In an echo of the 2004 U.S. presidential run-off, the issue of gay marriage has been placed squarely on this year's campaign agenda. Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama has stated that he strongly opposed a ballot measure which would wind back the recently-changed Californian constitution law allowing gay marriage in the state.

His opponent Republican John McCain has said he supports the November bill.

Obama said in a letter to San Francisco's Alice B. Toklas Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Democratic Club that he opposed "the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution" and other similar moves across the country.

McCain, though, said in a statement to the Protect Marriage Campaign he supported the bill to reverse the Californian Supreme Court's decision: "I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona. I do not believe judges should be making these decisions." [source]

The issue has divided political commentators between those who believe it has the potential to be used by sections of the Christian lobby to mobilise supporters in favour of Senator McCain's campaign.

A poll of 1,125 adults conducted for the Washington Post and ABC News has shown a statistical dead heat  for the all-important independent vote between Senator Barack Obama and his rival for the presidency Senator John McCain .

The survey, taken over three days from June 12 following Democratic contender Hillary Clinton's withdrawal from the nomination, shows the tightness of the election race as both sides court voters who categorise themselves as neither Republican or Democratic.

According to a Washington Post wrap of the poll, independents see McCain as:

more credible on fighting terrorism [but] are split evenly on who is the stronger leader and better on the Iraq war. But on other key attributes and issues -- including the economy -- Obama has advantages among independents.[source]

The survey also showed Obama with a clear lead among those who wished to see change in Washington.

Former President Clinton strategist and CNN commentator James Carville has called on Senator Barack Obama to draft former Vice President Al Gore as running mate in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

Appearing on the CNN program, "The Situation Room" hosted by Wolf Blitzer, Carville said selecting Gore would send a message that America was "really serious" about environment and energy issues.

"That would send a signal to the world, to American people, to Congress, to everybody, that America's getting serious about this horrendous problem that we face," he said.

Former Vice President Gore has not ruled out a return to politics though has always indicated he would want to return as president.

The mercurial Carville is highly respected within Democratic party circles for his role as chief  political strategist for the successful presidential campaign of then Arkansas  governor Bill Clinton.

Image: James Carville: Credit:  Office of James Carville