Gay Marriage Ban:another Bush "Flip-Flop"
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Quote-Bush won't push for gay marriage ban in Senate
Sun Jan 16, 1:44 PM ET Politics - AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) - President George W. Bush (news - web sites) will not actively seek to ban gay marriage in the United States during his second term in office -- a stance certain to anger the social conservatives who helped re-elect him.
In an interview, The Washington Post daily asked Bush if he would aggressively lobby senators during his second term in office to pass an amendment outlawing marriage in all 50 states.
"I do believe it's necessary," Bush said. But he went on to imply that pursuing it in the US Senate, which must approve a constitutional amendment by 67 of its 100 votes, would be futile.
Many Senators think the Defense of Marriage Act, an existing law that allows states not to recognize gay marriages enacted in other states, is sufficient, according to Bush.
"The point is, is that Senators have made it clear that so long as DOMA is deemed constitutional, nothing will happen. I'd take that admonition seriously," Bush told the Post.
Bush voiced active support for a gay marriage ban during the 2004 presidential campaign, whipping up support from social conservatives including Evangelical Christians who turned out in droves to re-elect him.
Immediately after his election victory his top political strategist said the president would "absolutely" continue his fight on the politically and socially divisive issue.
"Without the protection of that amendment, we are at the mercy of activist federal judges or activist state judges who could, without the involvement of the people, determine ... that marriage no longer consists of a union between a man and a woman," Karl Rove told Fox News.
One of the president's top advisers, White House counsellor Dan Bartlett, told US television Sunday that the president remained committed to seeking a change in the US Constitution enshrining marriage as existing solely between a man and a woman.
But Bartlett said Bush was realistic about the chances for success of accompanying legislation in the US Congress, where minority Democrats retain a significant number of seats.
"It requires 67 votes in the United States Senate for a constitutional amendment to move forward. That's a very high bar," Bartlett told CNN television.
"This does not change President Bush (news - web sites)'s view about amendment, the need for an amendment. And he'll continue to push for an amendment. But what he was speaking to was the legislative realities in the United States Senate in getting those 67 votes," Bartlett said.
"He'll continue to work to convince people and convince members of Congress that it is necessary now. He will spend political capital to do so. It is an important part of what the president believes," he added.
"He believes the institution of marriage being defined as between a man and a woman is important for our civil society," Bartlett said. -End of quote
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