"The constitutional amendment we are debating today strikes me as antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans. It usurps from the states a fundamental authority they have always possessed, and imposes a federal remedy for a problem that most states do not believe confronts them, and which they feel capable of resolving should it confront them, again according to local standards and customs.
"If a constitution is to be amended, Mr. President, it should be a state constitution."
As I noted to your Extremely Extreme friend, this is going to be a strange election and one I believe where you will need McCain more than he needs your support.