Post by Merkuri on Feb 24, 2004 14:03:34 GMT -5
Bush calls for same-sex marriage-ban amendment
Democrats: Bush using issue for election-year gain
Tuesday, February 24, 2004 Posted: 1:45 PM EST (1845 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Tuesday that he supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage to "prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever."
His comments were swiftly condemned by Democratic Party leaders as an attempt "to write discrimination into the U.S. Constitution."
Criticizing San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, judges of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and county officials in New Mexico who moved to let same-sex couples receive marriage licenses, Bush said that in recent months "some activist judges and local officials have made an aggressive attempt to redefine marriage.
"And unless action is taken, we can expect more arbitrary court decisions, more litigation, more defiance of the law by local officials, all of which adds to uncertainty.
"After more than two centuries of American jurisprudence and millennia of human experience, a few judges and local authorities are presuming to change the most fundamental institution of civilization. Their actions have created confusion on an issue that requires clarity."
Bush said states might be forced to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states that allow them.
"On a matter of such importance, the voice of the people must be heard. Activist courts have left the people with one recourse. If we're to prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever, our nation must enact a constitutional amendment to protect marriage in America. Decisive and democratic action is needed because attempts to redefine marriage in a single state or city could have serious consequences throughout the country."
He called on Congress to "promptly pass and send to the states for ratification" an amendment that would specifically define marriage as the union of a "husband and wife."
But Bush also said state legislatures should be left to define "legal arrangements other than marriage," suggesting that such an amendment would do nothing to stop states from allowing civil unions for same-sex couples.
"Our government should respect every person and protect the institution of marriage," he said. "There is not a contradiction between these responsibilities."
Democratic reaction
Democrats quickly accused Bush of using the issue for political gain and of trying to draw attention from what they characterize as his failed record as president.
"The Democratic Party is opposed to this amendment," said the Democratic National Committee's chairman, Terry McAuliffe.
"It is wrong to write discrimination into the U.S. Constitution and it is shameful to use attacks against gay and lesbian families as an election strategy. It appears that the conservative compassion he promised to deliver in 2000 has now officially run out."
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's campaign spokeswoman, Stephanie Cutter, said Tuesday's announcement makes it clear that Bush's re-election strategy is to "use wedge issues and the politics of fear to divide the nation."
Kerry has said he supports civil unions and equal protection for homosexuals, but opposes marriage. He also said he believes it should be a state issue.
A call for civil debate
Bush called for a civil debate on the controversial issue.
"We should also conduct this difficult debate in a matter worthy of our country, without bitterness or anger. In all that lies ahead, let us match strong convictions with kindness and good will and decency."
Bush said the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and laws banning same-sex marriage in 38 states "express an overwhelming consensus in our country for protecting the institution of marriage."
But, he said, "There is no assurance that the Defense of Marriage Act will not itself be struck down by activist courts. In that event, every state would be forced to recognize any relationship that judges in Boston or officials in San Francisco choose to call a marriage."
As recently as last week, Bush repeated his belief that marriage should be restricted to heterosexual couples.
He added that he was "troubled" by legal decisions in Massachusetts that could clear the way for same-sex marriage -- and the decision by San Francisco's Newsom this month to defy state law and order the county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Thousands of couples have taken advantage. (California high court may get same-sex marriage)
Last week, Bush said he was paying close attention to what was taking place in San Francisco and Massachusetts.
"I have watched carefully what's happening in San Francisco, where licenses were being issued, even though the law states otherwise," Bush said. "I have consistently stated that I'll support law to protect marriage between a man and a woman. Obviously these events are influencing my decision."
"I am watching very carefully, but I am troubled by what I've seen," Bush said.
In his State of the Union speech last month, Bush has addressed same-sex marriage, saying, "our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage." (Full story)
He stopped short of endorsing a constitutional amendment that would ban marriages for gay and lesbian couples, as social conservative groups had hoped.
Instead, Bush said, "if judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process."
Democrats: Bush using issue for election-year gain
Tuesday, February 24, 2004 Posted: 1:45 PM EST (1845 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Tuesday that he supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage to "prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever."
His comments were swiftly condemned by Democratic Party leaders as an attempt "to write discrimination into the U.S. Constitution."
Criticizing San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, judges of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and county officials in New Mexico who moved to let same-sex couples receive marriage licenses, Bush said that in recent months "some activist judges and local officials have made an aggressive attempt to redefine marriage.
"And unless action is taken, we can expect more arbitrary court decisions, more litigation, more defiance of the law by local officials, all of which adds to uncertainty.
"After more than two centuries of American jurisprudence and millennia of human experience, a few judges and local authorities are presuming to change the most fundamental institution of civilization. Their actions have created confusion on an issue that requires clarity."
Bush said states might be forced to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states that allow them.
"On a matter of such importance, the voice of the people must be heard. Activist courts have left the people with one recourse. If we're to prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever, our nation must enact a constitutional amendment to protect marriage in America. Decisive and democratic action is needed because attempts to redefine marriage in a single state or city could have serious consequences throughout the country."
He called on Congress to "promptly pass and send to the states for ratification" an amendment that would specifically define marriage as the union of a "husband and wife."
But Bush also said state legislatures should be left to define "legal arrangements other than marriage," suggesting that such an amendment would do nothing to stop states from allowing civil unions for same-sex couples.
"Our government should respect every person and protect the institution of marriage," he said. "There is not a contradiction between these responsibilities."
Democratic reaction
Democrats quickly accused Bush of using the issue for political gain and of trying to draw attention from what they characterize as his failed record as president.
"The Democratic Party is opposed to this amendment," said the Democratic National Committee's chairman, Terry McAuliffe.
"It is wrong to write discrimination into the U.S. Constitution and it is shameful to use attacks against gay and lesbian families as an election strategy. It appears that the conservative compassion he promised to deliver in 2000 has now officially run out."
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's campaign spokeswoman, Stephanie Cutter, said Tuesday's announcement makes it clear that Bush's re-election strategy is to "use wedge issues and the politics of fear to divide the nation."
Kerry has said he supports civil unions and equal protection for homosexuals, but opposes marriage. He also said he believes it should be a state issue.
A call for civil debate
Bush called for a civil debate on the controversial issue.
"We should also conduct this difficult debate in a matter worthy of our country, without bitterness or anger. In all that lies ahead, let us match strong convictions with kindness and good will and decency."
Bush said the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and laws banning same-sex marriage in 38 states "express an overwhelming consensus in our country for protecting the institution of marriage."
But, he said, "There is no assurance that the Defense of Marriage Act will not itself be struck down by activist courts. In that event, every state would be forced to recognize any relationship that judges in Boston or officials in San Francisco choose to call a marriage."
As recently as last week, Bush repeated his belief that marriage should be restricted to heterosexual couples.
He added that he was "troubled" by legal decisions in Massachusetts that could clear the way for same-sex marriage -- and the decision by San Francisco's Newsom this month to defy state law and order the county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Thousands of couples have taken advantage. (California high court may get same-sex marriage)
Last week, Bush said he was paying close attention to what was taking place in San Francisco and Massachusetts.
"I have watched carefully what's happening in San Francisco, where licenses were being issued, even though the law states otherwise," Bush said. "I have consistently stated that I'll support law to protect marriage between a man and a woman. Obviously these events are influencing my decision."
"I am watching very carefully, but I am troubled by what I've seen," Bush said.
In his State of the Union speech last month, Bush has addressed same-sex marriage, saying, "our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage." (Full story)
He stopped short of endorsing a constitutional amendment that would ban marriages for gay and lesbian couples, as social conservative groups had hoped.
Instead, Bush said, "if judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process."