Bush for Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage-Source

[ronnykmarshall]

<snip>

Bay Buchanan, sister of former Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan (news - web sites), told Reuters she was one of several conservatives who heard the message from political director Karl Rove two weeks ago.


"We were told by Karl Rove that the president would support the constitutional amendment -- not just that he would endorse it but also that he would fight for it," Buchanan said.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&u=/nm/20040219/pl_nm/bush_gays_dc_9

[ronnykmarshall]

1. This just in from Log Cabin

<cue crickets chirping>

[skippysmom]

2. So come out and say it, Georgie

Let the country see what a homophobic fool you are.

[saigon68]

22. HOMO-PHOBIA new Washington Chic

FROM YAHOO

Dismal Six Weeks for Bush Has Supporters Edgy

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20040219/ts_nm/campaign_bush_stride_dc



Bush's biggest immediate decision is when to publicly embrace a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and whether he should also come out against allowing same-sex couples to have civil unions that give them many of the same rights as married people.

Republican sources said Bush's political adviser Karl Rove has assured leading conservatives the president will soon give his backing to a constitutional amendment.

"This is absolutely the number one issue for conservatives and the sooner Bush gets out there the more he will energize his support," said Appell.

My take:

You gotta hand it to this fine southern family (Shrub Poppy and Jebby) their prejudices are impeccable-- only 60 years ago or so they championed laws preventing "darkies" from marrying white women

[ronnykmarshall]

3. This just in from Mary Cheney

<cue crickets chirping>

[Newsjock]

4. Who will be first ...

... to apply for asylum in Canada (or some other civilized nation)?

[ronnykmarshall]

5. They'll have to drag me out of this country

I'm not going to leave.

[David__77]

17. Stay and fight!

We cannot flee, thinking only of personal comfort. This is a long-term struggle that requires long-term commitment.

[Cary]

6. What's with these Pukes?

I'm missing something here.

This is the party that's supposed to be fiscally conservative, right? Smaller government and all of that?

Look at what they spend our tax dollars on! How much is the effort to amend the Constitution going to cost?

Is this good government?

[Mountainman]

7. I think this is a struggle to hold onto power by the right.

I think the right feels if they lose the gay marriage battle they will have lost the cultural war.

If society no longer supports the right's anti gay stand then the right will no longer be a relevant player in forming social policy.

[lovedems]

8. What does it take for a constitutional amendment?

Isn't it something like 2/3 of both house and senate and 36 states signing on?

I don't know how that would happen. Is this just like the immigration reform? Support it knowing it won't pass? Polls show that a majority don't want an amendment to the constitution so will the states go against their citizens?

Just wondering.

[SOS]

21. Correct

2/3 in both House and Senate and 38 states to ratify.
Will never happen. Won't get 66 votes in the Senate.
So Bush is safe. He can pander to the right-wing base and then blame the Senate. We know he always blames others for his failures.

[bushisanidiot]

9. The Repukes Keep Pushing This Issue. I Wouldn't Be Surprised if they

were the ones behind what's been going on in SF and Mass.. they want the public "scared to death" that the homo's are coming after our children. They create the issue, stir the pot and bank on collecting votes from those they've worked up into a frenzy.

It'll backfire though, because most americans do NOT want the Constitution changed simply in order to deny marriage rights to a large class of people. That's NOT the type of thinking this country was founded on.

[underpants]

15. Most Americans will think we have more important things to worry about

This will go down like the Huh? steroid in the SOTU thing.

I think W is trying to sure up his base especially in light of the immigration bill, the deficit, and the Medicare bill being 35% higher than they reported (and they knew it).

BTW-"we heard from Karl Rove...." can't the man speak for himself?

[BadGimp]

20. me thinks you are hitting the nail on the head...however

What better a way to distract people from the economy and the quagmire in Iraq/Afghanistan?

It's always better to use FEAR as a wedge right? Think terror alerts. These are Moral Alerts. Same effect.

I must admit that I admire the brilliance of their strategy.

Unlike you bushisanidiot and many others, I do not think this will backfire. In fact I think it will be a big win for them. Far bigger than most people would predict.

I am reminded of the OJ trial. All the smart folks in my office all were predicting a Guilty verdict. Yet I noticed all the knucle draggers knew without a doubt it would be Not Guilty. I started asking them what they were basing their assumptions on...not a one could tell me. They just knew. I mean they knew at a deep conviction level. It's like that with stupid people (the majority of the US population). They don't think through these things they simply react to largely if not always emotionally charged messages and issues. Rove gets it.

And the DEMs had beter get it or we will be obliterated at the polls as a result.

I don;t know the most effective response I just know the pre-emptive attack being launched is shaping up to be a windfall for the GOP.

I wanna puke now...

[icymist]

24. Yeah, this issue has the double effect

of chumming up to the Christian right and as a distraction. The one thing I do disagree with is your assumption that the majority of the American people are stupid. If you recall, more people voted for Gore than for Bush. You may, however, call the majority of people in the media as stupid! :)

[GRClarkesq]

10. Bush will be compelled to support the amendment

I dont think he really wants to since there is no electoral advantage in doing so, BUT

the religious right will stop showing up at the polls if he does not deliver on the social issues. Too many of his base unhappy about the fiscal issues.

The FMA has no shot anyway.

[triguy46]

11. Sanctity like this?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A35297-2003Dec27¬Found=true

Yes, we must protect ourselves from the threats to marriage!! ("wink, wink, nudge, nudge. She's a goer, eh, your wife, a goer, yes???"

Obvious that the issue of gay marriage has driven the Bushes over the edge.

[saigon68]

13. Welcome to DU triguy46

:-) :-)

[callous taoboy]

12. let's have a constitutional amendment

barring DUMBASSES from holding public office!!!

[Art_from_Ark]

26. If your proposed amendment were to pass,

all the Repugs would have to resign en masse

[ronatchig]

14. A good strategic mistake for the fools

I am sure there are millions of Americans who have had the same discussion my wife and I have had about marriage for gays.
Basically the consensus here is , in what way does the marriage of homosexuals affect our lives together?,
If two people love one another and want to publicly avow their love, what harm is there? If they want to unite their houses and properties , what harm? the rational 70% (or so) makes this a LOSER issue for the thugs imho.

[underpants]

16. Plus the "Hey! psst we lost two more today in Iraq" thing

Welcome to DU :hi:

you are right about the fact that it makes no difference to most people.

[indepat]

18. Just another assault on our Constitution. Are we going to end up

with fifty or more 'thou shall not' amendments just to keep the reichous right happy?

[sinkingfeeling]

19. Look, if we're going to have Constitutional amendment on marriage..

let's do it right. I want to add that each man or woman is allowed but ONE marriage per lifetime. No more divorces, annulments, 'blended' families, step-children, etc. If you tie the knot, it's for life....even if you can't stand the person and have them 'offed', you stil won't be able to marry again. If you want the government to define marriage and restrict it to a 'one man and one woman' only, then let's all get behind the effort and really protect the 'sanctity' of said marriage. Can you image who all would jump on this bandwagon?

[indepat]

28. Well, that would probably work for my parents at 70+ years on their first

and only marriage.

[Cptn Kirk]

23. Why is this being reported now?

He stated this in his state of the union. Yahoo news is a little slow...

[newyawker99]

29. Hi Cptn Kirk!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Slice]

25. Yeah

Like that's a surprise. Not.

[scarface2004]

27. whatever george!

why don t you just mail it in ok! that s a winning issue you got there you moron!!