Gay Unions Return as Campaign Issue

In the wake of the California decision, gay advocates hope to bring the issue of same-sex marriages to the forefront of the general election. But all three candidates have similar views—they support civil unions but think marriages should be between men and women, the New York Times reports. They differ in nuances, however, and if the issue gains traction in the next few months, look for those differences to come into play.

If, for example, John McCain were to support an expected to bid to overturn the decision at the polls, it could give conservatives ammunition against Barack Obama, the Times notes. But many believe the issue has fallen by the wayside amid a continuing war and a struggling economy. “At best, it doesn’t move voters, and at worst for Republicans, it moves them against them,” said a former Bush strategist. “It becomes, ‘Why are we discussing this?'”  (More Election 2008 stories.)