In a column for the conservative magazine, The Weekly Standard, Fred Barnes broke the news that President Bush has decided to bow to the weeks of demands from the right-wing extremist groups and hold a press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House to reiterate his support of the Federal Marriage Amendment. According to Barnes, the Rose Garden press conference is scheduled for Monday, June 5, a day before the Senate is expected to vote down the Constitutional amendment.

You may remember Laura Bush speaking out on how the right-wing extremists should not be using this as a campaign tool for Republicans. She has also denounced need for a discriminatory constitutional amendment. Though to no surprise--they are using it. Given the stakes at hand, prominent Republicans won't get in the way of a good wedge issue that has worked for them in the past.

The press conference, which will be attended by strong supporters of the Constitutional Amendment, as well as right-wing legislators will be held in the Rose Garden at The White House.

Joe Solmonese of HRC made a statement regarding the use of this location. "Rose Garden addresses have historically been reserved for occasions of unity and justice. Unfortunately, President Bush will break with history and use the Rose Garden as a backdrop to promote discrimination against a group of Americans. The President should stop playing politics with our Constitution and use his speech as an opportunity to lay out an agenda to fix what's really wrong in America."

Solmonese continued, "It's a national disgrace that President Bush has yet again bowed to the far-right extremists. Instead of addressing the real challenges facing American families--from record high gas prices, bankrupting health care costs and an endless and costly war in Iraq--the President will further divide this country and put the far-right extremist's interests ahead of the American people's well-being."

We ask you to take action via HRC. Tell your elected officials that we will not stand for this.

Here are two ways to help at the national level via HRC.

ONE:
Send a postcard. When you fill out the form, a postcard with your name and address will automatically print out at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters. The HRC staff and volunteers will hand-deliver each postcard to congressional offices on June 5 - the week of the Senate vote. Click here to sign it.

TWO:
If you make a donation to HRC to help fight this expensive battle, your gift will be matched by an HRC Board Member. Click here to learn more.

Bryan Boyd, BRO Communications Coordinator

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at 11:43 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.