We're at war now, too. He could have come out in favor of this last May.
#2. I think many people, including President Bush, did not for a second believe the gay marriage issue would be pushed to the point where judges are willing to break the law.
Musgrave could see judges getting ready to stop state anti-gay marriage laws, like the one in Colorado, and she acted.
#3. That the president doesn't do things in YOUR timeframe in no way undermines his presidency or his leadership.
He did this in a politician's timeframe-- waiting until he was dragged kicking and screaming because he didn't want to deal with this in an election year. That's defensible, but it can be called what it is.
Some people would probably not like to have this come up in an election year, but it isn't President Bush. It is the RATS who don't want it, since they will have to choose between their constituents and the gay lobby. I fail to see why you think the President had to be forced to do this. I personally believe they have had that statement ready for a week. LOL!
You obviously don't understand that last year the American people were paying attention to Iraq and would have considered this a waste of time, thinking that nothing like gay marriage could happen.
But with Gavin Newsome's stupid blunder, we have been treated to two weeks of seeing the sights of the San Francisco clerk's office, and of course the media has gone for the most shocking pictures, which was unwittingly quite kind of them.
Now people who didn't really give this issue much thought will be on board and paying attention, which the democrats will absolutely hate; they cannot delay the amendment coming up in Congress, or we can hammer them with that. They will have to vote, THIS YEAR, and they aren't going to like that one bit.
If it passes by 2/3, we win. If it doesn't pass because of democrats, they will give justification for voting Republican in every Senate and Congressional race.
I do not think the President had to be dragged kicking and screaming to this at all. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he has been ready to go, looking for a good opportunity.