WEDGE-BUSTING

Gay marriage amendment vote fails 48-50.

The Senate dealt an election-year defeat Wednesday to a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, rejecting pleas from President Bush and fellow conservatives that the measure was needed to safeguard an institution that has flourished for thousands of years.

The vote was 48-50, 12 short of the 60 needed to keep the measure alive. Six Republicans joined dozens of Democrats in sealing the amendment's fate.

"I would argue that the future of our country hangs in the balance because the future of marriage hangs in the balance," said Sen. Rick Santorum, a leader in the fight to approve the measure. "Isn't that the ultimate homeland security, standing up and defending marriage?"

Yo Ricky: Woof woof. Come and get it, right here.

In case you were wondering, the two missing votes were those of Kerry and Edwards, who stated they would not return to the hill just to cast a procedural vote, though they would have for the up-down vote. Republicans were holding out hope that if the two of them didn't show, they might be able to squeak out a symbolic simple majority from this vote. Guess that didn't work out!

[billclinton] Hey, what's with Senate Republicans bringing up culture war issues that require a 2/3 majority but don't even make it to a symbolic simple majority? [/billclinton]

Muahaha.

Well, don't fret Republicans, at least Bush can run on his smooth, versatile, well-managed stewardship of the situation in Iraq.