Gay Marriage in 2004
Yet another story echoes my prediction that gay marriage could be the sleeper issue in 2004:
Republican lawmakers and conservative activists are making plans to turn gay marriage into a major issue in next year’s elections, with some Christian groups saying that banning same-sex unions is a higher immediate priority for them than restricting abortion.Party strategists said the issue could be a bonanza for mobilizing conservatives to fund campaigns and turn out to vote, particularly in the South. Conservative groups said they plan to challenge candidates to sign a pledge in support of a constitutional amendment precluding gay marriage, then use the results — along with votes Republicans hope to force in the House and Senate — as a wedge against Democrats.
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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is considering a case that could lead to a ruling this fall calling for the legislature to set up a system for same-sex unions such as that in Vermont or Canada.
Actually, Vermont only has civil unions, not same-sex marriage. The Massachusetts decision will make the state the first in the country to legalize same-sex marriages. The story does contain some other factual inaccuracies; so take it with a grain of salt. For instance, the story says:
The most conservative members of the Republican party have expressed dismay about Bush’s reticence on the issue so far, fearing a rerun of his low-decibel approach to abortion during his campaigns.
Not true. In fact, the president went out of his way to bring up the issue of same-sex marriage at his last press conference.
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