Oh my. This Obama fellow is good. For the past few weeks President Barack Obama’s name has been an epithet on the lips of many gays and lesbians. From non-work on DADT to a  defense of DOMA that made  Rev. Pat Robertson sexually aroused, Obama’s White House has come under fire for not being the fierce advocate for the gay community as  promised in the campaign.

So as the discontent grew more furious and loud (heck even the MSM was reporting on it), what does Obama do? Today, he’ll sign a directive that will extend health benefits to a number of federal employees who are involved in same sex relationships.

Please. Please. I know this is minor at best, and that’s being kind. And to steal from Alan Van Capelle, the executive director of Empire State Pride Agenda, the move feels like the title of a Prince song.

“Welcome to 1999,” Van Capelle said. “How revolutionary of the White House to give benefits to same-sex couples, when two-thirds of conservative Wall Street are already doing it. What an achievement.”

Ahhh, but no matter what you might think of the president, here is one thing you have to acknowledge when you tangle with him: he’s a master at the political game. He offers a sop to the gay community, we get mad at said sop (as well we should), and those voters who are uneasy with gay and lesbian stuff  (unfortunately a majority) think Obama is one of them. Essentially it’s addition by subtraction.

Well played Mr. President. Well played.

UPDATE: Made a few changes in the story because the benefits that will be extended are not health nor pension.