::Thursday, February 26, 2004::
DEFENDING MARRIAGE
..Lawmakers in the U.S. Congress doubt that an amendment to the Constitution regarding gay marriage will pass and for good reason. Although majority of Americans still oppose gay marriage, a growing number of lawmakers' constituents believe that the government should stay out of their bedrooms. Lawmakers can see the handwriting on the wall that it is a losing proposition for President Bush but his handlers would have none of it. They are pushing President Bush to play defense in order to placate his religious conservative base who are threatening to revolt over bad policy decisions in immigration, unchecked spending and the massive deficit that is threatening the country's future economic security. Just like the President's position on immigration, it does not matter whether it passes or not. The whole point is to energize the base by giving them what they want and enhancing Bush's image as a "passionate conservative". With the country clearly split in the middle regading party loyalty, the key to winning the 2004 elections is voter turnout. No group is as passionate in voting Republican as do evangelicals. This is what drives the President's policies.
