PRESIDENT BUSH PLAYS POLITICS WITH DISCRIMINATORY AMENDMENT

"It's reprehensible for the President to try to use a discriminatory amendment for political purposes," said HRC President Cheryl Jacques.

WASHINGTON - In an effort to draw out his extremist political base, President Bush on May 26 again re-affirmed his support for a discriminatory amendment to the U.S. Constitution, calling on them to "insist to members of Congress, for starts, that a constitutional process is necessary for the country." During an interview with religion reporters and editors, the president also underscored the lack of groundswell support for the proposed anti-marriage amendment.

"It's reprehensible for the President to try to use a discriminatory amendment for political purposes," said HRC President Cheryl Jacques. "In the same breath he's saying he needs Americans to be pushing discrimination to their members of Congress, he's also saying this issue shouldn't be politicized. The President should be focusing on voters' priorities - like the war in Iraq, the economy and jobs - not asking them to overlook these matters for the sake of a divisive amendment."

According to a May 20-23, 2004, CBSNews poll, 70 percent of registered voters think that marriage between same-sex couples should not be a part of the election campaign. The same poll showed that only 2 percent of registered voters think marriage between same-sex couples should be the top issue for candidates to discuss, ranking well below the war in Iraq and the economy