Virginia battle on same-sex 'marriage' down to wire

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RICHMOND -- The fight over a proposed constitutional ban of same-sex "marriage" is heating up as both sides of the debate deliver their final sales pitches two weeks before the Nov. 7 election.

Yesterday, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a Democrat, and his father-in-law, former Gov. A. Linwood Holton Jr., a Republican, encouraged Virginians to oppose the amendment, saying the proposal is excessive because the state already defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman and its "ambiguous" language could lead to unintended consequences for unmarried couples.

"In states that have passed similar language, the ability of partners who are not married to obtain the social service and other protections of family courts have been thrown into jeopardy by this language, and I think that would be a very negative consequence," Mr. Kaine said, before signing with his wife and Mr. Holton, a statement from 200 lawyers and legal scholars in opposition of the amendment.

"We're talking in this amendment about fooling around with [the Virginia Constitution] in a way that will create confusion and unfortunately litigation for two or three generations," said Mr. Holton, who has at times been at odds with Republicans for supporting Democrats. "It just runs a serious risk of messing up our constitution."

Their remarks clash with the opinions of most Republicans, including Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Sen. George Allen, who say traditional marriage must be protected from "activist judges."

"The proposed amendment preserves marriage as a union solely between one man and one woman, while not limiting or infringing upon the current legal or civil rights of unmarried Virginians," Mr. McDonnell said yesterday. "The argument regarding alleged unintended consequences is completely wrong and legally unsupportable."

Political analysts agree that the amendment could motivate conservatives to turn out for Mr. Allen, who is in a tight race against Democrat James H. Webb Jr. for the U.S. Senate. Mr. Webb opposes the amendment.

A poll conducted by The Washington Post earlier this month showed that 53 percent of Virginians support the marriage amendment, while 43 percent oppose it.

The proposed amendment in Virginia, which the General Assembly overwhelmingly passed in consecutive legislative sessions, has fueled an emotional and costly campaign, according to financial reports filed with the State Board of Elections.

The Commonwealth Coalition, a group of homosexual rights activists and religious and business organizations, has raised $761,089 since July 1 and has spent $390,316 trying to defeat the amendment.