It is true that e-mails and other documents have surfaced confirming that conservative groups and talk-radio hosts have been fanning the flames of discontent.
He said the Vatican's decision to accept Williamson was part of its desire to normalize relations with the ultra-conservative group, and had nothing to do with the bishop's personal views.
James Dobson, the former head of Focus on the Family, a social conservative group, used to berate Mr Obama for his "fruitcake" ideas.
The makeshift altar was promptly surrounded by a ring of police buses and later destroyed by conservative groups.
He remains a hero to many red shirts, who are mostly rural and working-class, in contrast to the genteel ranks of the conservative groups.
Known as "Proposition 8," the proposal was trumpeted by conservative groups as the people's way of overturning the legalization of gay marriage back in May.