Sen. George Allen said “I do” to Gay Marriage before he said “I don’t”

(Arlington, Virginia) — Senator George Allen routinely tells Virginians one reason they should vote for him is that they “know” him. And now Allen says he’s finally ready to run on his record and ideas.

Really?

Do Virginians know that Senator Allen used to believe that a gay marriage amendment wasn’t relevant, but is now heavily touting his support of it in order to divide Virginians in a pathetic attempt to salvage his political livelihood?

Let’s tell them.

In 2004, when asked about his support for a constitutional amendment on gay marriage, Allen tried to distance himself from the topic. He answered that he had “never heard” of the issue and that it wasn’t “on voters’ minds.” Allen took the political high road, stating, “‘People cared more about economic issues,’ such as job creation and the high price of gasoline, he said. ‘It's hard to say how it will play out in Senate races.’” [Washington Post, 2/25/04]

Later, Senator Allen even tried to distance himself from President Bush on a constitutional ban on gay marriage. “In a written statement about the president's declaration that the Massachusetts ruling allowing gay marriage requires immediate action, Allen said he was not convinced that an amendment is timely. He continued that he would support an amendment only ‘if necessary, to protect the important institution of marriage.’” [Washington Post, 2/27/04]

Now….

As Allen’s campaign crumbles, he is touting his stance on a gay marriage amendment as his top priority. In a desperate attempt to save his political behind, Allen is traveling across Virginia, spreading his politics of division, claiming that in opposing a gay marriage amendment, “The concepts of foundational values that represent democracy are most under attack.” [AP, 10/26/2006]

It does not matter to Senator Allen that Virginia law already states that marriage is between one man and one woman. Allen obviously holds the Constitution in such low esteem that he sees no problem using it as a political prop to divide Virginians. [Washington Post, 10/28/2006]

Allen has even gone so far as to completely distort and misrepresent Jim Webb’s views on the institution of marriage. At a rally in Harrisonburg this week, Allen audaciously claimed, “I’m for marriage between a man and a woman while my opponent is against it.” Jim Webb, a married man, has stated frequently throughout the campaign that, "I have strong feelings about equal rights for everyone, but I'm a Christian, and in my faith, marriage is between a man and a woman." [Daily Press, 10/27/2006]

Senator Allen used to duck answering if he supported the amendment to ban gay marriage, until he thought he needed it to win re-election,” said Webb spokesperson Kristian Denny Todd. “Virginia voters have more respect for the sanctity of marriage and the value of our Constitution than to let Allen use politics to divide people.”