Bush still wants to ban gay marriage

President Bush in his second term "absolutely" would push for a constitutional amendment that says marriage consists only of the union of a man and a woman, White House political adviser Karl Rove said.

Bush believes states can deal with the issue of civil unions between gay people, an arrangement that if enacted would grant same-sex partners most or all the rights available to married couples, Rove said on "Fox News Sunday."

But a national ban on same-sex marriage is the only way to make sure "activist judges" don't redefine marriage, he said.

As for the Supreme Court, Rove said Bush would nominate only judges who would "strictly apply the law, strictly interpret the Constitution" from the bench.

"He views judges as the impartial umpires," Rove said. "They shouldn't be activist legislators who just happen to wear robes and never face election, ... (who) feel free to pursue their own personal or political agenda."

Rove said Sen. Arlen Specter, the Republican in line to head the Senate Judiciary Committee, has assured the president that he would make certain that all appellate nominees receive a prompt hearing and reach the Senate floor.