Marital Spat

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) got into a nasty argument over the Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA). Democrats were in a sour mood, complaining that the only reason the chairman was bringing up the MPA was to satisfy the conservative base. Feingold also groused about the small size of the room Specter had chosen for the committee meeting.

"I don't need to be lectured by you. You are no more a protector of the Constitution than am I," said the feisty chairman as Feingold stalked out of the cramped hearing room. "Good riddance," the chairman called after Feingold, as the possible liberal contender for the 2008 presidential nomination departed. There was some humor, though, in the meeting. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said he'd rather be working on something more important, like judicial nominations. That's hilarious.

"Stop wasting my time on something so trivial as a marriage amendment and let me get back to blocking Bush's judges--so the Clinton judges I voted for can overturn marriage." At least that's how I'd translate Leahy's remarks. How transparent.

I am very pleased that the MPA has now been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. This clears the hurdle for action on the Senate floor. But it is very troubling that all committee Democrats voted against it. When 76 percent of Georgians and Texas and 59 percent of Californians vote for marriage, you know those numbers include millions of Democrats. This should not be a partisan issue. Unfortunately, Leahy and company are making it one.

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