Senator Marco Rubio and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush have responded to SCOTUS’ illegal same-sex marriage ruling by saying that it’s now time to move on. Here’s the senator from Florida:
“While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic and must abide by the law. As we look ahead, it must be a priority of the next president to nominate judges and justices committed to applying the Constitution as written and originally understood…
“I firmly believe the question of same sex marriage is a question of the definition of an institution, not the dignity of a human being. Every American has the right to pursue happiness as they see fit. Not every American has to agree on every issue, but all of us do have to share our country. A large number of Americans will continue to believe in traditional marriage, and a large number of Americans will be pleased with the Court’s decision today. In the years ahead, it is my hope that each side will respect the dignity of the other.”
Jeb Bush basically feels the same.
“Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage. I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision. I also believe that we should love our neighbor and respect others, including those making lifetime commitments. In a country as diverse as ours, good people who have opposing views should be able to live side by side. It is now crucial that as a country we protect religious freedom and the right of conscience and also not discriminate.”
In other words: Jeb says he’s personally against gay marriage, and believes it should be left to states to define the concept of marriage, but now that SCOTUS has issued its ridiculously illegal ruling, it’s time to move on and start talking about other issues. Or, as Hot Air summarizes it:
Both Floridians seem to concede that the fight against gay marriage is over and that the party should focus on protecting religious liberty from antidiscrimination challenges going forward. No more empty chatter about marriage amendments, no Huckabee-esque bluster about how the Supreme Court can’t make law or whatever. The closest either of them get to suggesting that gay marriage might yet be undone is Rubio hinting, very vaguely, about future Supreme Court appointments, but that’s pie in the sky. It’s unlikely in the extreme that even a conservative Court will revisit today’s ruling anytime soon. He and Bush are waving the white flag here and nudging the party to pivot to defending religious Americans’ right of freedom of association.
This is an easy copout by two men who are so afraid to alienate the donor class that they’re willing to throw all their principles in the dustbin. How is it possible that these two so-called conservatives refuse to understand that this ruling isn’t about same-sex marriage, but about federalism?
Conservatives can’t let SCOTUS get away with this decision, not because they hate gays (they don’t by the way), but because the 10th Amendment has just been nullified. Whether you support or oppose the legalization of gay marriage, that should worry you and be reason to declare war on the Supreme Court.
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