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(Washington) As the Senate began debate on a proposed Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage President Bush held a nationally televised news conference at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to drum up support for the measure.
Bush used the phrase "activist judges" in almost every sentence in his address.
"Marriage is the most fundamental right in our society and it should not be defined by activist judges," Bush declared.
"Activist courts have left our nation with no other choice," he said later in his 10 minute speech.
"A constitutional amendment is the most democratic method by which our country can resolve this issue," the President said.
During his address Bush was surrounded by supporters of the amendment, several from some of the most extreme homophobic groups in America.
Bush said that he is "proud to stand with" those who support the amendment.
"Surrounded by a group of extremists, President Bush showed today how enormously out of touch this administration is with the rest of America," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas called the speech an act of "desperation".
"In the face of record disapproval ratings, he is putting the demands of his Radical Right supporters above the integrity of the U.S. Constitution and the well-being of millions of American families," said Neas.
"Yes, this is about pandering to his base," said Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
"Yes, this is about diverting America's attention from his foreign and domestic failures. But above all, this is an immoral attack on gay people, our families and our fundamental humanity. In the not-too-distant future, all those involved in this spectacle will look back with shame and regret.”
A survey by the Associated Press of Senators showed that supporters of the measure are having a hard time securing 50 votes, let alone the super majority of 67 it would need to advance.
Recent polls show same-sex marriage ranks near the bottom of voter concerns. At the top are Iraq, gas prices, health care and the economy.
Bush's credibility on gay marriage has been called into question by a friend of President and by religious conservatives.
In an interview with Newsweek an old Bush friend says that gay marriage barely registers on the president's moral radar, despite the fact that he publicly embraces an amendment banning gay marriage.
"I think it was purely political," the friend tells Newsweek in the June 12 issue which went on newsstands today. "I don't think he gives a s--t about it. He never talks about this stuff."
Even Bush pollster Matthew Dowd doubts it was decisive in the last election according to Newsweek. "It didn't drive turnout in 2004," says Dowd. "That is urban legend." Turnout was the same in states with bans on the ballot and those without, Dowd told the news magazine.
Bush's news conference came as the Senate began debate on the amendment.
But religious conservatives were critical. Joe Glover, president of the Family Policy Network, called today's debate a "dog-and-pony show".
"It's too little, too late," he told the Los Angeles Times.
"Increasingly, social conservatives expect real action, not just politically timed attempts to motivate and organize the base," said Gary Glenn of the American Family Association of Michigan.
Even the President's wife has issued a warning about taking up the issue.
Last month Laura Bush warned the GOP not to use the proposed amendment as a campaign tool.
©365Gay.com 2006
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