It's wedge issue time, where you try to force your opponent into a taking a stand on an uncomfortable issue. But will this one backfire...since the administration's problem now is not with its base but in adding votes to its base? We'll see but the scene is set:
- Senate Republicans announced on Friday they will seek a vote to ban same-sex marriage next month, forcing Democrats to stake out positions just weeks before their presidential nominating convention.
While many Republicans admit they lack the votes to pass the proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Democrats charge they are pushing the ban largely to rally the Republicans' conservative base and divide voters.
"We don't consider this as a divisive issue," Sen. Wayne Allard, a Colorado Republican, said in rejecting such criticism at a Capitol Hill news conference.
Of course. And French Fries, mashed potatoes, bread and pizza don't violate the Atkins diet...More:
- "Support for this amendment comes from a cross-section of America," said Allard, chief sponsor of the measure, which would define marriage as a union strictly between a man and a woman.
"We didn't pick this battle," added Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. "This was thrust upon us" by activist judges and officials in Massachusetts and California, two of the nation's most liberal states.
It'll be interesting to see how this plays out...
We already have a Defense of Marriage act, signed by Clinton.
The Republicans are attempting to put Kerry's back up against the wall on the issue, force him to either take a stand or look like a waffler. Kerry's going to have to dance, and do his best to avoid taking a stand since any choice he makes will hurt him. But then not taking a stance will hurt him too.
Complicated game, politics.
Hopefully this will be the FMA supporters' version of the Charge of the Light Brigade and this whole amendment business will die away. A solid defeat ought to put a stake the the FMA for good (of course, on the other hand, if they come very very close to passing it, it will give the issue continued life).
You mean to tell me that there isn't a SINGLE DEMOCRAT who can convincingly articulate the reasons why s/he would vote against this? If that is true then they deserve whatever they get.
There are a lot of Republicans in the House hoping it fails in the Senate, not just so that the House doesn't have to deal with it, but because they want it dead... here's hoping.
It's dumb for either side to be "rallying the troops" at this point. The red meat it takes to do so just alienates the middle, and the middle is all that's at play when you're as polarized as we are. I grade this one an F, even though I agree with their position. Better to wait a bit.
Hmmm. A Defense of Marriage Amendment vote in July is going to alienate swing voters in November.
Well, I suppose if it were to pass, it might. Anybody here really think that's a risk, with this Senate? Hell, even most Republican Senators would have a hard time taking a stand in favor of daily sunrises and goodnight hugs from Mom.
Four months out, it's still valid to make sure the voter base is loyal and energized going into convention season. Saying Bush needs to turn instead to non-base voters is just a leetle premature.
It is a bit of raw politics, but the ban on gay marriage, as a thing, does have support of a very broad cross-section of the American people. The amendment will garner majority support (including a large number of Democrats), but will fail to get the required 2/3 in favor to send it to the States.
This will work to the benefit of the GOP - both in putting Kerry on the social-issue defensive and in drawing the Congressional battle lines quite starkly while at the same time putting conservative Christians into overdrive for the fall.
but the ban on gay marriage, as a thing, does have support of a very broad cross-section of the American people
So you say. But of course you have a recent poll to back this statement up, Mark. I bet all that coverage of those joyful, smiling, gay couples musta melted a heart or two by now.
Just a bit of advice, keep your crazies in the closet: mainstream America doesn't like them.
The thing is, a lot of people do not joyously approve of gay marriage -- it gives many people the willies -- but many of these people are very hestant to put something like this in the Constitution.
It's despicable and I'm against it. And I agree with Ara Rubyan on this: If the Democrats don't have the guts to stand against this and to articulate their stand to the voters, then they deserve to lose.
And, yes, I am dogmatic and intolerant -- proudly.
The report is inaccurate. It ought to have read: "SOME Senate Republicans announced on Friday they will seek a vote to ban same-sex marriage next month..." or: "...There is A CERTAIN SEGMENT within the G.O.P. who want this Anti-Marriage Amendment..."
Worded as it is, it falsely gives the impression that _all_ Republicans are anti-homosexual, which is most certainly _NOT_ true, e.g., the Log Cabin Republicans, the Republican Unity Coalition.
Anyway, I'm glad this is coming to a vote now. Let everyone show his or her true colors. Let everyone know where he or she stands on this crucial issue. Let the battle begin. Bring it on! Let's roll!
Max M,
Lets just say that I live in Las Vegas...Nevada; home of legalised gambling and prostitution, a continuing laboratory for the eventual legalisation of drugs (we're working on it - though its probably still a few more election cycles away)...who's unofficial motto is "do whatever you want, just don't bother the other gamblers"...we voted 60%+ twice to ban gay marriage....Hawaii, California, same thing...these are hardly bible-belt bastions, you know?
Gay marriage - whatever anyone thinks of it, its something that is just not wanted; maybe someday, but not right now...and the attempts by the pro-gay marriage zealots to do an end-run around the constitution via the Courts is creating a backlash...
Steven,
Actually, seeing as there is a war on, I'd prefer this and other contentious issues were just placed into deep-freeze, at least until we've got a clearer picture of how long the war will last...there's just entirely too much "9/10" about issues like these...sure, they're important, but I do wish that we, as a people, could just call time-out on the culture wars and leave things be for a bit...
Our enemies will cut all our throats if they get the chance; from the most ardent gay-rights supporter to the most ardent conservative Christian...we're all infidels in their sick eyes...so lets concentrate on the really important issue.
I'm with Mark: I want to live. But of course I think the best way for us to stay alive is to re-elect Bush. So I'm not so sure I'm against flushing Kerry out on this issue.
The country isn't quite ready yet for gay marriage. Which is a shame on one level. OTOH, gay men and lesbians have made absolutely stunning progress over the past 20-30 years, in terms of social acceptance. The glass is half full.
Mark and Atilla Girl:
You have a point. I'm for letting each state decide. If some insane federal judge tries to force a state to recognize same-sex marriage, then I would support the amendment proposed by Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) to _explicitly_ leave it to each state to define or recognize marriage as it sees fit. Divorce also. A state should have the right to refuse to grant or recognize divorces. Myself, I'd like to see more states offer "covenant" or "total commitment" marriages with no option for divorce.
What I absolutely and uncompromisingly oppose is that Musgrave amendment, the FMA, that would ban same-sex marriage in every state whether the majority there wants it or not. I'm against that!
What the heck is wrong with wedge issues in general??!!
You guys actually WANT the elections to be decided by hair?
And another thing...
What makes anyone think that Kerry would actually show up to vote? He's missed 88% of votes so far this year.
http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/23111.htm