Should the President Weigh in on Marriage Amendment Debate?

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama’s Minnesota campaign staked out its opposition to a proposed state constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and a woman.

"While the President does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples," said Kristen Sosanie, spokeswoman for the Obama for America - Minnesota campaign. "That's what the Minnesota ballot initiative would do - it would single out and discriminate against committed gay and lesbian couples - and that's why the President does not support it."

The topic was last year when lawmakers argued over whether to put the question on the 2012 ballot. But it is also a question about the state constitution, not the federal Constitution. Obama also joined in on a similar debate in North Carolina when his campaign issued a nearly identical statement opposing a measure that would ban same-sex marriages and civil unions there.

Patch wants to know whether you think this is an appropriate role for the president. Should a presidential campaign weigh in on a state issue? Does it make a difference that the president’s Minnesota campaign made the statement? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

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