Posted on 06/04/2006 6:34:19 PM PDT by JulieRNR21
Both sides chide Nelson for his same-sex stance
Both sides of the gay marriage ban issue have criticized Sen. Bill Nelson for his moderate approach to the issue.
WASHINGTON - Sen. Bill Nelson, a moderate often panned for sidestepping controversial issues, has become a target in the red-meat debate over a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.
Nelson, a Florida Democrat up for reelection, opposes gay marriage but disapproves of federal intervention and says he is inclined to vote against the likely-to-fail measure, which the Senate is to take up this week.
''He cannot support an amendment that basically puts the courts in a position to intrude on all sorts of relationships,'' Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said, adding the proposal could affect domestic partnerships or other relationships, along with gay marriages.
ELUSIVE VOTERS
Nelson's stance is like that of many Democrats who seek to navigate a path of reaching voters in the middle without alienating those who support letting gays and lesbians marry.
And his stance has already drawn fire from the right, which attacked him in a Focus on the Family newspaper ad last week and singled him out in an e-mail from the Florida Family Association.
''Every child understands how important a mom and a dad are,'' the ad reads. ``But apparently Sen. Nelson needs a reminder.''
McLaughlin called the ad ``typical of the work of polarizing extremists who think they have a monopoly on faith and family values. It's an attempt to smear the senator by making you think he supports gay marriage, which, of course, is not true.''
In contrast, Nelson's likely reelection opponent is an enthusiastic supporter of the federal ban.
On the campaign trail last year, Republican Rep. Katherine Harris told The Miami Herald she expected that a similar measure on the state ballot could boost Republican turnout at the polls -- as it was believed to do in 2004 when it appeared on ballots in several states including Ohio.
''I believe the majority of Americans strongly support the preservation of traditional marriage,'' said the Sarasota Republican, who faces three challengers in the GOP primary. ``We must never undermine the uniqueness of an institution that continues to serve as an essential thread in the fabric of our society.''
Democrats have complained that the GOP -- smarting from the president's declining popularity -- is bringing up the amendment as a political move to mollify its base.
''Welcome to Wedge Month,'' read an e-mail from a Democratic group called the Senate Majority Project.
But Nelson's position on the gay marriage amendment is also drawing heat from some in his Democratic base who say that the senator -- comfortably besting Harris in early polls -- could take a stronger stance.
GUTSY MOVE
One gay and lesbian group said it applauds Nelson for suggesting he will vote against the measure, but is looking at him to denounce it.
''He's running so far ahead of Katherine Harris and the unknowns, he could be much more outspoken in his opposition rather than playing it safe,'' said Stephen Gaskill, spokesman for the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Democratic Caucus, which boasts 15 chapters across the state. ``There are more than one million gays and lesbians in Florida and most of us are Democrats and it would be nice to have a reason to vote for somebody.''
Nelson's spokesman, McLaughlin, said the Democrat ''firmly believes marriage should be between one man and one woman'' but that the states should regulate marriage.
He notes that Florida already has a law that bans same-sex marriage.
The criticism from the gay and lesbian caucus has been voiced before by other elements of the Democratic base, but Chad Clanton, Nelson's campaign manager, said Nelson isn't about to act otherwise.
''Bill Nelson is someone who approaches his job seriously. He's not that loud; it's just not really his style,'' Clanton said.
Top 10 Reasons Katherine Harris Will Beat Bill Nelson
1. Katherine Harris has the interest of Floridians at heart. She isn’t afraid of taking on the “beltway boys,” the liberal media or her General Election opponent who shares the values of Washington, DC’s “liberal-elite.”
2. Katherine Harris shares the values of most Floridians, her liberal opponent does not.
3. Katherine Harris has a proven record of accomplishment fighting for taxpayer relief, immigration reform, and standing up for senior citizens.
4. Katherine Harris is tested by fire. She has a strong backbone and will not back down in the face of adversity.
5. Katherine Harris has the grassroots support of Florida voters, high name ID, and Florida is a “red state” that supports Republican candidates.
6. Katherine Harris has a “can do” attitude. Her liberal General Election opponent has a “do nothing” attitude. For example, he says a comprehensive immigration reform bill isn’t likely to pass the Senate this year. Katherine Harris has already voted in favor of an immigration reform bill and believes our U.S. Senator should fight for important legislation as opposed to shrugging it off and saying it can’t be done.
