McCain and Obama discuss gay marriages

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Barack Obama and John McCain defined marriage this weekend, among other things, in a bid to win over value voters.

Appearing before 2,800 evangelicals at Pastor Rick Warren’s mega-church in California, the presidential hopefuls hoped to score big on issues including abortion and gay marriage.

The discussion was broadcast on CNN over the weekend.

Despite their differing political alliances, both candidates shared similar views on marriage.

When asked to clarify his views, Obama toed the holy line, while highlighting his own faith in nuptials.

He said: “I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman.

“Now, for me as a Christian, it’s also a sacred union. God’s in the mix.”

When asked whether he would support a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as such, Senator Obama answered in the negative.

He tied his political beliefs to the nation’s “tradition”.

He said: “The reason that people think there needs to be a constitutional amendment, some people believe, is because of the concern about same-sex marriage.

“I am not somebody who promotes same-sex marriage, but I do believe in civil unions.”

When asked about union McCain answered: “Union – a union between man and a woman, between one man and one woman. That’s my definition of marriage.”

Arizona Senator McCain went on to say that while he does not back a constitutional amendment on the matter, he believes the Supreme Court decision to overturn Proposition 8 was wrong.

He reiterated his support for federalism; the state’s right to determine it’s own same-sex fate.

He would, however, support an amendment if a federal court attempted to cross state lines.

“In my state, I hope we will make that decision, and other states, they have to recognize the unique status between man and woman.

“And that doesn’t mean that people can’t enter into legal agreements.

“That doesn’t mean that they don’t have the rights of all citizens. I’m not saying that..

“I am saying that we should preserve the unique status of marriage between one man and one woman.”

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