The House of Representatives on Thursday solidly
defeated the anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment (now,
apparently, titled the Marriage Protection Amendment). The final
tally came in 63 votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary
to alter the Constitution.
As for party discipline, 27 Republicans joined the opposition to
the amendment, while 36 Democrats voted in favor of the marriage
ban.
Scheduling the vote on the eve of the first presidential debate
seems to ensure that it receives limited media coverage. But that
doesn't matter: this circus has fulfilled its mission -- shoring up
Bush's support from social conservatives. The federal measure is
now deader than a dodo. But the manifold state constitutional
amendments are alive and kicking. That's where the real damage will
be done.