A Race for Marriage - by Tony Perkins - FRC Action President
After yesterday's colossal ruling on same-sex "marriage," both sides can agree on one thing--it's going to be a long six months. In less than 24 hours, the decision by California's Supreme Court to strike down the historic definition of marriage has catapulted the issue from semi-dormancy to the forefront of the general election.
As Americans know from the last presidential race, a decision on marriage has the ability to awaken voters in every corner of the country. Not surprisingly, the candidates were careful to sidestep Thursday's ruling in their public comments yesterday. When pressed, a lone spokesman from Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) office dashed off a quick response reiterating that the senator "supports the right of the people of California to recognize marriage as the unique institution sanctioning the union between a man a woman..."
It's important to note that both Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) claim to oppose same-sex marriage but support benefits for same-sex couples. As such, they should have defended the status quo in California, which grants domestic partners virtually all the benefits of marriage.
To be consistent, Obama and Clinton must condemn the ruling and reemphasize their support for the portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevents states from being forced to recognize the same-sex "marriages" of other states. But since both have said that they want to do away with the portion of DOMA that defines marriage for federal purposes, they're in an awkward position. Their response will either alienate liberals or force them to fully embrace same-sex "marriage," which would alienate the majority of the country.
Sen. McCain, on the other hand, has a history of support for marriage protection amendments in the states. It's up to him to make this issue a priority in his campaign and rally the support of social conservatives around his position. He must speak openly--and frequently--about the threat this decision poses to the family and do his part to denounce activism in our courts. As his home state votes on a marriage protection amendment for the second time this fall, we encourage him to show his commitment to marriage by leading the charge for its passage.
Although the California court ordered the ruling to take effect in 30 days, a coalition of pro-family legal forces, including the Alliance Defense Fund, plan to approach the court immediately to ask the justices to stay their ruling until after the vote on the marriage amendment this fall. Until then, we continue to pray that voters across America are roused by the millions in defense of the family's foundation.
2 comments:
Heya! I'm back from an unannounced, unintended bloggie break.
This issue has been on my heart and mind, and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who has spoken up about it in my little corner of the bloggie world.
Hope your respit from bloggy world was sweet....and, thanks for the comment....blessings!
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