On Thursday the Supreme Court made a ruling in favor of same sex marriage, letting out a sigh of relief for democrats, a cry of joy from supporters, and a ferocious outcry from the Republican Party.
The controversial decision was divided 5-4. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, and had this to say: “As the State itself makes marriage all the more precious by the significance it attaches to it, exclusion from the status has the effect of teaching that gays and lesbians are unequal in important respects.” he also stated “It demeans gays and lesbians for the state to lock them out of a central institution of the nations society."
Immediately after Thursdays decision, the Republican party took to media outlets to voice their displeasure in the decision. Although a pro-marriage equality sentiment has been growing within the Party it has yet to reach GOP leaders. But the Party has seen a dramatic shift in the way they are choosing to attack this issue.
With the 2016 presidential campaign underway candidates have spearheaded the republican stance on this decision. Thursday’s ruling provided an opportunity for candidates to voice their opinions.
While Mike Huckabee took a hard headed approach tweeting “five lawyers on #SCOTUS can no more repeal the laws of nature and nature's God on marriage they can the laws of gravity.”
Jeb Bush took a more understanding opinion writing, “Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage, I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision. I also believe that we should love our neighbor and respect others, including those making lifetime commitments.”
The boldest statement of the night goes to candidate Rick Santorum, writing, “The court is one of three coequal branches of government and, just as they have in cases from Dredd Scott to Plessy, the court has an imperfect record.”
In the past the Republican Party was adamantly anti-gay saying that marriage is a sacred bond between one man and one woman. GOP leaders have shifted their argument; while some candidates expressed their traditional values all candidates expressed a deep frustration with the workings of the government. Former Texas governor Rick Perry issued a statement voicing that he is “disappointed the Supreme Court today chose to change the centuries old definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.” He also “fundamentally disagrees with the court rewriting the law and assaulting the 10th Amendment.” Although unlikely Governor Scott Walker calls for an amendment to the nation’s constitution.
As the candidates compete to win a nomination some have chosen to take issue with the fact the president appoints Supreme Court justices. Huckabee goes as far as claiming Thursday’s decision was “an out of control act of judicial tyranny.” As party leaders are left to deal with the backlash of the decision, candidates must remember that presidents must first get judiciary approval of a Supreme Court candidate. The gripe that Republicans now pose to the American public is one that both Parties have voiced whenever they were on the losing side.
"America was not built on fear, America was built on courage, on imagination and unbeatable determination to do the job at hand" - Harry S. Truman
