Thanks for posting the Repub. platform information. I hadn't remembered the platform as opposing civil unions. Just another attempt by the Old Grey Lady to keep Christians away from the polls for the President this year.
Precisely.
It looks like Bush got snookered. Still, it would have been much better had Bush not accepted Gibson's question at face value and responded with the actual party platform position.
Upon rereading, looks like I was wrong and judged too quickly. I neglected this last line, which can obviously be interpreted as opposition to "civil unions":
We believe that legal recognition and the accompanying benefits afforded couples should be preserved for that unique and special union of one man and one woman which has historically been called marriage.
So, it looks like Gibson's question was fair. And Bush wasn't snookered.
Nonetheless, Bush gave the right answer as far as I'm concerned. Leave the matter to the states.