Bowles called two-sided on gay marriage

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- North Carolina Senate nominee Erskine Bowles is facing questions from his Republican opponent over his position on same-sex marriage.

Rep. Richard Burr, R-N.C., is running a radio ad charging Bowles lacks "the courage to stand up for traditional marriage" and accuses the former Clinton White House chief of staff taking two positions on the same issue, the Charlotte Observer reported.

The ad says the Democrat's campaign told The Charlotte Observer he "would vote against a constitutional amendment that protects traditional marriage between one man and one woman and then a month later Bowles told the New Bern (N.C.) Sun Journal he was against gay marriage."

East Carolina University political scientist Carmine Scavo said Burr's ad doesn't appear to be intended to sway voters. "It's an ad that's designed to remind people ... that Democrats in general are more liberal about these kinds of alternative lifestyle issues."

Bowles spokeswoman Susan Lagana calls the ad "a complete lie" that distorts her candidate's stand, saying he "believes marriage should be between a man and a woman."