George Bush yesterday declared his backing for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, writes Bonnie Malkin.
In an uncharacteristically low-key address, Mr Bush told a group of assembled conservatives: "Our policies should aim to strengthen families, not undermine them, and changing the definition of marriage would undermine the family structure."
Critics have called the move everything from "half-arsed" to "divisive" and a "cynical" ploy to divert attention from the war in Iraq.
Mr Bush's announcement has also been described as part of a campaign to win back support from increasingly cynical conservatives and protect the GOP majority in the House and Senate.
But the proposed ban also has vocal supporters. The Boston Herald carries an opinion piece supporting the amendment on the basis that "marriage between one man and one woman does a better job protecting children". And the American Family Association is urging Americans to lobby senators to support the amendment and help to protect the sanctity of marriage.
Despite the furore, it looks unlikely the ban will pass a Senate vote tomorrow because several Republicans oppose the measure, and so far only one Democrat has said he will vote for it.
