While Republicans running for President were quick to frown on the Supreme Court ruling that allows same-sex marriage in all fifty states, there's no agreement in the party on the best way to deal with the issue, and that could certainly lead to GOP candidates jousting over their party's response.
Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) immediately threw down the gauntlet to others running for the Republican nomination, proclaiming his support for an amendment to the Constitution that would allow states to ban gay marriage.
"The states are the proper place for these decisions to be made," Walker said, as he labeled the 5-4 ruling a "grave mistake."
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Also getting behind a Constitutional Amendment was former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
"This unconstitutional rejection of the expressed will of the people in over 30 states will be one of the court's most disastrous decisions," Huckabee said, as he urged supporters via email to act; "Let's Fight Together," Huckabee said.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
But not all Republicans were ready to argue for a change in the Constitution.
"I believe in traditional marriage," Jeb Bush said in a statement. "I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision."
"While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic, and must abide by the law," said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
While neither Rubio nor Bush gave their backing to a Constitutional Amendment, both signaled their public support for something that will get a lot of Republican attention - religious freedom.
"It is now crucial that as a country we protect religious freedom and the right of conscience and also not discriminate," Bush added.
"This is a constitutional duty, not a political option," Rubio said.
But the fight over religious freedom was not kind to Republicans just a few months ago, in the dust up over an Indiana law, which critics charged would basically make it legal for businesses to discriminate against lesbians and gays.
Democrats were already paying attention to the GOP reaction.
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