When everything else fails, re-focus on gay marriage:
The divisive debate over gay marriage, which played a prominent role in 2004 campaigns but this year largely faded from view, erupted anew on Thursday as President Bush and Republicans across the country tried to use a court ruling in New Jersey to rally dispirited conservatives to the polls.
Wednesday’s ruling, in which the New Jersey Supreme Court decided that gay couples are entitled to the same legal rights and financial benefits as heterosexual couples, had immediate ripple effects, especially in Senate races in some of the eight states where voters are considering constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage.
President Bush put a spotlight on the issue while campaigning in Iowa, which does not have a proposal on the ballot. With the Republican House candidate, Jeff Lamberti, by his side, Mr. Bush — who has not been talking about gay marriage in recent weeks — took pains to insert a reference into his stump speech warning that Democrats would raise taxes and make America less safe.
“Yesterday in New Jersey, we had another activist court issue a ruling that raises doubts about the institution of marriage,� Mr. Bush said at a luncheon at the Iowa State Fairgrounds that raised $400,000 for Mr. Lamberti.
[…]
The ruling in New Jersey left it to the Legislature to decide whether to legalize gay marriage. Even so, the threat that gay marriage could become legal energized conservatives at a time when Republican strategists say that turning out the base could make the difference between winning and losing on Nov. 7. With many independent analysts predicting Republicans will lose the House and possibly the Senate, President Bush’s political team is counting on the party’s sophisticated voter turnout machinery to hold Democratic advances enough that Republicans can at least maintain control.
Some Republicans are extremely happy with the ruling of New Jersey court: for instance George Allen of Virginia.
When I was reading this article one thing came to mind: whether one agrees with gay marriage or a civil union for gays or not, how sad is it that this is all the GOP seems to have left to successfully campaign on? As a conservative Dutchman I agree with American conservatives on many occasions. But this is truly ridiculous. The Bush administration is messing up Iraq tremendously, the dept of the US is incredibly high and… the GOP draws the gay marriage card in a pitiful attempt to rally the conservative base. Screw up the war, make sure that the next generation has to pay off the debt caused by you, but hey: it’s all about gay marriage.
What American conservatives should be concerned about are the serious problems. Not whether or not homosexual couples will be allowed to enjoy the same benefits heterosexuals do.
Give me a break.
