"The Republicans would like to suggest that the Democrats favor gay marriage. Most don't. Most Democrats favor civil unions, as most Americans do."
Democratic pollster Mark Mellman
Massachusetts' highest court declared Wednesday that full legal recognition of gay marriage, not civil unions, is constitutional. The ruling is certain to have aftershocks that will shake up the 2004 presidential election.
In excluding civil unions as a compromise, the court paved the way for Massachusetts to be the first state in the country to allow same-sex marriages. Almost immediately, the presidential candidates responded, hinting that this could be a major issue in the coming campaign.
President George W. Bush strongly opposes gay marriage, though he has said in the past that state legislatures should be left to decide the issue of civil unions. White House Spokesman Scott McClellan said Wednesday that the administration was reviewing the Massachusetts decision, possibly considering backing a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/04/politics/main598106.shtml