"We are delighted the president has stepped forward on this issue and
his announcement serves as a critical catalyst to energize and
organize those who will work diligently to ensure that marriage
remains an institution between one man and one woman," said Jay
Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, a
law firm founded by the Rev. Pat Robertson.
Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., a co-chairman of Bush's campaign in
California in 2000, said he doesn't support a constitutional
amendment. "I believe that this should go through the courts, and I
think that we're at a point where it's not necessary," he said.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the matter should be left to the
states, and Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., said changing the Constitution
should be a last resort on almost any issue.
With some conservatives wanting a broader approach than Bush supports,
and others opposing federalizing the issue, DeLay said it's "going to
take some time" to unify those groups and examine other options.
"Constitutional amendment _ I believe that is the ultimate remedy left
for the Congress," he said.
"We are looking at other ways of doing it."
The Log Cabin Republicans, a gay GOP group, worried that Bush risks
alienating the 1 million gays and lesbians who voted for him in 2000
by pushing for the constitutional amendment.
"We believe that this is a move to start a culture war, fueled and
pushed by the radical right, that will end up in George Bush's defeat,
and defeat for a lot of good Republicans who are with us on equality,"
Mark Mead, the group's political director, said in an interview with
AP Radio.
From The Bismarck Tribune, 2/25/04:
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2004/02/25/ap/Headlines/d80u9bmo0.txt
Congress Not Rushing Gay Marriage Ban
By JENNIFER LOVEN
WASHINGTON -
President Bush wants quick election-year enactment of a constitutional
amendment prohibiting gays from marrying each other, but Republicans
in Congress are not rushing to heed his call.
After Bush's announcement Tuesday, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay,
R-Texas, said it would take time to gauge the level of support in
Congress for a constitutional amendment.
He suggested the difficulty of passing one may cause lawmakers to take
a different approach to preserving marriage as a solely man-woman
union.
_____________________________________________________
Not a smart move, Karl.
Harry
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