President Obama's election-year position on gay marriage came under new scrutiny on Monday -- following mixed signals from top members of his administration.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan broke rank, stating his support for same-sex marriage one day after Vice President Joe Biden did the same on national television.

Obama aides say the remarks signal individual viewpoints and his position is "evolving."

Joe Davidson, Federal Diary columnist for the Washington Post, offered analysis on the civil rights debate and how it applies to federal workers.