WEDDING WOES

Marriage-Equality Group Replaces Laura Bush Ad After Former First Lady Complains

After former First Lady Laura Bush asked to be removed from an ad for marriage equality, the Respect for Marriage Coalition has announced it will produce a new spot to replace the original.

In a statement to Politico, the group explained:

We used public comments for this ad from American leaders who have expressed support for civil marriage,” the group said. “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.

The new ad features former Marine Craig Stowell, the Republican chair of the pro-equality group, Standing Up for New Hampshire Families, discussing his support for same-sex marriage and his gay brother, Calvin.


Representatives for the ex-First Lady reached out to the Respect for Marriage Coalition earlier this week and asked them to remove the clip of her telling Larry King in 2010 that gay couples “ought to have the same sort of rights that everyone else has.”

The commercial, which began airing on cable Wednesday, is part of a $1 million media buy that also includes full-page print ads in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

We weren’t that impressed by Laura’s mealy-mouthed endorsement in the first place—especially in comparison to the strident support our community has received from Hilary Clinton and Michele Obama.

Maybe they can splice in some footage of former Governor Jon Huntsman, too?

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