G.O.P. Tries to Use Marriage Ruling to Rally Base

[sabra]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/26/washington/26cnd-marriage.html?hp&ex=1161921600&en=ac60a5a80249aa4f&ei=5094&partner=homepage

G.O.P. Tries to Use Marriage Ruling to Rally Base

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 — The divisive debate over same-sex marriage, which played a prominent role in 2004 campaigns but this year largely faded from view, erupted anew today as President Bush and Republicans around the country tried to use a New Jersey court ruling to rally dispirited

Wednesday’s ruling, in which the New Jersey Supreme Court decided that gay couples are entitled to the same legal rights and financial benefits as heterosexual couples, had immediate ripple effects, especially in Senate races in some of the eight states where voters are considering constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage.

President Bush put a spotlight on the issue while campaigning in Iowa, which does not have a proposal on the ballot. With a Republican House candidate, Jeff Lamberti, by his side, Mr. Bush — who has not been talking about same-sex marriage in recent weeks — took pains to insert a reference into his standard stump speech warning that Democrats will raise taxes and make America less safe.

“Yesterday in New Jersey, we had another activist court issue a ruling that raises doubts about the institution of marriage,” Mr. Bush said at a luncheon at the Iowa State Fairgrounds that raised $400,000 for Mr. Lamberti.

[flamingyouth]

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