Should the Dems have allowed the FMA to get a vote?

[geek tragedy]

From what I've read, this piece of garbage would have lost even worse had it come to the floor for a full vote. Hagel and Warner voted for a vote, but made public their opposition to the amendment itself. Kerry and Edwards would have made at least two more "no" votes. It's possible the thing would have lost 40-60 and that would have been a HUGE defeat for Bush.

A vote would also have forced more Republicans to walk the plank and vote against Bush.

[Still_Loves_John]

1. Because the people who are for the FMA

are way more fanatical than those who oppose it. More people would really be galvanized to work against Kerry if it actually got voted down than would be galvanized to work for Kerry.

[geek tragedy]

2. But wouldn't swing voters be turned off?

and it would have made the Repubs look even more like a sinking ship.

99% of the anti-gay marriage folk are in RED states already--screw them.

[happyslug]

3. The Democrats do NOT control the House or the Senate

What comes up to vote is one of the powers of having the Majority, thus this was a decision up to the GOP Leadership and the Democrats had little if any voice on this coming to a vote.

Now the Democrats can force a vote on a amendment to a current bill and even on an amendment on a Proposed constitutional amendment, but the actual bill is up to the leadership of the GOP majority to present (or not present).

[geek tragedy]

4. The votes to keep debate open were mainly Dems

This was a cloture vote.

The main thing is that this monstrosity died, and that Bush got spanked, of course. I just think this could have been a great opportunity to really stick it to aWol.

[happyslug]

6. Correct, politicians play politics all the time

So you had Democrats who wanted to go on record supporting this amendment knowing it will be voted down. Classic case of Politician voting not how the Politician wants the situation to go (For it is a forgone conclusion) but to vote for something popular back home (or to go on "record" for something that may gain him or her some votes at election time). Politicians do this all the time, the real issue is when such votes are close AND MEAN SOMETHING AND IN THIS CASE THAT WAS not THE CASE.

[JayS]

5. Bush may have gotten what he wanted already. If the intent...

...of the proposal for a new amendment was just to run something up the flagpole that had no chance of passing but would show how the Republicans are out there "fighting the good fight" and the Democrats are working against this. I doubt it would alienate his base and might help him with some of the "swinging" states.