Romney was quick to voice his opposition to Obama's stance.
"I have the same view on marriage that I had when I was governor and that I've expressed many times," he said at a May 9 campaign event in Oklahoma. "I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman."
He explained that states can "make decisions with regards to domestic partnership benefits, such as hospital visitation rights," but "marriage itself is a relationship between a man and a woman."
Acknowledging that the issue is "a very tender and sensitive" one about which "other people have differing views," Romney reiterated his own conviction, which he has held "since running for office."
Several political commentators have suggested that Obama's support for "gay marriage" does not reflect the views of the American people and could have a significant political impact in the November 6, 2012 election.
"Marriage was created long before any government came into existence," said Catholic Advocate president Matt Smith.
He warned that if Obama's advocacy for same-sex "marriage" succeeds, "Catholic institutions could be forced once again to violate our beliefs."
"Many faithful Catholics were fooled by clever political rhetoric in 2008," added Smith. "This year, the anti-Catholic record of the Obama administration should inform their vote."
So far, 30 states have passed constitutional amendments banning "gay marriage," including North Carolina, where voters approved such a measure by an overwhelming margin on May 8.
Tony Perkins, president of the D.C.-based Family Research Council, pointed to the recent North Carolina vote as evidence that "redefining marriage remains outside the mainstream of American politics, especially in the critical battleground states and among minority voters."
He observed that the North Carolina amendment received over 60 percent of the vote in majority-black counties.
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A Pew Research Center survey in April 2012 found that only 39 percent of African Americans are in favor of "gay marriage."
Perkins noted that 10 of 16 key battleground states have passed amendments to protect marriage. He said that Obama's announcement "ensures that marriage will again be a major issue in the presidential election."
Michelle La Rosa is deputy editor-in-chief of Catholic News Agency. She has worked for CNA since 2011. She studied political philosophy and journalism at the University of Dallas.