Obama says gay marriage ban would not pass constitutional muster

Washington, DC - President Barack Obama has said he cannot see a gay marriage ban passing constitutional muster.

Speaking to ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, Obama was asked whether gay men and lesbians had a constitutional right to marry.

"Well, I've gotta tell you that, in terms of practical politics, what I've seen is a healthy debate taking place state by state, and not every state has the exact same attitudes and cultural mores," Obama answered. "And I, you know, my thinking was that this is traditionally a state issue and that it will work itself out."

"On the other hand, what I also believe is that the core principle that people don't get discriminated against, that's one of our core values. And it's in our constitution."

Stephanopoulos pressed the president, asking if he could imagine a circumstance under which a state's gay marriage ban could pass constitutional muster.

"Well, I can't personally. I cannot," Obama said.

"That's part of the reason I said, ultimately, I think that same-sex couples should be able to marry. That's my personal position. And, frankly, that's the position that's reflected in the briefs that we filed in the Supreme Court," Obama added, referring to the Supreme Court case challenging Proposition 8, California's 2008 voter-approved amendment defining marriage solely as a heterosexual union.

Portions of the interview will be broadcast on Good Morning America and Nightline.