yet more blah blah crap from our enlightened leader.....but Ron Reagan does have a point!
Bush Takes Anti-Gay Campaign To Southern Baptists
by Doreen Brandt
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau
Posted: June 16, 2004 11:22 am. ET
(Washington) Just over a week after President George Bush sought the help of the Vatican in his reelection campaign he has taken his call for an amendment to the Constitution banning gay marriage to the country's largest Protestant denomination.
Speaking via satellite Bush told delegates to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis to support the amendment.
"The union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution, honored and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith," the President said.
"And government, by strengthening and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all."
In a speech that did not name Democrats or John Kerry by name, Bush hit the three key issues he hopes will rally conservative Christians to support him in the GOP in November: gay marriage, abortion and cloning. Earlier this week the Southern Baptists voted to quit the Baptist World Alliance accusing it of being too liberal toward gays. (story)
Last week W. Bush met with the Pope and called on the Pontiff to encourage bishops to take a hard-line stand on same-sex marriage. (story) Bush reportedly implored the Pope to increase Catholic condemnation of gay marriage in the weeks leading up to the election.
The Church has taken up the call. American bishops are meeting this week in Colorado to determine what sanctions they will place on Catholic candidates who do not follow Church teachings on gay marriage and abortion. (story) And, in Boston, the political arm of the Catholic Church in Massachusetts has sent a letter to all parishes showing how members of the legislature voted earlier this year on a proposal to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage. (story)
Amid polls showing approval ratings for the President dropping over Iraq the Bush White House is trying to shore up support among Christian voters.
But, it may not be working. Opponents of the President are pointing specifically to a sentence in the eulogy delivered by Ron Reagan last week at his father's funeral.
"Dad was also a deeply, unabashedly religious man. But he never made the fatal mistake of so many politicians wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage."
In what is being regarded as a slight against the president some in the GOP are concerned that President Reagan's name, and Ron Reagan's remarks will be used against Bush.
The former President's son has refused to clarify his comment. There are also concerns within the party that Nancy Reagan's falling out with Bush over stem cell research will hurt the Bush campaign. Ronald Reagan's name still carries considerable weight both within the GOP and among unregistered voters.
It is not the first time that Ron Reagan has assailed Bush. Four years ago when Bush was running for the GOP nomination Ron Jr. asked sarcastically: "What's his accomplishment? That he's no longer an obnoxious drunk?"
Bush Takes Anti-Gay Campaign To Southern Baptists
by Doreen Brandt
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau
Posted: June 16, 2004 11:22 am. ET
(Washington) Just over a week after President George Bush sought the help of the Vatican in his reelection campaign he has taken his call for an amendment to the Constitution banning gay marriage to the country's largest Protestant denomination.
Speaking via satellite Bush told delegates to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis to support the amendment.
"The union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution, honored and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith," the President said.
"And government, by strengthening and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all."
In a speech that did not name Democrats or John Kerry by name, Bush hit the three key issues he hopes will rally conservative Christians to support him in the GOP in November: gay marriage, abortion and cloning. Earlier this week the Southern Baptists voted to quit the Baptist World Alliance accusing it of being too liberal toward gays. (story)
Last week W. Bush met with the Pope and called on the Pontiff to encourage bishops to take a hard-line stand on same-sex marriage. (story) Bush reportedly implored the Pope to increase Catholic condemnation of gay marriage in the weeks leading up to the election.
The Church has taken up the call. American bishops are meeting this week in Colorado to determine what sanctions they will place on Catholic candidates who do not follow Church teachings on gay marriage and abortion. (story) And, in Boston, the political arm of the Catholic Church in Massachusetts has sent a letter to all parishes showing how members of the legislature voted earlier this year on a proposal to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage. (story)
Amid polls showing approval ratings for the President dropping over Iraq the Bush White House is trying to shore up support among Christian voters.
But, it may not be working. Opponents of the President are pointing specifically to a sentence in the eulogy delivered by Ron Reagan last week at his father's funeral.
"Dad was also a deeply, unabashedly religious man. But he never made the fatal mistake of so many politicians wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage."
In what is being regarded as a slight against the president some in the GOP are concerned that President Reagan's name, and Ron Reagan's remarks will be used against Bush.
The former President's son has refused to clarify his comment. There are also concerns within the party that Nancy Reagan's falling out with Bush over stem cell research will hurt the Bush campaign. Ronald Reagan's name still carries considerable weight both within the GOP and among unregistered voters.
It is not the first time that Ron Reagan has assailed Bush. Four years ago when Bush was running for the GOP nomination Ron Jr. asked sarcastically: "What's his accomplishment? That he's no longer an obnoxious drunk?"
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