Why I Can't Vote for Obama

If the following report from the Family Research Council is accurate, then I can't vote for Obama even though I really don't want McCain for president. Here are McCain's and Obama's positions on the issues of marriage and gay rights:

Promoting Stronger Marriages

Do you support a U.S. constitutional amendment to define and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman?

McCain: No
Obama: No

[I originally thought I was OK with Obama, because the previous question was the extent of my knowledge of their stands on this issue. But when you drill deeper, Obama falls apart...]

If you do not support a U.S. constitutional amendment to define and protect marriage now, would any of these hypothetical future circumstances allow you to support such amendment?

* If one or several state supreme courts require their states to recognize same-sex marriages from another state.

McCain: Yes
Obama: No

* If the U.S. Supreme Court requires states to recognize same-sex marriages from another state (thus overturning a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act)

McCain: Yes
Obama: No

* If the U.S. Supreme Court requires the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages and/or partnerships for any purpose under federal law (thus overturning a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act)

McCain: Yes
Obama: No

* If the U.S. Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is a right under the U.S. Constitution

McCain: Yes
Obama: No

The Federal Defense of Marriage Act (1996) declares marriage to be the union of one man and one woman for all purposes of the federal government and declares that states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. Which of the follow describes your position on the federal DOMA?

McCain: I would veto any bill that would weaken any provision of the federal DOMA

Obama: I would support repeal of the provision of DOMA that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman for all federal purposes, thus freeing the federal government to give marital benefits to same-sex couples. I would support repeal of the provision of DOMA that declares states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, thus leaving courts free to require such recognition under the Constitution's “full faith and credit” clause.

Homosexuality and Special Rights

Which of the following comes closest to your position on the Employment Non-Discrimination ACT (ENDA) which would grant federal civil rights protection on the basis of sexual orientation?

McCain: I would veto any bill to provide federal civil rights protection on the basis of sexual orientation.

Obama: I would sign a bill to give federal civil rights protection based on sexual orientation and “gender identity.”

Which of the following comes closest to your position on the proposed federal “hate crimes law, which would allow the federal government to prosecute any “hate crime” anywhere in the country?

McCain: I would veto any federal “hate crimes” law, and leave prosecution of such crimes to state and local authorities.

Obama: I would sign a federal hate crimes law that included protections based on sexual orientation and “gender identity.”

Bigelow: Damn. Oh, well, I guess I'll still continue to think about it until November, but alarmed as I am about gay marriage, I don't see how I'll be able to vote for Obama.