I am greatly amused when I watch the Democratic candidates for President squirm on the issue of same sex marriage.  Clearly, the country does not support same sex marriage.  The polls show that.  And, since they are Democrats, it is easy to box them into a corner and call them “whack-job” liberals.  So, after Dukakis, Mondale, among others… they don’t want to go down that road.

So, to keep from going down that road, they take positions that say pretty much nothing.  Here is what they said at the most recent debate … as well as what they really meant:

Hillary…

Asked what was at the heart of her opposition to same-sex marriage, Sen. Hillary Clinton said, “I prefer to think of it as being very positive about civil unions.”

“It’s a personal position,” she said. “For me, we have made it very clear in our country that we believe in equality. How we get to full equality is the debate we’re having.”

Translated… “for political purposes and to get elected, I am opposed to same-sex marriage… though I really believe in it.  Don’t worry.  After I am elected, I will have a change of heart - if politically feasible.”

Edwards…

John Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina and the Democratic Party’s 2004 vice-presidential nominee, offered an apology for a previous statement that his religious faith was at the heart of his opposition to same-sex marriage.

“I shouldn’t have said that,” said Edwards, who has previously said he has struggled with his position. “I believe to my core in equality. My campaign for the presidency is about equality across the board.”

“All I can tell you is where I am today,” he said. “I do not support same-sex marriage.”

Translated… “Wow, I didn’t know this was going to cause such a huge uproar.  Politically, the country does not favor same-sex marriage… look, people, my hands are tied.  I can’t and don’t have any more explanation or justification why I believe what I believe.  There is no way in hell my flegling campaign will have any shot to continue - if I support this.  Come on!!!!”

Obama…

Sen. Barack Obama said his view is that “we should try to disentangle what has historically been the issue of the word ‘marriage,’ which has religious connotations to some people, from the civil rights that are given couples.”

“My job as president is going to be to make sure that the legal rights that have consequences on a day-to-day basis for loving same-sex couples all across the country … are recognized and enforced,” he said.

Translated… “Don’t worry, people.  When I get elected, I will work around this whole “marriage” word and hope people won’t notice.  All I can tell you is that right now people are not in favor of same-sex marriage.  So, for me to admit what I really believe is death to my chances of beating this maniacal woman to my left.”

Behind each of their words lies an even greater meaning.  But, bottom line, their words are easy to decipher.  Yes, they oppose same-sex marriage… but, they really don’t want to;  they just know they have to.

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