Outline – Culture wars 1) Gay marriages 2) Evolution 3) Abortion 4) Affirmative action

Obama‘s position on gay marriage  90‘s – Obama supports gay marriages in 1996 (IL Senate) X undecided in 1998  2004 – Obama supports only civil unions (U.S. Senate campaign)  2008 – Obama supports only civil unions, but also supports extension of gays in Cus  Obama administration:  2011 – repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell  No repeal of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)  2012 – Obama openly supported gay marriages Source: Washington Post, NYTimes

Gay Marriage in the U.S. Source: freedomtomarry.org

Public opinion in the U.S. Source: Nate Silver, Fivethirtyeight.com

Evolution vs. Intelligent design  Intelligent design – science ???  Current situation in states  Epperson v. Arkansas  Decision belongs to school boards

Evolution vs. Intelligent design state by state

Public opinion in the U.S.

Obama‘s possition on evolution  Supports teaching evolution  Against teaching intelligent design  No concrete steps  Decided by school boards.  Debate still in progress

Abortions  Roe v. Wade 1973 Right to privacy extended to women‘s decision to have an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy  Pro-Choice × Pro-Life  >2% => approx. 1 million/year  In 32 states Medicare coverage in cases f rape, incest or life endangerment  In 36 states parental approval for minor needed

Obama Pro-Choice „We must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a women‘s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broad principle: that governmet should not intrude on privat family matters. I remain commited to protecting a women‘s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right.“

 Contraceptives and morning-after pill without prescription  Contraception coveren by health plan  Obamacare (PPACA) -> DISPUTES Unspecified extra payment for elective abortions in the program Salary lower than 4× poverty level -> contribution from federal government => all taxpayers pay for elective abortions

Affirmative action  Precedent = Grutter v. Bollinger, 2003

Affirmative action  Future of affirmative action programs at public universities depends on the outcome of Fisher vs. University of Texas case Opinions  University: need to ensure diversity  Opponents: violation of 14 th amendment  Obama: supports University of Texas in the case X generally rather cautious approach  Supreme Court‘s swing vote = Anthony Kennedy

Affirmative action  Opinion poll on use of affirmative action programms in college admissions:

Sources:   /support-for-gay-marriage-outweighs-opposition- in-polls/ /support-for-gay-marriage-outweighs-opposition- in-polls/  vernment/where-obama-and-romney-stand-on- the-issues-from-abortion-and-economy-to-taxes- and-war/2012/11/02/56de e2-92f8- 7f9c4daf276a_story.html vernment/where-obama-and-romney-stand-on- the-issues-from-abortion-and-economy-to-taxes- and-war/2012/11/02/56de e2-92f8- 7f9c4daf276a_story.html

Sources  press.org/2003/05/14/conflicted-views- of-affirmative-action/ press.org/2003/05/14/conflicted-views- of-affirmative-action/  02/we-cam-assume-affirmative-action- is.html 02/we-cam-assume-affirmative-action- is.html  Need-to-Know-About/134912/ Need-to-Know-About/134912/