Dean to Republicans: Stop Using Marriage to Pander to Base

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. . . Deflect from Failed Leadership



6/5/2006 6:03:00 PM

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=66964

Contact: Damien LaVera of the Democratic National Committee, 202-863-8148

WASHINGTON, June 5 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Facing crumbling credibility even among their conservative political base, President Bush today publicly endorsed a divisive anti-marriage constitutional amendment to be introduced this week by Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist that would legislate discrimination into the Constitution.

The President's endorsement of the amendment comes on the same day as a new Gallup poll that shows the American people want Congress and the Republicans in Washington to focus on real issues like Iraq, immigration, health care, energy costs, the economy, the war on terrorism and education. (Gallup, 6/5/06) But, instead of addressing these issues, Washington Republicans have once again ripped a page from the Karl Rove playbook by using marriage as a wedge issue to win elections by dividing Americans.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement calling on President Bush and the Republicans in Washington to stop using marriage as a wedge issue to pander to extremists in their political base and distract the American people from Republicans' failed leadership:

"Republicans in Washington clearly need a reality check. The American people are deeply concerned about the failure of Republicans to address critical issues like sky-high gas prices, millions of uninsured Americans, an intractable war in Iraq, out of control budget deficits, cuts to student loan programs, and a widespread Republican culture of corruption. Yet, instead of spending the Senate's time on the priorities of the American people, President Bush and Bush Republicans like Senator Frist are pushing a divisive Constitutional amendment that uses marriage as a political wedge issue. This is morally wrong. It hurts LGBT Americans, and it hurts our country.

"President Bush is wrong to target LGBT Americans to rally his political base and distract from the disastrous impact his failed leadership has had on the economic and health care security of American families. The American people know that this amendment won't help a single American find health insurance, create a single job, help a single student go to college, or help come up with a plan for success in Iraq. Instead of putting their political interests ahead of the nation's interest, the time has come for the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress to get to work on the issues that really matter to Americans."

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=66964
http://www.democrats.org.