(snip)
Although Bush's action will likely shore up his voter base, some political experts wonder whether it will alienate moderate swing voters who sometimes tip the balance in elections.
"Seeing the president overplay his hand on social issues can push these people over the edge," said Patrick Guerriero, executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay political group that says 1 million gays and lesbians voted for Bush in 2000. "If you're out of work and you're a swing voter and you see the president talk about amending your sacred Constitution, you're probably saying, 'Why isn't he talking about jobs?' "
(snip)
Critics say Kerry and Edwards are trying to have it both ways. They say the candidates are trying to placate voters opposed to same-sex marriage while still hanging on to those who think changing the Constitution goes too far.
(snip)
Given the war in Iraq, the soaring federal budget deficit and an uncertain economic outlook, some political experts think gay marriage is destined to fizzle as an issue before November's election. Others aren't so sure. Bill McInturff, a GOP strategist, told Republicans in a memo that "like it or not, it strikes us this issue will be among the three or four which define the 2004 presidential election."
(snip)
Republicans in Congress are by no means united on the topic.
A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate and approval by 38 of the nation's 50 state legislatures. Both are tall orders. Rep. David Dreier, the San Dimas Republican who chairs the powerful House Rules Committee, doesn't like the idea of changing the Constitution.
(snip)
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