Created by: Taylor Ansley
Gay Marriage in the North Carolina Senate Campaign
Both candidates have voiced their support of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, though their stances on a proposed gay marriage ban are differ:
Burr:
In March of 2004, republican Richard Burr said of a potential marriage amendment, “the bar for a constitutional amendment is high. I believe we can accomplish what we need to do legislatively” (Morrill 2004). Months later, Representative Burr was a co-sponsor of the amendment when it came before the House (Morrill 2004). In a position paper on his campaign’s website, Burr defends the decision, saying: “it is clear that this amendment is now necessary” (Burr2004.com). The fact that one of fifteen position papers on the Burr website relates to the “sanctity of marriage” reveals a great deal about how Burr views this issue in campaign context.
In the debate, Burr answered a question on gay marriage by saying: “none of us want to change the constitution....but I can't think of . . . any institution that's more important to this country than marriage being between a man and a woman" (c-span.org). Burr clearly appeals to conservative North Carolinians who identify protecting marriage as their top electoral priority. Burr’s attempts to bring the issue of marriage to the forefront of this campaign dominate a new radio ad, in which he says: “our values and beliefs are under assault by the liberal elite in Washington” (Morrill 2004).
Bowles:
As a Democrat trying to win in the south, Bowles is forced to project a centrist vision on a variety of issues. In contrast to Burr, Bowles does not mention his stance on gay marriage or the proposed constitutional amendment anywhere on his campaign’s web site. Bowles is at a decided disadvantage within the scope of this issue, because he is forced to defend a more nuanced and complex position than Burr. Bowles tried to lessen his opponent’s advantage in the debate, saying: "I oppose gay marriage . . . I believe that marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman" (c-span.org).
Although Bowles believes in the sactity of marriage just as Burr does, by refusing to support a constitutional amendment unless “as a last resort,” Bowles leaves himself open for attacks from the right (Dewar and Cooperman 2004). Bowles tries to divert attention from this issue to the strengths of his campaign. His constituent appeal is to voters who do not consider marriage their most important campaign issue, and are dismayed by the idea of an amendment. As Bowles said: “I don’t believe there’s anything conservative about changing the constitution” (c-span.org).
Created: 10/14/04
Last Updated: 10/14/04