Debate Begins on Gay Marriage Amendment

President Bush renewed his call for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Detractors called the move transparently political--in light of the fact that the proposed amendment stands virtually no chance of passing either house of Congress.

Washington Post:

President Bush renewed his call yesterday for Congress to approve a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union between a man and a woman, saying such a step is necessary to keep courts from undermining traditional marriage.

As the Senate began debate on the amendment barring same-sex marriage, the president summoned supporters to the White House to hear his plea that marriage “not be redefined by activist judges.” The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has legalized same-sex marriage, and courts in other states have nullified voter-approved referendums that would ban it.

The president’s comments cheered conservative activists, coming after a long period of relative quiet from him on an issue many analysts believe was critical to his reelection victories in Ohio and other states in 2004.

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Top: Mike Luckovich / Middle: Dwayne Powell / Bottom: Mr. Fish