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Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) voted against a federal marriage amendment in 2004, but flirtations with Rev. Jerry Falwell had some questioning whether his position might change. McCain confirmed on Thursday that he remains opposed to a constitutional amendment. (Photo by Jerry S. Mendoza/AP)
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HOME > NEWS > NATIONAL NEWS
By: JOSHUA LYNSEN COMMENTS
 
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civil marriage for gays. By theoretically leaving open the door to states to legislate gay marriage if they so choose, McCain's concerns about states rights might have been assuaged.
The MPA would amend the U.S. Constitution by adding the following language:
"Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman."
McCain voted against the amendment in 2004, but took no clear position on the new proposal until April 13. During an appearance in Iowa, he reiterated his opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment.
"I intend to vote against it," he said. "I believe each state should decide."
Before that statement, McCain's position had become muddied enough that amendment opponents Log Cabin planned to include the senator among its lobbying targets.
"We're not taking any vote for granted," Guerriero said. "John McCain's or anyone else's."
Some political observers expected such clarification. Wilcox said McCain would've taken a political hit by supporting the amendment.
"I think it would be really harmful to him if he reversed his stance on this issue," Wilcox said. "His opposition to a national amendment was a strong statement — a principled statement — based on his belief that the Constitution is not the place to do this."
McCain's stance against the Marriage Protection Amendment comes amid news that another senator likely to run for president, Democrat Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, supports equal marriage rights for gay couples.
Feingold said he plans to vote against his state's proposed ban on same-sex marriage because it's "mean-spirited."
"It discriminates against thousands of people in our communities — our co-workers, our neighbors, our friends, and our family members," he said in a statement. "We shouldn't enshrine this prejudice in our state's constitution."
Feingold's position won accolades from gays on both sides of the aisle.
"He ought to be applauded for his principled position on supporting mar
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