From earlier posts, you're well aware that President Bush's recent support for an amendment banning gay marriage disappointed me. I thought that he made this decision primarily for political reasons.
The more that I read, however, the more I think that Bush will be hurt politically by this decision; not helped. The New Hampshire Union Leader has an article about how the amendment is viewed in its state. Seems that even among those who do wish to maintain marriage as "one man; one woman" - the amendment is not popular.
Key political findings are:
Among Republicans, 35 percent support gay marriage and 61 percent oppose it. But only 46 percent support a constitutional amendment, while 48 percent oppose it.
Among independents, 50 percent support gay marriage, 42 percent oppose it and 8 percent are neutral. But only 27 percent of independents favor a constitutional ban, 62 percent oppose it, and 12 percent are neutral.
Did Bush miscalculate people's values on this issue? Or does he, purportedly a states' rights man, really think that the marriage amendment is simply the right thing to do?
Why did he throw his support behind an amendment that may harm his chances to remain in office?
Peg: President Bush is not politically motivated on this issue any more than he was on the war in Iraq. Why do you assume that his motive is political in the former but not in the latter? As for support for the amendment, people aren't sure (yet) that it's necessary. Wait until someone marries in Massachusetts and moves to Iowa, Texas, or Georgia. Support for an amendment will be overwhelming.
Posted by: Keith Burgess-Jackson | Friday, February 27, 2004 at 01:50 PM