WASHINGTON (AP) — The potential Democratic presidential candidates who support gay marriage now include Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The former first lady and Secretary of State made the announcement in an online video released today by the gay rights advocacy group Human Rights Campaign. She says in the video that gays and lesbians are "full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship."
The announcement is certain to fuel the speculation that she's considering another run for president in 2016. Other possible contenders -- including Vice President Joe Biden, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley -- support the right of same-sex couples to marry.
The White House is welcoming Clinton's announcement, saying it means that her views on the issue are now in line with those of President Barack Obama. During the 2008 campaign, both Democrats supported civil unions for gay couples, but not same-sex marriage. In the lead-up to last year's election, Obama announced his support for gay marriage.
The GOP officially opposes gay marriage, through several high profile Republicans have publicly supported the right of same-sex couples to wed. On Friday, Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio became the first Republican senator to announce his support for gay marriage, saying he'd had a change of heart after learning that his son is gay.
