Amos, the strangest thing has happened. While everyone was anguishing over the improbability of a Constitutional amendment, public opinion has switched from 60% against civil unions to 60% for them. Amazing. Not only does Bush get to solidify his base with a throughly useless gesture, the amendment will never pass a vote even in the Republican controlled House, he's been able to endorse civil unions without any stigma or political cost. Just two months ago if he had come out for civil unions, his own party would have crucifed him. Coming out for this amendment in the headlines of the news enabled him to hide his support for civil unions in the fine print. Isn't it obvious he had to come out for civil unions just like Kerry (and Edwards, who is now long forgotten)? Who could argue? Even his most conservative supporters have to accept it; to do anything else would disaffect the center and cost them the election.

An amazing slight of hand, really. We'll see civil unions allowed in nearly every state with little or no opposition as the next two to four years unfold. Face it, Amos, you've been had.