7. Katherine Harris is a strong proponent of 2nd Amendment Rights. She has an “A” rating from the N.R.A. While her liberal General Election opponent likes to call himself a sportsman when he’s talking to voters, back in D.C. liberal Bill Nelson gets an “F” rating from the N.R.A.
8. Katherine Harris has fought to reduce taxes, and cut waste, fraud, and abuse. She has signed the American’s for Tax Reform “no new taxes” pledge. Her liberal General Election opponent never met a tax he didn’t hike and refuses to sign the no new tax pledge.
9. Katherine Harris has never lost an election – ever. And she has defeated two incumbents and two statewide elections.
10. Katherine Harris has common-sense Florida values. Bill Nelson has Washington values led by Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton. In fact, Bill Nelson has been rated as more liberal than Hillary Clinton by the non-partisan National Journal.
Texas bump for Katherine! Thanks Julie.
Because right now....Floridians are unaware of Nelson's true liberal record.....but Harris is going to make sure they know!
Also the liberal FL press attacks her contantly!
She'll bypass them and get her message directly to the people of Florida!
Howdy....thanks for the bump!
Thanks Julie, I'm not up on all your politics down there but I'm glad to give her a bump!
Democrat he may be, but give him credit where credit is due. Sen. Nelson has taken the correct position in this case. The Federal government has no justification for regulating marriage.
Unless they want to claim that the married are engaging in "interstate commerce", they just don't have Constitutional authorization for such a law.
Yes, I do know that lack of authorization has not stopped them in the past. But I can hope, can't I?
Ping.
Two thumbs up for Katherine!!!.... from Massachusetts!!
In the Republican race for governor, Roy Moore is trailing Bob Riley by over 40 points according to some polls.
After Tuesday, those pollsters are going to look like idiots. Judge Moore may or may not win, but there is no way he loses by anywhere close to 40 points.
I don't know if the polls are purposely skewed ... or if there are simply factors that polling cannot track. But we Alabamians are about to do some big time debunking of the polling industry.
And if I'm wrong, I'll come back on here and admit it.
THOSE WHO TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE ALL THE TIME,
End Up Being Respected by None and Despised by ALL !
Bear in mind who is making these polls and surveys .
Our Universities and Colleges are filled with little Ward Churchill types . .
Most Egg-Heads and Ivory Tower Tin-gods are leftists ~
Also, how accurate are polls and surveys when they are conducted on at most, maybe ~1000 interviewees .
There are millions of registered voters in Florida alone !
Opinion Polls are at most a useful tool, they are by no means the final word...
The final word is on election day !
Reading this just makes me even more angry with the jerks in the beltway that did everything this could to destroy Katherine Harris. It's these fools that are out of step with their view of what people really think in Florida.
Sure it does... here is the law...
Article. V.The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress;...
Pay attention to the words in red...
Article. IV.Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
And the U.S. Supreme Court...
“...In our opinion, the statute immediately under consideration is within the legislative power of Congress. It is constitutional and valid as prescribing a rule of action for all those residing in the Territories, and in places over which the United States have exclusive control... Laws are made for the government of actions, and while they cannot interfere with mere religious belief and opinions, they may with practices... So here, as a law of the organization of society under the exclusive dominion of the United States, it is provided that plural marriages shall not be allowed. Can a man excuse his practices to the contrary because of his religious beliefs? To permit this would be to make the professed doctrines of religious belief superior to the law of the land, and in effect to permit every citizen to become a law unto himself. Government could exist in name only under such circumstances...”Reynolds v. United States, 98 U.S. 145, 8 Otto 145, 24 L. Ed. 244 (1878).
See also...
Late Corporation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints v. United States, 136 U.S. 1, 10 S.Ct. 792, 34 L. Ed. 478 (1890). Revised as 140 U.S. 665, 11 S.Ct. 884, 35 L. Ed. 592 (1891).
Now there is the law smacking you in the face...
see #37...
Nelson is dead wrong... see #37...
The statement made by Gaskill is false. The population of FL is about 17.5 million. One million would be 5.7%. Gays and lesbians are probably less than 3%.
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