Same-sex marriage: Jeb Bush supports 'traditional marriage' but calls for 'respect' for those making 'lifetime commitments'

Jeb Bush (Reuters)

Jeb Bush has issued a careful balancing act of a statement following the US Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage.

Bush, 62, issued a statement after the Court’s historic ruling – by only one vote – to provide homosexual couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.

In the statement, published on his campaign website, he writes: “Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage. I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision.”

It initially appears to be a confirmation of the former Governor of Florida’s move to the right after a brief period where he appeared to soften his stance towards LGBT rights, calling on people to show “respect” for gay couples – provided they were in long-term relationships.

However, the statement goes on to claim that Americans should love their neighbours, “including those making lifetime commitments” and “good people who have opposing views”.

His careful wording stands in contrast to other Republican presidential candidates, most of whom were quick to condemn the decision.

Outspoken former Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal claiming the ruling "will pave the way for an all out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree with this decision."

Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor, went as far as to call the decision "one of the court's most disastrous opinions."