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"Gay marriage" is, as Rush characterized it last week, a "gift from the heavens" to Bush. But what social conservatives need to realize is that Bush isn't going to go for a quick fix. There's no political advantage to that. This is going to drag out for several long, agonizing months. But during those months, Bush will use the issue to beat Kerry (or whoever) like a hot-pink, gold lamé-trimmed drum.

But the truth is, there is no quick fix. (Other than rolling over the way the country-clubbers would!) Bush is quite correct in calling for a Constitutional amendment. Under existing Constitutional law, there is no authority to ban gay marriage. Being grossed out by something doesn't translate into an ability to ban said activity. Just as the 18th Amendment was needed to ban alcoholic beverages, so to is an amendment needed to give the authority to regulate marriage.

Constitutional amendments need time to pass; and there's the rub. Not many social conservatives will have the patience to see this process run its course. They're fuming and want action NOW! Having Bush draw out the process for a few extra months won't help their demeanor. My only worry in all of this is that the social conservatives will lose perspective on this in the coming months; that their impatience will cause them to stay home come November.