Bush Says He Could Support Ban On Gay Marriage

AP ^ | 12/16/03

[11th Earl of Mar]

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) -

President Bush said Tuesday that he could support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

The Massachusetts Supreme Court last month struck down that state's ban on same-sex marriage, saying it is unconstitutional and giving state lawmakers six months to craft a way for gay couples to wed.

Bush has condemned the ruling before, citing his support for a federal definition of marriage as a solely man-woman union. But though he has said he would support whatever is "legally necessary to defend the sanctity of marriage," he and his advisers have shied away from specifically endorsing a constitutional amendment asserting that definition.

But on Tuesday, the president said he endorsed a constitutional amendment "which would honor marriage between a man and a woman." At the same time, however, he also seemed to leave the door open to different arrangements in different states.

Bush made the comments in an interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer, and the network released a transcript of the remarks.

"The position of this administration is that whatever legal arrangements people want to make, they're allowed to make, so long as it's embraced by the state or at the state level," he told Sawyer.

"I do believe in the sanctity of marriage," he added. "It's an important differentiation, but I don't see that as conflict with being a tolerant person or an understanding person."

The president also said that he - like any politician - could lose his next run for office, next year's bid for a second term in the White House.

"Everybody's beatable in a democracy," Bush said. "And that's the great thing about a democracy. People get to make that decision. I know how I'm voting."

Bush said he has not decided who would be in his Cabinet and other top administration posts - other than retaining Vice President Dick Cheney - if he is "fortunate enough" to win.

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[VulgarWit]

Wow... even trying as hard as I'm sure they did they weren't able to spin his comments off into "I hate gay people..."

[Drango]

YES! Let the culture war begin, and may God Bless America.

[RJCogburn]

This is a subject not appropriate for a constitutional amendment. More like political posturing.

What ever happened to that flag burning amendment anyhow?

[mrmeyer]

The president COULD decide to let the assault weapons ban die, he COULD decide to stop letting millions of illegals pour into our country. Could, would, should.... talk is cheap.

[Callahan]

"The position of this administration is that whatever legal arrangements people want to make, they're allowed to make, so long as it's embraced by the state or at the state level," he told Sawyer. How does that square with supporting an amendment to the constitution? Personally, I think the FMA is a bad idea.

[Akira]

Agreed. I believe, as any dictionary will tell you, that marriage is between a man and a woman. Period. To make it a constitutional amendment is a joke.

[xzins]

I don't mind it being a constitutional amendment.

However, I think the real problem is life-tenure and appointment of Scotus and other justices.

I'm in favor of a constitutional amendment in which we change to an elective judiciary with a 6 year renewable term. They are acting on political whim anymore, anyway. They might as well face political consequences.

The people can decide their judges as well as they can decide their other officials.

[knak]

Cool. I wish it didn't have to come to this, but I see no other way of stopping the states from doing it.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I agree with you and RJ. But marriage is different.

Why should we let five Massachusetts judges make it law in their state, thus Constitutionally requiring the other 49 states to recognize it?

[Akira]

I just don't buy that. There's nothing that says a marriage constituted in Mass. has to be recognized in Texas, is there? Mass. won't recognize a CCW permit issued in Texas, no matter how much I complain. States laws are states laws, are they not?

I know that this will tie up many courts, and I've heard all of the nightmare scenarios involving divorce, complex legalities, etc. I'm no lawyer. But I just can't bring my federalist centered brain to embrace this one.

[glock rocks]

I'd like him to publicly state that he'd support an amendment supporting the God given individual right to keep and bear arms.

[waterstraat]

The president COULD decide to let the assault weapons ban die, he COULD decide to stop letting millions of illegals pour into our country.

Actually, right to bear arms, and protecting our borders, is more important to me than having the federal government worrying about/checking what people do in their own bedrooms.

[waterstraat]

I'd like him to publicly state that he'd support an amendment supporting the God given individual right to keep and bear arms.

He already pretty much said that he would support and sign gun control laws if they reached his desk, so there is not much hope of him ever supporting the second ammendment in my opinion.

[jmcclain19]

How do we have one thread after another

Bush could back a Gay Marriage Ban

Bush opens door to same sex marriages

Pointing fingers in opposite directions folks....

[11th Earl of Mar]

If you and I legally become business partners in Texas, other states are constitutionally required to recognize that partership.

[Akira]

Under what federal law? Does the federal law which says "business partners" must be treated equally in all states also cover this type of partner? I can't believe it does, or we would have all heard of it.

In the end, it's just not a matter that care much about personally. I just don't like the FMA idea.

I don't think states even HAVE to recognize drivers licenses from other states, do they? When California gave DLs to illegals, didn't some states (Colorado?) threaten to cease recognizing California DLs?

[america-rules]

Darn headline writers?

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual agenda ping - Bush says the right thing. Plans to do the right thing.

(Ping me if you want on or off the Homosexual Agenda ping list!)

[No Blue States]

Sounds good to me. I am all for it if thats what it takes to stop the gay agenda moving forward in Texas.