Almost no one is foolish enough to imagine that he automatically deserves great success in any field of activity yet almost everyone believes that he automatically deserves success in marriage.

Marriage is a great institution.

Like me the great majority of Americans wish both to preserve the traditional definition of marriage and to oppose bias and intolerance directed towards gays and lesbians.

Marriage is a great institution but I'm not ready for an institution.

My father was on the faculty in the Chemistry Department of Harvard University my mother had one year of graduate work in physics before her marriage.

If marriage really is a sacred institution then why is the government controlling it especially in a nation that affirms separation of church and state?

President Bush once said that marriage is a sacred institution and should be reserved for the union of one man and one woman. If this is the case - and most Americans would agree with him on this - then I have to ask: Why is the government at all involved in marrying people?

But I think it's up to a local congregation to determine whether or not a marriage should be blessed of God. And it shouldn't be up to the government.

Anyone who thinks that the vice-president can take a position independent of the president of his administration simply has no knowledge of politics or government. You are his choice in a political marriage and he expects your absolute loyalty.

Marriage is a very good thing but I think it's a mistake to make a habit out of it.