Pat Cadell had an interesting take on this:
It was directed at preventing the socially conservative democrats in the hard core base, Blacks and Hispanics, from staying home. He suggested the Dems are totally panicked over this,especially in Ohio and Missouri, which is why they sent out Kerry, Sharpton and Jesse to Black churches to tell them to ignore the gay marriage issue because it doesn't directly concern them.
This is the sleeper issue of the campaign. This is not a wedge issue, and the Dems know it. Every time the gay marriage issue comes up, it is roundly defeated with more than 70% voting against.
Pat Cadell is one smart Dem, and an honest one to boot, and one of the smartest people in his party. The Democrat party left him, along with Zell Miller, Ed Koch, and yes, Joe Lieberman.
Right, so the Kerry's hope to get the lunch pail Dems and African-Americans to come out and vote for the more pro-homosexual marriage ticket?
Cadell's explanation makes sense, although Kerry will end up losing far more votes than he hoped to shore up.