(Politico) — Washington Gov. Christine Groggier (D) defended President Obama’s record on gay rights, saying that the president was the “inspiration” for her state’s recent same-sex marriage legalization bill.

“I think we probably have succeeded as much as we have because of his leadership. He’s used the bully pulpit,” Gregoire said at the White House Friday. “He’s been the inspiration that allowed the state of Washington recognize that we need to have equality.”

“It’s because of what he’s been able to do that I actually think in large part we were able to achieve what we did. So I don’t criticize. To the contrary, I thank the president for his leadership on GLBT issues,” she told reporters after a meeting between Obama and Democratic governors.

Obama has long been on record opposing gay marriage, but has said recently that his position was ‘evolving.’ His administration, however, also opposes measures like California’s Prop 8 that deny existing benefits to gay couples.

On Friday’s “The Daily Rundown” on MSNBC, Charlie Cook of the famed The Cook Political Report offered his theory as to why Iowa seems to be tilting toward the Republicans in the upcoming election.

According to his co-guest David Drucker, a reporter for Roll Call, it stems from a dissatisfaction with Washington, particularly with ObamaCare. However, Cook says it is something more.

“Small towns — states with a large small town rural populations, Democrats in general, the president has had a really hard time,” Cook said. “I mean, we have kind of a metrosexual president … that doesn’t go over well in the small town. And it’s just cultural. It is what it is.”

Among some key subgroups, the story was similar — majorities favored legalization but it was far from a slam-dunk result. Fifty three percent of white voters supported legalization while 43 percent opposed it; 57 percent of independents back making gay marriage legal while 40 percent were opposed. Voters aged 40-49 narrowly support legalization (52 percent) while those between the ages of 50-64 narrowly oppose it.

On the other hand, African Americans, one of the main pillars of the President’s political coalition, remain decidedly skeptical about gay marriage. In the last year’s worth of Post-ABC data, just 42 percent said they support legalization while 55 percent oppose it.

Viewed through that lens, coming out in support of gay marriage looks like an unnecessary political risk for Obama.

Yes, it would clearly thrill a portion of his base (gays and lesbians) but it could alienate — at least in parts — another portion of his base (African Americans) that he desperately needs to win reelection this fall.

Kenyan Muslim leaders from the coast region have condemned President Barack Obama’s support of same sex marriages.

Speaking to the Nation in Mombasa, Council of Imams and Preachers Organising Secretary Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa accused President Obama of playing god by legalizing what “God Himself objects”.

“Simply because he has risen to be the President of a super power does not mean he can now start acting as God. He is nothing in the eyes of God and his plans will not succeed just like those who preceded him in such plans,” said Sheikh Khalifa.

He further accused the Kenya Human Rights Commission of propagating western values at the expense of religion by propagating for same sex marriages and abortion.

“God created man and woman so that we can procreate. How come we now want to behave worse than dogs who do not go for their own gender but know the difference between the two?” asked Sheikh Khalifa.

On Thursday, President Obama made history by firmly backing gay marriages after what he said was a long period of personal soul searching thereby sparkling instant speculations as to whether he had hindered his chances of winning a second term in November.