I knew as soon as he released his affirmation to the public that it would be taken negatively on all sides.  I do not think he did this to gain votes.  In fact, I wish he had waited until after the election to state how he feels about this because it was such a risky thing to do.  However, I do not believe that he said what he did for any other reason than it is what he beleives in his heart.  He has said for some time now that he is evolving on this issue, and I understand that because I have also gone through many stages in my own evolvement and reached the same conclusion, which is that people should be free to love who they love, no matter how others feel about it, and that since they are already forming commited relationships that include rasing families, they should be afforded the same rights and privileges as any other family unit.  I think the sincerity of his statement is enhanced because anyone of a modicum of intelligence can see that to make such a statement only months before the election was a big risk, but he was true to his heart and soul and willing to share it because it was what he felt was right.  God bless President Obama, the most honest president I have seen in my lifetime.  And haters be damned if you don't get this or if you just can't resist one more chance to belittle this kind and loving man!