ELUSIVE VOTERS

Nelson's stance is like that of many Democrats who seek to navigate a path of reaching voters in the middle without alienating those who support letting gays and lesbians marry.

And his stance has already drawn fire from the right, which attacked him in a Focus on the Family newspaper ad last week and singled him out in an e-mail from the Florida Family Association.

''Every child understands how important a mom and a dad are,'' the ad reads. ``But apparently Sen. Nelson needs a reminder.''

McLaughlin called the ad ``typical of the work of polarizing extremists who think they have a monopoly on faith and family values. It's an attempt to smear the senator by making you think he supports gay marriage, which, of course, is not true.''

In contrast, Nelson's likely reelection opponent is an enthusiastic supporter of the federal ban.

On the campaign trail last year, Republican Rep. Katherine Harris told The Miami Herald she expected that a similar measure on the state ballot could boost Republican turnout at the polls -- as it was believed to do in 2004 when it appeared on ballots in several states including Ohio.

''I believe the majority of Americans strongly support the preservation of traditional marriage,'' said the Sarasota Republican, who faces three challengers in the GOP primary. ``We must never undermine the uniqueness of an institution that continues to serve as an essential thread in the fabric of our society.''

Democrats have complained that the GOP -- smarting from the president's declining popularity -- is bringing up the amendment as a political move to mollify its base.

''Welcome to Wedge Month,'' read an e-mail from a Democratic group called the Senate Majority Project.

But Nelson's position on the gay marriage amendment is also drawing heat from some in his Democratic base who say that the senator -- comfortably besting Harris in early polls -- could take a stronger stance.

GUTSY MOVE

One gay and lesbian group said it applauds Nelson for suggesting he will vote against the measure, but is looking at him to denounce it.

''He's running so far ahead of Katherine Harris and the unknowns, he could be much more outspoken in his opposition rather than playing it safe,'' said Stephen Gaskill, spokesman for the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Democratic Caucus, which boasts 15 chapters across the state. ``There are more than one million gays and lesbians in Florida and most of us are Democrats and it would be nice to have a reason to vote for somebody.''

Nelson's spokesman, McLaughlin, said the Democrat ''firmly believes marriage should be between one man and one woman'' but that the states should regulate marriage.

He notes that Florida already has a law that bans same-sex marriage.

The criticism from the gay and lesbian caucus has been voiced before by other elements of the Democratic base, but Chad Clanton, Nelson's campaign manager, said Nelson isn't about to act otherwise.

''Bill Nelson is someone who approaches his job seriously. He's not that loud; it's just not really his style,'' Clanton said.

Source: Miami Herald