If President Bush actually said what the article alleges he said, his statement cannot be blamed on MSM misrepresentation. The last thing Bush needs is to depress voter turnout among social conservatives. "Civil unions" give the blessing of the state to perversion and immorality.
They are also unavoidable, as it's far too late in the game politically to stop them. Bush, the practical politician, realizes this. He also realizes that the existence of civil unions makes a ban on gay marriage more palatable to a lot of moderate voters than it would be if there were no alternatives.
alot of people are getting really bent out of shape on this thread over this issue...this will NOT depress voter turn out from the conservatives; their alternative is a candidate who will most likely endorse GAY MARRIAGE!! his wife even says her first order in the WH is to bring gay life more into the mainstream or words to that affect.
leaving civil unions to the states is a good idea. period. this will NOT backfire on GWB.