Big joke:

If, as reported, Bush will issue a clarion call on Monday in support of a constitutional amendment defining marriage as only that between a man and woman, the only sensible response will be gales of laughter. Really, with Iraq close to disintegration, gasoline prices high, confusion over immigration, continuted trade and budget deficits, uncertain economic outlook, and a pessimistic public, is that really supposed to help the president?

Those tactics probably would work if Bush has higher approval ratings (say, over 50%). But when there are real problems out there, pandering to a conservative minority just looks bad. It hightens the weakness.

In fact, those hoping for a Democratic take-over of Congress probably should welcome this move by Bush. And hope that he speaks out on it throughout the summer. One of the striking poll results over the last couple of years is that people no longer think that Bush "cares about people like me". Plugging for a marriage amendment isn't going to register with people struggling to deal with higher food, energy, and mortgage costs. Or healh care or college or any of that.

Same thing with the flag burning amendment. It's something that Fred Barnes thinks will work to boost Bush politically, but he's almost certainly wrong.


posted by Quiddity at 5/31/2006 02:23:00 PM