The president strongly believes that marriage in this country ought to be between a man and a woman. He also believes it is something that ought to be decided by the people. He doesn't believe that judges ought to impose their will on the people.

In this quote, Ken Mehlman articulates the president's stance on marriage, specifically advocating for the belief that it should be between a man and a woman. This reflects a conservative view that aligns with traditional definitions of marriage, where he positions the president as someone who sees marriage in strictly heteronormative terms. Mehlman emphasizes that the decision on this issue should be left to the people through the democratic process, rather than being determined by judges or the judicial system.

Mehlman’s statement also highlights the president’s belief in democracy and the principle that social issues like marriage should be decided by the citizens through voting, rather than being imposed by the judiciary. This perspective is rooted in a constitutional view that major societal decisions should be made by the public or their elected representatives, not unelected judges who might interpret the law in ways that some believe don't reflect the will of the majority.

The quote implicitly critiques the role of judicial activism, where some argue that judges have too much power in making decisions on controversial topics like same-sex marriage. By stating that judges should not "impose their will on the people," Mehlman underscores the conservative belief in popular sovereignty, where the majority opinion is paramount in deciding laws that affect society.

Ultimately, Mehlman’s words encapsulate a broader political philosophy that prioritizes the democratic process over judicial authority when it comes to defining critical social issues like marriage. This view, common among those who favor more traditional views on marriage, stresses the idea that any change to the definition of marriage should come through legislative action rather than court rulings.