GOD MUST LOVE LIARS

Not that this blog is turning into All-Gay-Marriage-All-The-Time, but damn, the hypocrisy is so blatant:

Q Aside from Representative DeLay, you have Representative Dreier, Senator McCain, there are others who have cited some skepticism and, in some cases, outright lack of support for a constitutional amendment. Did the President anticipate any kind of division within his own party over this issue?

MR. McCLELLAN: As I talked about yesterday, this is about acting on an important principle that the President has always held. And Presidents make decisions. Events have dictated that there is a need for action on this issue of national importance. That's why the President has called for Congress to begin the constitutional process, because he wants the voice of the people to be heard. The voice of the people is not being heard because of the activist judges and a few local officials who are seeking to redefine marriage. [Editor's note: "Activist" judges. Like the ones who appointed him to the presidency?]

Q A follow-up, Scott. You say this is a --

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me keep going. I'll come back. I'll come back. Let me keep going --

Q -- you say that he's always held this belief. How do you explain, then, the fact that, as a candidate in 2000, he said that this was a matter better left up to the states? How do you explain the change of heart?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, I disagree with the way you characterize it -- as I did with John, yesterday. The President's views were very clear in 2000; they were very clear even before that. The President has always believed that marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman. The President strongly supports the Defense of Marriage Act.

Now, there is no certainty that the Defense of Marriage Act won't be struck down by activist judges. Recent events have forced us to take another course of action. The President believes the only alternative for the people now is the constitutional process, so that their voice can be heard. But events have certainly changed, and it's important that we act decisively to preserve this sacred institution.



And this President has worked to elevate the discourse in this town. He has worked to bring the country together around -- around proposals that we all believe are important. This President has acted decisively, and this President believes strongly that this is an issue of principle, this is an issue that goes to the foundation of our society. That's why he came out with the announcement that he did yesterday.

There is a lot of growing confusion. There is a lot of division going on in this country, but it's because of the recent events that have been occurring in places like Massachusetts and San Francisco. And a President makes decisions when it comes to issues of national importance, and that's what this President has done.

Q So, basically, the cultural war came to his doorstep, rather than him going out --

MR. McCLELLAN: Events, recent events certainly have dictated the need for action on this very issue.

Q So he made this decision in no way in reaction to the strong pressure that he's getting from his own base to make this decision?

MR. McCLELLAN: He makes decision based on principle and based on what is right for the country.

And here Scotty comes in with the old bait and switch:

Q The President has yet to say which or what amendment language he would support. Is the White House going to develop its own language, or is it going to leave that --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're going to work with Congress on the specific language. I have indicated that Congresswoman Musgrave's language, or at least her proposal, meets our principles. But we still need to work on the specific language for an amendment.

Q Now, there's some -- but there's some question about that, whether that would allow -- whether that would prevent civil unions. Is the administration going to back an amendment that permits states to allow civil unions, or is --

MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President's views have been very clear on that. He believes that states have the right to enter into legal arrangements that they so choose, and that would include civil unions.

Q And he believes that the amendment that you just mentioned protects that?

MR. McCLELLAN: It does -- he does -- he does believe that. But again, the specific language we need to continue to work with Congress on.

I agree with Atrios. I think they're lying sacks of shit. But then, maybe that's just me.
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