GOP Planning July Vote on Gay Marriage Amendment

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/5911-1.html (subscription required)

The Senate Republican leadership is aiming for a mid-July vote on a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, forcing Democrats to take a stand on the controversial topic just before the party heads to Boston for its presidential nominating convention.

Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum (Pa.) said the GOP leaders are not yet prepared to make an official announcement on a specific date, but confirmed that they are scouting for a July vote.

“We are sort of running the traps on this right now, and sort of seeing what kind of response we are getting,” Santorum said following Tuesday’s Republican policy lunch. “We are talking about it. I think there are a couple of meetings to be had yet before any official announcement is made.”

The issue was not discussed with all 51 Republican Senators at the Tuesday meeting, but a handful of senior Senators and leaders “discussed the issue at length” Monday night, several GOP Senators and aides said. There was not unanimity in that chairmen’s meeting about whether the GOP should pursue the issue in this election year, but there appears to be a strong majority within the Republican Conference to at least force a vote.

[redowl]

1. interesting timeing, wouldn't you say?

OK- obvious timing.

Marriage is marriage. who cares about the gender of the people? if you love you love- thats what is most important. This FUBAR world can use all the LOVE it can get!!

[KDLarsen]

20. Unfortunately...

.. that's not what the rethugs are interested in - because if it becomes legal for gays & lesbians to marry, they also recieves various rights (which I believe includes various tax deductions). And rethugs + rights for people other than white, god-fearing, straight, 3 times divorsed people = not compatible.

[2Design]

2. Very sick.....we are in a major crisis in this country......

We may have to rise up....against, repubs, southern baptists, rw christians, and who knows who else....these are the sickest people in the world.......our country is lost.... I feel so much anger and pain.......over this group in congress, in our schools in our towns, and in the presidency......they are mean.....and want to write discrimination into our constitution now.....

[NewJerseyDem]

3. The amendment will lose easily

There is zero chance that the amendment will get passed. Many republicans have come out against the bill and almost all democrats will vote no as well. The amendment won't even get close to a majority.

[2Design]

7. most states have passed laws for it and some admended

constitution alreay.....

And....Virginia has written the most hateful of all laws into our constitution...denying any rights .....and overruling anyone who lives here or visits here....and any other contract they may have....

so there are a lot of republican governors and state legislatures who have already gone in this direction and gotten away with it....

The ERA didn't pass because the fear machine by GOP.....but these guys have been building a foundation.....and those Christians and Catholic church are lining up behind this...and push their people where fear doesn't get them.....guilt trips....and fears of 'hell' will.....

Fear is the biggest way to manipulate and mold and control people and the churches have been very good at it and the GOP has perfected it......

This is really scary.....we need divine intervention....NOW.....God hurry......

[Renew Deal]

4. They don't have the votes and they know it.

Many of the pukes are against this too.

[Darranar]

5. Let's hope that this disgusting law doesn't pass. n/t

[jayavarman]

6. Let's hope it desperate even get to the floor.

There are too many crucially important issues on the plate this election season & republicans are getting desperate to avoid having to debate on the real issues . . . . . They would rather have it be about god, guns & gays

[2Design]

9. exactly.....they are depending on the churches to get their sheeple in

line....and the churches are lining up with the GOP......this is a major problem.....once we write discrimination into constitutions. we are over the edge and many states have already done... it

AND my congressmen....are all for it......virginia....

[jayavarman]

11. oops, doesn't even get to the floor

damn spell check

[Darranar]

15. That's true...

a lot will depend on how much the Dems can push economics and foreign policy.

[Mithras61]

8. "Dems planning November vote on GOP Stupidity"

n/t

[MaineDem]

10. During the Dem convention?

They must surely be in recess then, right?

[2Design]

12. you have their strategy.....

not allow recess......so that there is a vote.....and if dems are in boston......so what.....they are truly evil bunch....

[NewJerseyDem]

14. They said it would be right before

I certainly assume that the Senate will be on recess during the convention but this vote might be held just days before that recess starts. Another Roll Call article indicates there may not even be a real vote on the amendment and there might just be a procedural vote on it to begin debate. I guess they mean that there may be a vote on bringing the amendment to the floor but not actually on passage.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ropi]

16. ok....

It's fine and dandy when everyone is reading how these Republicans are wishing to work on this amendment process. Moreover, it's wonderful to read what everyone thinks about the subject--but, I'd like to propose that each one of us on DU at least start a letter campaign against this. Even in the last part of the 20th century there were many supporters of the ERA, but it never was passed due to the Right Wing spinning it as something that it was not.

Why are we, as DU-er's always quick to point out how spineless our Democratic representatives and senators are, but we do nothing to get our voices heard? This entire post should be 'kicked' up until every person on DU reads it--the Fundies et al will run this through a massive 'grass roots' effort and have their voices heard. One only has to read how the Catholic Church is already trying to put their little cards on the table for glbt rights to be taken away, and others are following suit. No matter if you agree for marriage, civil unions or whatever sort of partnership, this can be defeated.

Why doesnt anyone from the 'liberal' side use the 'same tools to dismantle the master's house' when it comes to the Right Wing? Ever since the Christian Coalition and Poster Boy Ralph Reed started infecting the American psyche with their special brand of Political spin based on the gospel, so many have been denied rights and we all have been complicit in allowing it to happen. They've done everything they can to fragment race relations, sexual relations, feminisms, etc..and allowed us to infight in order for us to destroy one another..all the while..the get to put their people in decision making spaces and everyone loses.

Help me out here because I truly don't know what to do. I can propose that every one of us write, call, ask friends, colleagues, etc., to support fighting this, but I do fear that we are all so lazy that it will just fall to pieces and wind up like the ERA...

I hate to say it..but they will probably pass this...they'll whip up enough media attention to it to make it possible. It'll be interesting to see where we are a year from now. Chances are we'll all be here bemoaning Bush and Co and still complaning how our representatives do not support our voices. Like it or not, they have the numbers and the fear factor on their side.. and their people are rabid enough to call, write, email, petition until they are dead.

ok..enough of my rant... I hope no one takes offense to my rantings...

[ropi]

18. some examples of how they whip up the frenzy

http://www.700club.com/special/marriageamendment/index.asp

geezy peezy.... not only do you get a dose of pat and hate..you can get your own free bumper sticker

http://www.nogaymarriage.com/

http://www.nogaymarriage.com/actioncenter.asp

http://www.family.org/cforum/citizenmag/features/a0015772.cfm

a fine example:


"Battle for Marriage" Resource Packets Available!

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http://www.allianceformarriage.org/site/PageServer

http://www.marriagedebate.com/

edited to add information

[ropi]

17. kick

again...

KICK

[Piperay]

19. Repuke desperation has

no boundaries on how low they will sink, they are a pitiful pathetic lot. x(

[Citizen Daryl]

21. "Message Deleted"

Sorry if I offended anyone with my earlier comment. I heard Lewis Black use it Sunday night during his show at Zanies and I thought it was the perfect explanation of how ludicrous the "gay marriage puts the American family in danger" argument really is.

[gatlingforme]

22. Let's see the Repubs are pretty busy on June 30th, so some

time in July might be the perfect time. :puke: