A few posts below I referred to a National Journal story that pointed out the fractured nature of Obama's coalition because certain groups (Latino, women's rights, gays and Lesbians, and labor among others) are upset because he has not moved on issues important to them. I predicted he would probably start making at least token efforts to appease them. He did so to the GLBT community by issuing a directive that any hospital the receives federal funds allow full visitation right to same sex partners.
This seems to have been receive well by the community, though it is to early to tell if it repairs their relationship to Obama. It was simply executed -- I believe by an executive order though I don;t know for sure. It will also, I believe, be difficult to oppose even by staunch opponents of homosexuality because it'll just appear unseemly to not allow a person in a hospital the ability to see people they fell closest to. It's too early to judge but this seem to be an astute political move.
