Obama Campaign Touts Support for Gay Marriage

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave to the crowd during a campaign rally at Virginia Commonwealth University.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's campaign is using his support of gay marriage to draw a contrast with Republican rival Mitt Romney.

The morning after Obama publically embraced same-sex marriage, his campaign released a web video titled "Mitt Romney: Backwards on Equality."

The video opens with Obama saying same-sex couples should be allowed to get married, followed by a clip of Romney saying Wednesday that he opposes gay marriage and favors rolling back some rights for same-sex couples.

[Photo Gallery: President Barack Obama's Re-election Campaign.]

The video also tries to portray Romney as out of touch with the majority of Americans, saying even former Republican President George W. Bush supported civil unions.

Obama aides hope Obama's support of gay marriage will energize Democrats, though they acknowledge the divisive social issue could hurt the president with socially conservative independent voters.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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