Like Lincoln did on the issue of slavery, Obama's views on marriage equality seems to be evolving

Gay bloggers had a sit down meeting with President Obama this week and one of them asked him this question: "So I just really want to know what is your position on same-sex marriage?"

I do not intend to make big news sitting here with the five of you, as wonderful as you guys are ... I think it’s a fair question to ask. I think that — I am a strong supporter of civil unions. As you say, I have been to this point unwilling to sign on to same-sex marriage primarily because of my understandings of the traditional definitions of marriage.

But I also think you’re right that attitudes evolve, including mine. And I think that it is an issue that I wrestle with and think about because I have a whole host of friends who are in gay partnerships. I have staff members who are in committed, monogamous relationships, who are raising children, who are wonderful parents.

And I care about them deeply. And so while I’m not prepared to reverse myself here, sitting in the Roosevelt Room at 3:30 in the afternoon, I think it’s fair to say that it’s something that I think a lot about. That’s probably the best you’ll do out of me today.