Analysis: Gay Marriage Back as Campaign Issue

Associated Press ^ | May 15, 2008 | LIZ SIDOTI

[Free ThinkerNY]

WASHINGTON - A California Supreme Court decision clearing the way for gay marriages in the state injects an element of uncertainty into a presidential race in which the Iraq war and the sputtering economy have largely overshadowed social issues.

John McCain, the GOP nominee-in-waiting whose position on the issue rankles the Republican Party's conservative base, sought to strike a delicate balance to the Thursday ruling.

He "supports the right of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution sanctioning the union between a man and a woman, just as he did in his home state of Arizona," his campaign said in response. "John McCain doesn't believe judges should be making these decisions."

McCain rejected the will of the state's high court even as he tried to maintain his long-held stance that the issue should be left to the states. He suggested that he backs an effort by California's religious conservatives to put a constitutional amendment defining marriage as solely between a man and a woman on the November ballot.

The Arizona senator opposes gay marriage but, in a break with the GOP's right flank, he also opposes a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions on grounds that states traditionally have decided the issue. McCain did work to ban gay marriage in Arizona, campaigning for a ballot measure there in 2006. The measure failed.

[Rennes Templar]

McCain can get a lot of mileage out of this if he plays it right.

[Travis McGee]

This is not a comfy fence to straddle, Mr. Straight Talk.

Pick a side.

[Mrs.Z]

This could also help the down ticket races.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Lots of people have tried to straddle the fence on this issue. For example, many have said they oppose gay marriage, but also oppose a constitutional amendment because it’s not needed. These people say that the law already defines marriage so an amendment is divisive and has no practical effect. But as we see in California, activist judges can overturn the existing marriage laws. In California, either there will be an amendment defining marriage, or there will be same-sex marriage; there is no longer any middle ground on the issue.

[RetiredArmy]

He "supports the right of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution sanctioning the union between a man and a woman, just as he did in his home state of Arizona," his campaign said in response. "John McCain doesn't believe judges should be making these decisions."

So, McScream is a COWARD. He will not come right out and say he APPROVES OF FAG MARRIAGE! The coward. He knows the second he says that, 100% of the conservative base is GONE!!! He will never get my vote. Hell can freeze over, I will not vote for the pig.

[paudio]

Did McCain ever say that he supports gay marriage?

[television is just wrong]

I can’t recall him ever taking a side with gayness issue.

[rabidralph]

He hasn’t played anything right so far, why would he start now?

[Aunt Polgara]

It’s my understanding that here in CA, a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is headed for the Nov. ballot. The signatures are being counted as we type.

One good thing about it. It will really turn out the conservatives who have been threatening to stay home on election day, and we all know, McCain needs all the help he can get, even if CA is sure to go to the Dems as usual.

[Unam Sanctam]

he also opposes a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions on grounds that states traditionally have decided the issue.

But activist judges can impose it at the Federal level just as well as the state level, so a federal constitutional amendment is necessary.

[SuziQ]

He "supports the right of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution sanctioning the union between a man and a woman, just as he did in his home state of Arizona," his campaign said in response. "John McCain doesn't believe judges should be making these decisions."

Doesn't sound like he's "striking a delicate balance" to me. He's emphatically stating that Judges should NOT legislate from the bench in an effort to thwart the will of the people! This is exactly what happened in MA. The Supreme Judicial Court moved in when folks were trying to get the issue on the ballot, and created a 'right' to 'homosexual marriage'. We've been trying to get a referendum to enact a Constitutional Amendment making marriage between one man and one women, but in order to get that on the ballot, it has to be approved by the legislature. We almost had it, until a few Democrat legislators,undoubtedly bribed by the new Democrat governor, voted against allowing it, because all the Dem leaders, and homosexual activists, knew how the vote would go.

[RetiredArmy]

He’s a liberal ain’t he?

[goldstategop]

John McCain wants to leave marriage to the states - to liberals. That's another reason he isn't getting my vote this fall.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus