President Bush Flip-flopping on Gay Rights Issue?

An anonymous reader writes "In a move that has upset some in the GOP, George Bush has suddenly declared his support for civil unions for gay ane lesbian couples. Will such a move help or hurt him this late in the game?"

Comments

How is this flip flopping?

[edbarbar]

He says he doesn't support gay marriage, just unions. Personally, I think there are some parts of marriage law designed for the children presumed to come from that union.

I don't think it is a reasonable assumption in the case of gay relationships that the union will yield children.

So this seems reasonable to me, and doesn't strike me as flip flopping.

Re:Perhaps not a flip-flop at all?

[minkwe]

The constitution already defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Why then is this amendment necessary? And if Bush is FOR civil unions for gays, what difference exists between his position and Kerry's? And if his position is not essentially different from Kerry's, why are the religious groups supporting Bush's position on homosexuality but not Kerry's?

Kerry said in the last debate that he believes marriage is only between a man and a woman, and that the constitutional amendment was not necessary.

This sounds to me as if Bush is lying. Just like with the draft situation.