I’m Not Real Impressed

With this little bit of political strategy. Suddenly reintroducing the proposal to amend the constitution to ban gay marriage strikes me as a particularly weak move. First, I can't see it passing through Congress, second it smacks of trying to divert attention away from the real issue on voter's minds – illegal immigration.

Just two years ago, gay-marriage opponents like Rowlands were everywhere. Thirteen states passed constitutional amendments barring same-sex unions and, in Ohio, the marriage ban was widely credited with boosting turnout and propelling George W. Bush to a second term. But after Election Day, the issue faded. Now it's back, complete with all the activists, dire predictions and dueling poll numbers. But the landscape has changed since 2004. Democrats argue that gay marriage is just a diversion from rising gas prices, the ongoing struggle in Iraq and immigration reform. With so much else to worry about, will voters care?

Forget the hypocrisy of the Democrats about rising gas prices (which aren't rising at the moment at all) and the rest. I just can't see that this issue will translate to better results at the polls in November. The real thing most people want is real immigration reform. Not amnesty, reform and enforcement.

UPDATE: Sister Toldjah has a few words about pandering to the base. It's not always a bad thing, is it?

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  By Dan, June 5, 2006 @ 9:41 am

  This is an idiot move that should be castigated by non “Religious Right” Republicans. It’s a perfect opportunity for more reality-based Republicans to take control of their party back from religious zealots like Frist et al.

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  By Black Jack, June 5, 2006 @ 12:09 pm

  Forget about amending the Constitution, it’s a waste of time. We don’t abide by the one we have now and I don’t see any reason to assume we’d treat new provisions any differently than the ones we currently ignore.

Other Links to this Post

1. The Moderate Voice — June 5, 2006 @ 8:16 am

2. The Political Pit Bull — June 5, 2006 @ 11:48 am