen sitting on her lap while the two were watching Robert Kennedy's funeral that first sparked Elizabeth's interest in politics.
2. She's an accomplished businesswoman: Although they are close, Elizabeth is confident that her brother's fame will not overshadow her. As the director of business development for Clemson University, she explains that "when people see what I have done and they know the work we have done and they know me as a person and a professional, it will be fine."
3. You can call her Lulu: On the ballot, you'll see her name as Elizabeth Colbert Busch, but her nickname is actually Lulu, as revealed by Stephen, who plans to support her privately.
4. Her positivity is the reason behind her success: She's a successful businesswoman and it is her mindset that "life is good, life is beautiful, and you just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other." A friend claims that has allowed her to battle through tough times like divorce and loss.
5. Her big family is a big deal: Elizabeth believes that coming from a family of 11 kids has made her passionate about children's opportunities and given her strong negotiation skills. It is probably the reason she feels so committed to people in her community, who have pushed her through both the good times and the bad.
6. She goes with her gut, just like her brother: Waiting to live out her dreams, Elizabeth believes now is the time to do it. In a recent interview, she explained her sense of urgency, claiming, "My gut says you're never going to get this opportunity again. And you don't want to turn around as an old woman and say, 'I didn't try.'"

Check out her website for more information about Elizabeth and her campaign!