Video: Huckabee blasts Obama decision on Defense of Marriage Act

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Video: Huckabee blasts Obama decision on Defense of Marriage Act

Possible GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee blasted the Obama administration's decision to stop defending the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of gay marriage.

Michael Bonfigli / Special to the 海角大神 Science Monitor

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee spoke at a Monitor Luncheon in Washington on Feb. 23. Governor Huckabee said he was 'deeply disappointed' with the decision of the Obama administration to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court.

By Dave Cook Staff writer

Feb. 23, 2011, 9:16 p.m. ET | Washington

Potential Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee blasted the Obama administration's decision to stop defending the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, a law that bans federal recognition of gay marriage.

Speaking at a Monitor-sponsored gathering for political reporters on Wednesday, the former Arkansas governor and current Fox News Channel host said, 鈥淚 am deeply disappointed. And they are clearly out of sync with the public.鈥�

Mr. Huckabee noted that 鈥�33 states have now had on the ballot for the people to make a decision whether or not marriage should mean something other than a man and a woman life-time relationship. Thirty-three states have had it on the ballot. Thirty-three states, including very liberal states like California and Maine, have affirmed traditional marriage.鈥�

The Justice Department announced the policy shift Wednesday, saying President Obama had decided the 15-year-old Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was legally indefensible. White House spokesman Jay Carney said Mr. Obama is still 鈥済rappling鈥� with his own views about whether gays should be allowed to marry, the Associated Press reported.

Huckabee was caustic about the president鈥檚 decision. 鈥淪o what does the president believe he knows that citizens in all these other states don鈥檛?鈥� Huckabee asked.