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Creating a clear contrast on marriage equality

<p>President Obama is scheduled to sit down with ABC's Robin Roberts this afternoon, and will reportedly discuss his views on marriage rights

President Obama is scheduled to sit down with ABC's Robin Roberts this afternoon, and will reportedly discuss his views on marriage rights in more detail. Rumor has it, Obama will endorse marriage equality, concluding his "evolution" on the issue, but we do not yet know for sure.

In the meantime, his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, doesn't appear eager to discuss the matter, but he did answer some questions during an interview with a local affiliate in Colorado this morning.

Asked by Fox News's KDVR-TV about a bill that would have allowed civil unions for same-sex couples in Colorado, which died late Tuesday night, Mr. Romney reiterated his belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman."Well, when these issues were raised in my state of Massachusetts," he said, "I indicated my view, which is I do not favor marriage between people of the same gender, and I do not favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name. My view is the domestic partnership benefits, hospital visitation rights and the like are appropriate, but that the others are not."

What did Romney mean by "and the like" and "the others"? The campaign won't say.

Regardless, even as President Obama appears set to break new ground, Romney is now positioned to the right of Bush/Cheney on legal recognition of same-sex partnerships -- Dick Cheney endorsed marriage equality, and George W. Bush backed civil unions.

Yes, Bush was more progressive in 2004 than Romney is in 2012.

As the American mainstream becomes more progressive on these issues, Romney won't even back civil unions. He also opposed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," despite bipartisan support and the backing of America's military leadership, and has signed the National Organization for Marriage's odious pledge, committing Romney to supporting an anti-gay amendment to the U.S. Constitution, nominating federal judges who'll rule against marriage equality, and defending the Defense of Marriage Act.

The contrast between the two major-party candidates in 2012 couldn't be much greater.

Update: This afternoon, President Obama expressed his support for marriage equality.