Pandering or Kept Promise???

I can predict that -- without much fear of contradiction -- the proposal for a Marriage Amendment will be criticized by the left as an act of desperation...

Critics will accuse Bush of trying to stir up his base with a hot-button issue just before the midterm elections.

But the truth is that Bush is wise to change the conversation. In doing so, he is putting the focus of attention to an issue he wins on (and temporarily off of tough issues like Iraq).

And don't forget: one man's "wedge issue" is another man's "campaign promise."
Granted, it is unlikely this issue will help Bush as much as it did in '04 (when he had the benefit of leftist politicians and activist judges who were breaking the law and conducting same-sex marriages).

Still, this is one of those occasions when both political pragmatism and doing the right thing converge.