Cafferty Attacks "Right-Wing Nuts" and "Lunatic Fringe" On Gay Marriage Ban

On The Situation Room on Thursday, CNN's Jack Cafferty used his Cafferty Report segment to rant against a proposal by Republican Senators for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage as "shameless" and "an effort to appeal to right-wing nuts" in the Republican Party. He further accused Republicans of "groveling at the feet of the lunatic fringe," and sarcastically concluded, "That's leadership."

Cafferty began his segment by labeling it a "lesson in hypocrisy" as he went on to recount a private meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee that was held by Republican Chairman Arlen Specter, and Democratic Senator Russ Feingold's decision to storm out after an argument with Specter. Cafferty commented, "These guys are shameless," and then continued: "Senator Specter, in a real show of courage, says that he's, quote, 'totally opposed to the amendment,' but he voted for it anyway, saying it deserves a debate in the Senate." (Transcript follows)

Cafferty concluded by attacking Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and the Republican majority: "This is all being done by the Republican majority in an effort to appeal to right-wing nuts in the Republican Party, ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Ignore all the pressing issues facing the country and instead go grovel at the feet of the lunatic fringe. Senator Frist should be very proud of himself. That's leadership."

Below is a complete transcript of Cafferty's segment from the May 18 The Situation Room:

Jack Cafferty: "Wolf, today's lesson in hypocrisy comes to us courtesy of the Senate Judiciary Committee. They met in a different private room behind closed doors today and approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. At one point, the thing got pretty ugly. A shouting match between the Republican chairman, Senator Arlen Specter, and Democratic Senator Russ Feingold, who said he was against the amendment, as well as Specter's decision to hold the vote in a private room out of the public's view. These guys are shameless. Feingold eventually stormed out, telling Specter, quote, 'I've enjoyed your lecture, Mr. Chairman. See ya.'"

Cafferty: "Senator Specter, in a real show of courage, says that he's, quote, 'totally opposed to the amendment,' but he voted for it anyway, saying it deserves a debate in the Senate. Majority Leader Bill Frist says the full Senate will now debate a constitutional amendment which has absolutely no chance of passing. Frist hopes to have a vote by June 5th. This is all being done by the Republican majority in an effort to appeal to right wing nuts in the Republican Party, ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Ignore all the pressing issues facing the country and instead go grovel at the feet of the lunatic fringe. Senator Frist should be very proud of himself. That's leadership. Here's the question: Is now the time for the Senate to consider a constitutional amendment on gay marriage?"