Two breaking items: Scooter & MA marriage

Long Live the Commonwealth! (4.00 / 2)

Though we will feel guilty if Romney somehow wins ... diary upcoming, maybe today.

---

by: JimC @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 12:55:10 PM CDT

Excellent, on both counts (0.00 / 0)

What are the cances this ammendment will come back in Mass?

---

by: Nicholas Gunn @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 13:12:45 PM CDT

High (0.00 / 0)

But lower than they were yesterday.

As recently as this morning's Globe, a "close vote" was expected, so the overwhelming margin is encouraging.

I think the organizers (many of them "carpetbaggers") will move on to less liberal states, but they won't be really gone until the GOP drops the issue -- which could take a generation.

---

by: JimC @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 13:17:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think it starts back at 0. (0.00 / 0)

Petitions get circulated, it gets enough signatures.

Then the legislature repeats its vote against it.

Rinse and repeat.

---

by: elwood @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 13:20:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I say low - or, they may try, but it's dead. (4.00 / 1)

The next time it could possibly be sent to a referendum vote would be 2012, because to get on the ballot it requires that the legislature vote on that for 2 consecutive sessions.  This vote was the second one, it having passed the 25% bar the first time.  Nobody in the legislature got punished for their vote the first time, so the clear signal from the voters was that it was ok to vote to keep it off the ballot.  Now it failed, marriage equality opponents are back to square one, and every year that passes gay marriage polls better and better.  We'd have won the referendum vote this year, just at a cost of a lot of money and energy.  In 2012?  No sweat.  But I bet you it won't get there unless gay marriage supporters decide that winning a popular vote would be a good thing.

---

by: Laura Clawson @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 15:05:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I hope you're right (0.00 / 0)

For now, I think the GOP thinks it breaks their way. By 2012 it could be different.

---

by: JimC @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 15:38:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, in NH... (0.00 / 0)

"

" Poll Confirms "Gay Marriage" Not an Issue to NH Republicans

Among GOP Primary Voters, 16 Other Issues Trump ?Gay Marriage?

(Washington, DC) ? According to a new CNN poll of likely Republican primary voters released Tuesday, ?gay marriage? barely registers as an important issue. ?This poll of Republican voters confirms what many of us in the GOP already knew?the GOP primary election should focus on the issues rank-and-file Republicans care about and same-sex marriage isn?t one of them,? said Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon. ?Republican candidates should focus on issues that unite our Party, instead of using marriage as a wedge issue in this campaign.?

The poll asked likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire, ?In your opinion, which one issue is MOST IMPORTANT to YOUR VOTE in the presidential primary? Which is next most important? What is the third most important?? Results are as follows:

1st 2nd 3rd

War in Iraq 36% 18% 9%

Illegal Immigration 11% 18% 10%

Economy 9% 13% 12%

Health care 8% 13% 12%

Homeland security 7% 6% 4%

Abortion 6% 1% 4%

Foreign policy 3% 2% 6%

Terrorism 3% 3% *

Education 2% 3% 7%

Taxes 2% 6% 7%

Gun control 2% 1% 1%

Budget deficit 1% 3% 4%

Morality 1% 0% 3%

Medicare/prescription drugs 1% 1% 1%

Social Security 1% 1% 3%

Electing a Republican 1% 1% 0%

Gay marriage 0% 1% 2%

Employment/jobs 0% * 1%

Other 6% 9% 9%

No Opinion 3% 1% 7%

?This poll sends a loud and clear message to Republican candidates,? said Sammon. ?Our Party is hungry for leadership on the big issues of the day such as the war in Iraq, reforming immigration, homeland security, and keeping our economy strong. If we are going to keep the White House in 2008, we must focus on these issues instead of getting bogged down by the politics of division.?

?New Hampshire primary voters have long distinguished themselves as astute voters who understand the nation?s priorities,? said Sammon. ?GOP Party leaders and all candidates for elected office should listen to these voters in the first-of-the-nation primary. 2008 will be a critical election that demands attention on important issues?not divisive politics.?

The poll was conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center for CNN and WMUR in New Hampshire. Read the entire poll here.

Log Cabin Republicans is the nation's largest organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom, and equality for gay and lesbian Americans. Log Cabin has state and local chapters nationwide, full-time offices in Washington, DC and Sacramento, CA, and a federal political action committee.

Grassroots Outreach Director Log Cabin Republicans

  1901 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 902

Washington, DC 20006

(202) 347-5306 x 114
"

"

---

by: Jennifer Daler @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 18:03:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Of course it isn't an issue. (4.00 / 2)

Every one of the bigots running for the Republican nomination favors discrimination based on sexual orientation, as the debate established. Even Ron Paul likes "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

It isn't an issue in the primary just like "anti-gravity" isn't a factor in selecting a car.

You can't find a car with anti-gravity. You can't find a Republican candidate for President who supports gay rights.

And the Log Cabin Republicans continue on, in their self delusion.

---

by: elwood @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 18:09:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

A big sigh of relief (0.00 / 0)

I thought for awhile there we'd be going through this all over again... thankfully, I still have ONE state. Now if Patrick can just get that 'out of state' marriage law banned.....

---

by: nhveedub @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 15:03:35 PM CDT

Here's a question. (0.00 / 0)

What's New Hampshire's policy about accepting marriages from other states?  I know Rhode Island accepts any marriages from Massachusetts.  Does NH?  Because that might be a nice thing to pursue if we don't already have it.

---

by: Laura Clawson @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 15:06:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Jim Splaine's elegant little law (4.00 / 2)

recognizes any marriage from another jurisdiction as a New Hampshire civil union if it would be permissible under our civil union law. (Some age and blood relationship restrictions apply to both straight and gay relationships.)

Very specifically, a same-sex married couple moving from New Hampshire would be given all the state-recognized rights, responsibilities, and privileges of marriage under the name "civil union."

---

by: elwood @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 15:11:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Elegant is a good word for that. (0.00 / 0)

Thanks for the info.

---

by: Laura Clawson @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 15:13:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The actual language: (4.00 / 1)

457-A:8 Other Jurisdictions. A civil union or a marriage between a man and another man or a woman and another woman legally contracted outside of New Hampshire shall be recognized as a civil union in this state, provided that the relationship does not violate the prohibitions of this chapter.

Jim posted the full text of the bill here, along with some commentary and call to action.

The posting was still under 700 words.

---

by: elwood @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 16:21:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Garbled slightly (0.00 / 0)

1. "recognizes any marriage" => marriage or civil union equivalent.

2. "moving from New Hampshire" => "moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire"

---

by: elwood @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 15:19:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

it's not being enforced anymore (0.00 / 0)

it only started being enforced when Romney wanted it. It's on it's way to repeal I think.

This whole thing is a big blow to Romney too, as it stops him from having the referendum down here organize an anti-gay frenzy around (despite the fact is that he's the one who codified the accomodation of same sex couples into the massachusetts marriage system).

Go 'Bama!

---

by: alexwill @ Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 16:22:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]