Watching President Obama addressing Notre Dame, it seems impossible to envision him ever losing an election. He is so smooth and yet his smoothness is heartfelt. He really sells you on the idea of unity. He also—as he has done in most of his major addresses I can remember—mentioned gay issues in the context of his remarks on our common ground. He said both gay activists and Evangelicals can share a common revulsion for the ravages of HIV/AIDS while having very different perspectives.

In WeHo, where I am for work.

The most powerful aspect of his speech was the story of the Civil Rights Act, which identified the only living member of the commission responsible for recommending the principles that made up the act as a Notre Dame priest. Listening to his passionate remarks on the subject of our common ground and our equal rights, I could not help but at first feel disappointed that he has so far played it safe on gay issues. However, I came away feeling more certain than ever that far from needing to evolve (or graduate) on gay issues, he has already connected those dots in his head, and it is only a political matter of timing.

Is that delusional or blind faith? Nope. Just my educated read on this person. I hope I'm right.

UPDATE: I'm not sure if political timing can ever be a good thing when people like this are being discharged from the military on a regular basis in the meantime. I think President Obama needs to step forward on Don't Ask, Don't Tell and instruct his mouthpiece to Don't Make Excuses.