From The Guardian, 3/3/04:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1160765,00.html

Schwarzenegger's u-turn on gay marriages

Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
Wednesday March 3, 2004
The Guardian

The California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has surprised
political allies and foes by insisting he is not opposed to gay
marriages.

Mr Schwarzenegger chose the Jay Leno television show to reveal the
apparent change of heart that makes him the first major US political
figure to come out in favour of gay marriages.

Under persistent questioning, he said it would be "fine with me" if
California law was changed to permit same-sex marriages.

"I think those issues should be left to the state, so I have no use
for a constitutional amendment or change."

Those remarks are a pointed rebuff to George Bush's suggestion last
week that he would endorse a constitutional amendment defining
marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman.

His proposals have caused uproar, with critics objecting to federal
government interference in an area that has traditionally been left to
the jurisdiction of individual states.

Mr Schwarzenegger's remarks, on Monday evening, contradict his earlier
pronouncements.

A week ago he denounced San Francisco's mayor, Gavin Newsom, for
issuing same-sex marriage licences, arguing that it was illegal and
contradicted the constitution of the state.

He also suggested last week that the issuing of the licences could
spark a deluge of city hall-inspired disobedience.

"We cannot have, all of a sudden now, mayors go and hand out licences.
In San Francisco it's the licence for marriage of the same sex. Maybe
the next thing is another city that hands out licences for assault
weapons. And someone else hands out licences for selling drugs."

Although different in tone, his comments seemed to mirror those of
President Bush, who has attacked what he sees as the politically
inspired acts of courts in sanctioning gay marriages.

But in apparently changing his position, Mr Schwarzenegger has
attempted to bolster his image as a bridge-builder between left and
right, an ordinary amateur Hollywood politician who is against the
partisan deadlock many blame for California's problems.

He has distanced himself from the Republican establishment, which has
been critical of the gay marriages recently in an attempt to attack
the Democrats.

His u-turn has also, however, shown the Democratic establishment,
which has determinedly sat on the fence over the issue, to be timid.

Mr Schwarzenegger's comments came as he made a last attempt to
persuade California voters of all persuasions to approve two crucial
budget propositions, obliging the state to set a balanced budget, and
authorising a $15bn bond to cover the state's existing budget deficit.

Yesterday's vote was held on the same day as the Super Tuesday primary
elections.

He had succeeded in mobilising bipartisan support behind the
proposals, uniting Democratic and Republican luminaries in support of
his campaign.

And with the battle for the Democratic nomination proving lacklustre
in California, despite the state offering the largest number of
delegates to the party's convention, Mr Schwarzenegger's budget plans
have provided the only point of interest for many voters.

From The Guardian, 3/3/04:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1160765,00.html

Schwarzenegger's u-turn on gay marriages

Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
Wednesday March 3, 2004
The Guardian

The California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has surprised
political allies and foes by insisting he is not opposed to gay
marriages.