Why? Bush is saying let the voters of each state decide how to resolve this matter. He's not promoting civil unions here. What is wrong with Bush's position?
Mr. Bush has previously said that states should be permitted to allow same-sex unions, even though White House officials have said he would not have endorsed such unions as governor of Texas.
No, because he's saying he OPPOSES his party's platform on civil unions. Basically saying, he has no problem with them. That's different form saying "I am opposed to civil unions, but states are free to do waht they wish" (in that sense, I could se ehis position).
But, this is a back pedaling on this very critical issue.