The Guardian newspaper reports that George Bush declared his backing for a ban on gay marriage yesterday in what sceptics said was part of a broad campaign by the US president to win back disillusioned conservatives and divert attention from the Iraq war.

You can read the full article here. The gist is that Bush is once again appealing to the far-right because he and his party continue to free-fall when it comes to polls. The steady flow of bad news about Iraq, petrol prices and political scandals such as tapping the phones of thousands of Americans, is undoubtedly to blame but Republicans seem more fearful of losing the support of conservative activists (for the large part, evangelical Christians) whose high turnout won Bush his second term in office.

Polls suggest the Democrats could win back the House of Representatives in November, if not the Senate, and a hostile Congress could render Mr Bush virtually powerless. Much will depend on the readiness of his core supporters from 2004 to go to the polls for his party. Clearly, Bush and his buddies believe banning gay marriage (and flag burning) rather than tackling hugely important economic and international issues will bring born-agains out to vote for the Republicans.

My own take on this as a gay man is less one of anger, more of bemusement. I wake up on a day like today, which promises to be sunny and beautiful, and take in my surroundings: sharp, green countryside, blue sky, the sound of birds singing their joy of being alive, the sight of my boyfriend when I opened my eyes lying fast asleep in the bed next to me… And I am struck by how blessed I am.

I’m off to make a cup of tea now, strangely empowered by the idea that the world’s most powerful human being, the President of the United States, is scared of people like me and my lover. Wow. That’s real power to the people. !