Posted by
TheChair on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 2:16:04 AM
Because the issue of same-sex marriage is on three states' November ballots (California, Arizona and Florida), it could figure prominently in the presidential election. While neither side is on its face, purely pro-marriage, McCain's position is at least coherent and is likely to help preserve marriage in reality. He doesn't yet support a federal constitutional amendment, which is where this whole thing inexorably is headed, but he did vote for the federal Defense of Marriage Act, he does endorse California's Proposition 8, and is committed to appointing Supreme Court justices likely to interpret the Constitution in a traditional way.
Meanwhile, Obama is caught in an electoral dilemma between his liberal base and blue-collar Democrats who tend to have more traditional values. Obama's position on marriage might as well be scrambled eggs. Like McCain, Obama says he believes marriage is between a man and a woman, and that he supports civil unions for same-sex couples, instead. But unlike McCain,
Obama opposes all practical steps to preserve marriage.
Obama would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act. He opposes California's Prop. 8 and similar constitutional amendments in other states.
And he is committed to appointing Supreme Court justices likely to declare a right to same-sex marriage exists in the Constitution.
With friends like Obama, traditional marriage needs no more enemies.