Scotty's Big Gay Marriage Gaggle
This entire post is by beej.
Q Scott, was the President at all surprised about Mrs. Cheney's remarks about the constitutional amendment on gay marriage? Or do you believe that she is staking out some sort of different view than the one that the President and the Vice President have advocated?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think -- you should look at what she said, I mean, you can see what she said for yourself -- and there's a transcript available. But the President has made it very clear that he believes it's important to protect the sanctity of marriage. And activist judges and some local officials have sought to redefine marriage without the voice of the people being heard. And the President believes that the constitutional process is the only alternative that we have available.
The constitutional process allows for the people's voice to be heard. And the constitutional process gives states the final say in this matter.
Whatwhat?! You heard the man! The states have the final say! Yay! 10th Amendment to the rescue!
Q But the constitutional process, if there was a constitutional amendment, that would be national -- that would create a national sort of system or rule. So is that different than allowing states to determine the issue for themselves?
Oh! Make him think, why doncha!
MR. McCLELLAN: It's actually a process that goes through the states, as you are aware. So the states would have the final say in this matter. And it would allow the people's voice to be heard in this important debate. This is one of our enduring institutions. The sanctity of marriage is an enduring institution in this country. And the President believes very strongly that it should be protected. He also believes very strongly that the people's voice should be heard in this debate.
Oh, the states have the say in whether or not there is a constitutional amendment. In other words, the states can choose to give up their right to have a say in the matter. Which politicians are high enough to vote for this? Can I have a list of those politicians who strive to disempower their states in the face of the federal government? (It's a rhetorical question.) You're all fired!
Q So you think that Mrs. Cheney was saying the same thing?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, you can look at her comments for yourself. I noticed she did talk about the constitutional process in her remarks. But you can look at her remarks for yourself.
Q And you don't want to offer the White House's own interpretation of those remarks?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I just -- I just pointed out to you the President's views on this issue.
"If you like the veal, perhaps you'd prefer the chicken?"
