LOS ANGELES -- President Barack Obama is telling major Hollywood donors that his decision to support same-sex marriage is a logical extension of where he believes America ought to be.

Obama also says that the issue illustrates the difference in visions for the country between himself and Republicans.

Obama addressed about 150 top-dollar supporters Thursday night at actor George Clooney's Tudor-style canyon home in the Studio City area of Los Angeles

The president's remarks about his gay marriage stance were brief and oblique, without ever mentioned the word marriage.

Obama began his remarks by simply saying: "Obviously, yesterday we made some news." That drew the most enthusiastic applause of the evening.