As a result of President Bush's announcement Tuesday in support of an amendment banning same-sex marriage, the Senate Judiciary must debate and agree by a two-thirds vote to proceed with the constitutional change next week to keep it alive.
And experts said they see a schism-in the Senate, among Bush's base and even on the UW-Madison campus.
UW-Madison political science professor Donald Downs said he thinks Bush will lose part of his base because a considerable portion does not believe homosexuality is wrong and feels one, all-encompassing federal law prohibiting same-sex marriage is too restrictive.
\The conservatives are much more divided on this than a lot of people realize,"" Downs said.
Despite many split and undecided policymakers and voters, other experts said they are steadfast in their beliefs about Bush's recent decision.
""I think [the amendment] ranks with prohibition among the sillier proposals,"" UW-Madison political science professor Gordon Baldwin said. ""But if you can pass prohibition, you can pass anything.""
Additionally, with Wisconsin awaiting a full Assembly vote on defining marriage as between ""one man and one woman,"" debates have been ensuing at UW-Madison. Even among student organizations of conservatives and liberals, no cohesive stance exists.
Frank Harris, president of UW-Madison College Republicans said while he is not against homosexual marriage, other students in his group are strongly opposed and plan to debate the issue at an upcoming meeting.
The issue has also made members of UW-Madison religious organizations question to what extent they will strictly adhere to religious doctrines, according to Denell Wolleer, a UW-Madison senior and member of the Catholic Student Union.
""I personally disagree with [same-sex marriage], but I know that other people in CSU have different opinions,"" Wolleer said.
The Assembly will meet to vote on the Wisconsin proposal within the next few weeks. If they vote in favor of the proposal, it will appear on a referendum for public vote.
Eric Trekell, director of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Campus Center said he thinks Wisconsin has a reputation for being progressive, but in actuality does not overwhelmingly support same-sex marriage.
As an example of conservatism concerning homosexual acceptance, Trekell pointed to what he said were many UW-Madison students refusing to be open about their homosexuality in fear of alienation.
""I don't think [same-sex marriage] is going to happen anytime soon in Wisconsin,"" Trekell said.
