So?

Gay is defined as "joyous and lively; merry; happy; light hearted." I don't know why such people should have any more rights than us misanthropes!

We all know how to defeat Kerry because it's been done before- (1) trash the war hero, (2) tell America that the Vietnam-dodging ex-drug addict is the real patriot, (3) refuse to answer any questions about the botched war in Iraq and of course (4) convince the retards that making a decision based on logic and evidence is 'flip-flopping' when your opponent does it! Presto! You are the lord-of-'tards!

It's funny, Kerry was right on this issue. And it cost him dearly among what should have been his faithful, reliable base. But by far the majority of Americans oppose gay marriage. Period. It is, and will continue to be, a loser of an issue for every Democrat candidate, at every level, whenever it is brought up. But the pro-gay activist zealots march on. Oddly, I am not opposed to gay civil unions, I believe it is the proper legal answer to a number of legitimate legal injustices encountered by gays (whom I neither hate nor wish to see wronged) in our system of laws. And it does secure all of the "rights" (those guaranteed by the Constitution, and those imaginary) which they contend they are denied. What is remarkable to me is how "big" an issue this has become with so few (though they are very loud and very confrontational) proponents anywhere in the US. Most gays have no desire to marry. Civil unions accomplish the same things which the tiny but very loud gay activist lobby want to accomplish by stretching the definition of marriage to include two people of a single gender. What's more to be gained? And yet, they fight on, to the detriment of their only real friend on the political landscape, the utra-liberal wing of the Democrat Party. Ask John Kerry.

In Afropath's little world being gay should be a crime. Thank God we don't all live in it with her. I just don't see the issue with some people on this. There are gay people, they exist, millions of them in every society in the world; like there are red haired people, twins, people with one leg; they just are. Just accept them as they are and that they share love too which is a right of all humans and get over it!

This is an issue where Kerry appears to be on the side of logic (how would gay civil unions negatively impact heterosexual marriage?). His stance may hurt him, but there is no use lying about it. Anyway, I have to chuckle that now Bush is saying he disagrees with the GOP platform and that he supports states' rights to recognize homosexual civil unions. Sounds like Bush wants to have it both ways. I believe there's a word for that. Waffles, anyone?

Ask yourself this, is it the government's right to decide what people do in their social lives? Is it the governments right to dictate who can marry and who cant? My answer NO. I guess this is the same though as the government can dictate where whites go and blacks go. We learned before dont repeat history, learn from it. Discrimination against a minority group is not the way to move a country forward. I praise Kerry for understanding that even though he is Catholic and his faith speaks out against gays, YOU DO NOT FORCE THAT upon the rest of the country.

People ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to. - VP Dick Cheney

This is a big issue for me, considering my faith. How can homosexuals have civil unions? Even heteros like me don't have that. Besides, is it natural to be gay? Is it natural to be a serial killer? Some of you think that is comparing apples and oranges, but homosexuals and serial killers go to the same place when they die, civil union or not. It's sad that this had to be an issue, when being gay should be a crime.

A lot of people don't like it but it isn't a huge issue for 2/3 of the population and of the 1/3 for whom it is the vast majority are already Bush supporters. It might tip a very few people who're on the fence against Kerry, but on other hand the Republicans attempt to amend the constitution struck a decidedly sour note and seems equally likely to alienate swing voters.

Who cares? This doesn't effect 95% of the population.

But how does that affect you or I?

He loses much support here instead og gaining it. Most gays want full marriage, not civil unions. Yet 73% of America is against it, and 56% are against unions.

this might rate a five if issues such as the war on terrorism, the economy, abortion, gun control, health care, and foreign and domestic policy disappeared.

If it is such a non-issue Beloved, why do you keep ranting and raving about it like it is? You have the right to your opinion, and I respect it. But if you are going to preach to the choir about gays shoving their lifestyles down your throat, don't shove your beliefs down ours ! It is a two-way street...

Non-issue for me.

So? Big deal. Civil unions are not the same as marriage, and I say let gay people get married. If they are religious then let them marry under the eyes of God in a church ceremony or something. When I hear 'supports civil unions', I am repulsed. Not because I think that gay people shouldn't have the same rights as non-gay people, but because I can read between the lines and see that Kerry is a political coward who will use such terms in order to appeal to the widest possible demographic. 'Civil unions' may assuage the slightly right-of-center folks as well as some conservative gays, but it is nowhere near the same thing as marriage. I suppose Bush could attack Kerry for this and they could all pretend that there is some huge ideological gulf separating the two men, but I am horrified that this is even considered an important political issue in these enlightened times. Whatever.

A big deal with the far left and religious right, but not a major issue with moderates considering so many other legitimate issues to be concerned with like the war in Iraq, terroroism and the economy. Overall, however, I feel Kerry is going to lose a few votes on this issue.

Public opinion on gay rights is all over the place. This has more dimensions to it than initially meets the eye. As Magellan pointed out, about 2/3rd's of the population opposes gay marriage. However, more people do support civil unions and a solid majority of people oppose a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Kerry actually doesn't support gay marriage and has gone to great lengths to make this point. It's a controversial issue that's a flashpoint for many voters. It isn't as important as other issues, but clearly it benefits the Republicans right now. Although he goes on at length to distinguish himself as a moderate on this issue, Kerry's position will nonetheless hurt him in some culturally conservative areas of the country. Civil Unions is just a way to be politically neat about the subject. It is taking religion out of marriage essentially. Today more than ever you see these relgious and moral issues being fought out in the political arena. The country will remain polarized between the so-called red and blue states as long as this continues. There is little consensus on issues like abortion and gay rights. It won't defeat John Kerry because his position isn't very controversial, but in the South specifically, it could be seen as a deal breaker. If the South goes again completely for Bush, expect a close race with only a handful of states deciding the race.

He supports civil unions but not marriage.. just to be perfectly accurate.

Sadly, Kerry is vulnerable here. I believe something like 62% of Americans are against Gay Marriage. Some people would call it equal rights under the law, some people call it moral decay and a threat to hetero marriage (for the record, i wish someone would explain these arguments to me.)