POLITICS President speaks on marriage in Ohio

Residents have mixed opinions on the initiative.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- President Bush raised money for the Republican Party and promoted his agenda of compassionate conservatism Monday as he focused on a key state in his battle for the White House.
On his 18th presidential trip to Ohio, Bush promoted his $1.5 billion proposal to offer premarital counseling to parents on welfare.
"I think one of the smartest things we can do is to encourage families" by spending money on grants to states, faith-based organizations and community-based groups that "teach people what it means to be in a successful marriage," Bush told supporters at an alcohol and drug addiction services center.
Bush's Healthy Marriage Initiative is part of welfare reform legislation stalled in the Senate.
"It's stuck .... there's too much politics in Washington on this," said Bush. "
The proposal, which the White House developed in close consultation with conservative groups, ties the concept of healthier marriages to reducing drug use and other problems.
About 40 protesters demonstrated outside ADAS center, where the president spoke. Two women supported Bush and held anti-abortion signs.
Rallying opposition
Democratic presidential challenger John Kerry campaigned last week in Ohio, promoting a proposed federal program that would pay to keep schools open until early evening to help working parents. Kerry also raised $2 million at two events in Cincinnati and Columbus.
On Monday, Kerry spokesman Phil Singer said Bush has had more than three years to focus on the problems of families, saying he "looked the other way" while health costs, gasoline prices and other household expenses hit record highs.
Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken added: "What President Bush should realize is that the single biggest factor in keeping families together is stability -- a job, decent and affordable health care and a quality education."
Several protesters agreed.
"I think it's a joke that [Bush] is here ... to talk about a family initiative when people in this area are suffering the most," said Justin Gabbard, 25, an Episcopal youth minister.
Barbara Wolf, 63, of Cincinnati, said: "I think Bush needs to realize that the world is changing and that people are learning how to relate to each other in a committed way, even if it's not through marriage."
Moral questions
The national furor over gay marriage has complicated the task of those who are trying to energize support for Bush's proposal.
Some groups contend the marriage program could discriminate against single women, pressure some into abusive marriages and convey that they should find a husband rather than seek self-sufficiency. Gay-rights activists are bitter that Bush would request funds to aid heterosexual couples while advocating a ban on same-sex marriages.
Bush also attended a fund-raiser at the home of longtime friend and investor Bill DeWitt. The event brought in $2.5 million for the Republican Party.