Gay Marriage and the Race for the Presidency

The United States House of Representatives failed to achieve the two-thirds vote necessary for adding an amendment to the Constitution that would ban gay marriage. However, analysts say that the importance of the proposal is its possible effect on the upcoming election. "The purpose in bringing this amendment to the floor today, just four weeks before the election, is to create the fodder for a demagogic political ad that appeals to voters' worst fears and prejudices," said Democratic Senator Steny Hoyer. Supporters of the ban, which included most of the Republicans, claim that the fight is not yet over. "This is only the beginning" said Majority Leader Tom DeLay. With President Bush pushing hard for the amendment to be passed, the gay marriage issue has become a significant, divisive topic in America today. Each party hopes to take advantage of the divisiveness--which became even more pronounced after the House vote--to win the election.

Works Consulted
House Defeats Marriage Amendment. 1 Oct. 2004. CNN. 1 Oct. 2004 http://
www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/01/congress.marriage.ap/index.html.