"...The politicians are asked to pledge that they'll protect the institution of marriage and "oppose all counterfeits" -- meaning gay marriages, civil unions or domestic partnerships. They don't mention such counterfeits as all the unhappy couples staying together for the children..."

I agree that it's horrible to call gay marriages "counterfeit". But I become equally outraged when people who's marriages are less than perfect are criticized for trying to work things out, and putting their children's needs ahead of their own. That's not counterfeit. It's called being a responsible parent.