Former first lady Laura Bush has asked to be removed from a new ad campaign that brings voices from both sides of the political spectrum together in support of gay marriage. Gay marriage advocacy group, Respect for Marriage Coalition, is behind the $1 million campaign that promotes supportive quotes from President Obama, and former Bush administration members Dick Cheney, Colin Powell.
By promoting pro-same sex marriage statements from both Republicans and Democrats, the campaign hopes to present the issue as a humanitarian one, rather than a point of political contention.
Bush is not interested in being a part of the campaign however, and requested that the ad containing her comments be pulled from the series.
In the clip, Bush is quoted as saying, “When couples are committed to each other and love each other, then they ought to have the same sort of rights that everyone has.”
The coalition is complying with Bush’s request, and will release a new ad this weekend to replace the one featuring Bush. In a statement, Respect for Marriage voiced regrets over Bush’s withdrawal.
“We used public comments for this ad from American leaders who have expressed support for civil marriage,” the group said according to Politico. “We appreciate Mrs. Bush’s previous comments, but are sorry she didn’t want to be included in an ad. The ad launched a public education campaign that will now move to new and different voices that reflect the depth and breadth of our support.”
During last year’s presidential campaign President Obama became the first American president to publicly voice his support of same-sex marriage and reinforced his stance during his inaugural address in January.
“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law,” he said. “For if we are truly created equal, than surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”
Reports have suggested that the Obama administration could become directly involved with the gay marriage debate on the state level, should it chose to file a brief with the Supreme Court over California’s same-sex marriage ban.
The administration has until the end of the month to take action, and a brief has the potential to influence justices as they hear the case. Should the Supreme Court declare California’s ban unconstitutional, it could result in the reversal of gay marriage bans in 29 other states.
