AP misled on McCain's position on "an amendment to the Constitution to ban same-sex unions"
SUMMARY: The Associated Press reported that Sen. John McCain "opposes an amendment to the Constitution to ban same-sex unions." In fact, in a March appearance on Hannity & Colmes, McCain said he supports amendments to state constitutions to ban same-sex marriage and would also support an amendment to the federal Constitution banning same-sex marriage if necessary.
In a May 21 article previewing a discussion between Sen. John McCain and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres about gay marriage, which was scheduled to air on the May 22 edition of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Associated Press reported simply that McCain "opposes an amendment to the Constitution to ban same-sex unions." In fact, according to remarks McCain made on Fox News in March, he supports amendments to state constitutions to ban same-sex marriage and would also support an amendment to the federal Constitution banning same-sex marriage if necessary. McCain stated: "I believe that states like mine and other states ... should amend our state constitutions. And I will stick to that position until such time, if ever, a higher court says that my state or another state has to recognize the other stat -- another status of marriage." He added, "I'm committed to maintaining the unique status of marriage between man and woman. I think it can best be accomplished, and in keeping with my federalist philosophy that states should do as much as possible to have that done at the state level. ... But if it is overturned by a superior court, I will then obviously support the other path."
As Media Matters for America has noted, in 2006, McCain supported Arizona's Proposition 107, a state constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage and civil unions.
From the March 13 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes:
SEAN HANNITY (co-host): Got a call from a lot of people and they knew I was going to interview you today --
McCAIN: Sure.
HANNITY: -- and I think one of the areas that came up the most was, would you leave the pro-life language in the platform --
McCAIN: Sure.
HANNITY: -- and the marriage amendment in the platform?
McCAIN: Yes. But as you know, I believe that the states should make these decisions on the marriage amendment. I am a federalist, and I believe that states like mine and other states that we should amend our state constitutions. And I will stick to that position until such time, if ever, a higher court says that my state or another state has to recognize the other stat -- another status of marriage.
I'm committed to maintaining the unique status of marriage between man and woman. I think it can best be accomplished, and in keeping with my federalist philosophy that states should do as much as possible to have that done at the state level.
HANNITY: One last question --
McCAIN: But if it is overturned by a superior court, I will then obviously support the other path.
From the May 21 Associated Press article:
"And I know that we have a respectful disagreement on that issue," the likely Republican presidential nominee said in an interview to air Thursday on "The Ellen DeGeneres show."
McCain, who also opposes an amendment to the Constitution to ban same-sex unions, said people should be encouraged to enter into legal agreements, particularly for insurance and other areas where decisions need to be made.
DeGeneres needled McCain on the issue, arguing that she and the senator from Arizona aren't different.
Where does McCain say he will support an amendment to the federal Constitution banning same-sex marriage. He specifically says it is a state's rights issue.
MMFA is misleading.
"But if it is overturned by a superior court, I will then obviously support the other path."
In other words, it's a state issue until the state superior courts (half of which are elected by the people) refuse to do his bidding, then he'll go federal.
And another 14 states have superior or supreme courts where the judges are subject to removal by the voting public under the Missouri Plan.
Both the California and Massachusetts Supreme Court have overturned the will of the people and imposed gay marriage on the people. - RH
Imposed gay marriage? CA and MA are forcing people to engage in gay marriage? How did I miss that news story?
And if that happens it will no longer be a "States right issue", it will then be a federal issue.
How hard is that to understand?
"And in Arizona has already rejected a gay marriage ban, So what option is left for McCain and his fellow anti-gay Arizonians if the voters of Arizona keep rejecting a state ban? Uhhhh...that would be a federal ban on gay marriage."
Stop and read the facts before going of on a tangent. As stated...yes he is against it, BUT it is a "States rights issue". If, and only if, a State passes laws that then infringe upon the rights of another State's voters which opposes these laws...then it will be a federal issue. Until this ever happens nothing is/has changed.
Where does McCain say he will support an amendment to the federal Constitution banning same-sex marriage?
Right where he says "And I will stick to that position until such time...a higher court says that my state or another state has to recognize the other stat -- another status of marriage." Then he will "obviously support the other path."
He specifically says it is a state's rights issue.
Sure, "until such time" when he will "suport the other path", and then it will stop being a state's rights issue.
MMFA is misleading.
No, Media Matters reports the facts. You are misleading.
That's a good call, Mike.
McCain was pretty clear that he supports marriage as an institution between men and women only...civil unions for others...as a state's right until it becomes a federal issue.
This is a thinly veiled effort by mmfa to inject their homosexual marriage agenda.
-- what option is left for the Senator from Arizona except to support a federal ban on gay marriage? -- irony
That's a fair question and one that should be posed to McCain. We could then determine if he really thinks this is a state's right issue or is he just being clever as you suggest.
Mr McCain -- Now that your state has defeated the ban on gay marriage...does this settle the issue for you...in your home state of Arizona?
Good point here by Media Matters...
It is difficult for the media to keep up with McCain, as he switches positions so frequently, and flip-flops at the drop of hat on numerous issues, occasionally doing a full half-gainer complete somersault, as he does here. Still, if you want to be a reporter, you have to do more than just take things at face value.
You have to look at The Real John McCain.
You have to look at The Real John McCain.
The Real John McCain is the Fraudulent John McCain. This guy is slick...
He added, "I'm committed to maintaining the unique status of marriage between man and woman. I think it can best be accomplished, and in keeping with my federalist philosophy that states should do as much as possible to have that done at the state level. ... But if it is overturned by a superior court, I will then obviously support the other path."
The "other path" being an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Pipe down - Tommy's gonna mind read for us again.
And going off topic -
http://www.startribune.com/photos/?c=y&img=1bobble.jpg
McCain is more of Bush again. Bush never gave straight answers on abortion either. We won't know McCain's real position until it is too late. Obviously, we is going to move to the center to get elected. Bush 101. Then he can do what he wants and worry about moving back to the center three years later for round two. The Dems do the same thing. Look at Hillary the Hawk trying to have it every way on Iraq.
Obama is a true Liberal and is sticking to the agenda. You know what you will get if he is elected.
If you don't like it, then vote for McCain, the pig in the poke, and take your chances. But you can already tell McCain will bring more Iraq war, an Iran war, continued civil rights erosion, more immigration fences and punitive laws, less privacy protection for health, marriage and lifestyle, more dependence on oil (including outrageous expenses digging in the sand for Anwar oil in Alaska, less alternative energy policy, less incentive for auto makers to go green, less environmental protection, less regulatory protections for financial securities, more of the same on health costs and lack of coverage, and, last but not least, less (not more) transparency. Even his idea to hold House of Parliament type open sessions with Congress is bull***t. McCain wouldn't survive the first one - he'd get mad and stomp out.
"As Media Matters for America has noted, in 2006, McCain supported Arizona's Proposition 107, a state constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage and civil unions."
How was McCain supporting civil unions when he supported this ban in 2006?