New York Gay Marriage Vote Alters Political Battle Lines

WSJ ^ | 6/27/11

[markomalley]

New York's decision to permit same-sex marriages sets the stage for battles in half a dozen other states and could propel gay rights as a political wedge issue in the 2012 elections.

The new battle lines were already being drawn as states such as Minnesota prepared to take on the same-sex marriage issue in the near future and as the New York law put fresh pressure on President Barack Obama to articulate a clearer position on the topic.

Gay-rights advocates, who celebrated Sunday at parades across the country, said New York's move—a bill permitting same-sex marriage that was championed by Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo and passed by a Republican-led state Senate on Friday—marked a turning point in the nearly 20-year political and legal debate over the definition of marriage. "This is an immense win that brings giant momentum to the movement to end marriage discrimination in the U.S.," said Evan Wolfson, president of national gay rights group Freedom to Marry.

After the gay-pride parade Sunday in New York, Mr. Cuomo said, "I think you're going to see this message resonate all across the country now. If New York can do it, it's OK for every other place to do it."

Opponents said they would go on the attack against Republicans who support gay marriage. Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, said New York's move was a "disaster for the Republican party," and that his group planned to spend $2 million over the next 18 months to defeat the legislators who supported it.

[kearnyirish2]

This will never be a “wedge issue” on a national level, as it has failed anywhere it awas put on a ballot (including California of all places); politicians realize it is a losing proposition with voters, and will do their utmost to avoid it. NY Republicans are to the left of Obama on this issue, and have only further consigned their state to irrelevance with this nonsense.

To his credit, Governor Christie in NJ has already said he wouldn’t legalize this.

[markomalley]

This will never be a “wedge issue” on a national level, as it has failed anywhere it awas put on a ballot (including California of all places); politicians realize it is a losing proposition with voters, and will do their utmost to avoid it. NY Republicans are to the left of Obama on this issue, and have only further consigned their state to irrelevance with this nonsense. Slide 16 and 17 of that deck:

Take a look at this US government sensitivity training slide deck.

The will of the people is a rather irrelevant concept these days.

You can see from the National Republican leadership, they are scared to death of being branded "hate mongers" and will do anything in their power to avoid it.

We won't have any support from the political class of either party.

Textbooks have been re-written to lionize this politically correct "tolerance" -- therefore our kids for 20+ years have been propagandized.

---

No offense, but you need to remove your rose-colored glasses about this country. We are in the midst of a wicked and perverted generation.

[kearnyirish2]

“you need to remove your rose-colored glasses about this country”

I know the country as intended died years ago; I’ve never waved a flag here. I’ve repeatedly maintained that Roman Catholicism is incompatible with our culture (or rather, cultural vacuum). The fact is that Dems avoid gun control in all but the safest ditricts, because as James Carville rightly stated, it is a losing issue at the ballot box. They still want to control guns in the worst way, but outside of their gerrymandered “safe” districts they avoid talking about it at all.

[Dominic01]

as usual, i find it amazing how christie’s signature never sees the light of day in the media, but they’ll give the ny governor’s signature the hand that fits the bill. simply pathetic.

[Sacajaweau]

This is not a win...It's disgusting.

I hate NY!!

[Ann Archy]

God will NOT be MOCKED!!!! Woe be to these immoral states.

[Siena Dreaming]

Ken Mehlman, former RNC chair, is the reason this bill passed.

[Servant of the Cross]

If New York can dodoes it, it's OK a sign from God for every other place to NOT do it."

[justice14]

They think legally allowing them to marry will truly make them happy. They will be found wanting.

[campaignPete R-CT]

the headline about battle lines makes NO Sense.

The only battle lines that are new is for the 4 incumbent GOPers who voted Yes. They need opponents to primary them and run on the Conservative Party line.

The 4 RINOS should seek the DEM nomination when they run for re-election. Dump ‘em.

[cotton1706]

New York’s power is diminishing. It’s not the powerhouse it used to be. It’s losing four seats in the House and nobody reads there papers anymore. Only in their minds is this a big deal for the rest of the country.

[Mobties]

One wonders how many of this article’s authors are themselves homosexual.

[fwdude]

If anything, this will be a powerful impetus for a federal marriage amendment.

[MrB]

What they truly desire is to shout down that internal voice that’s saying “this is wrong” (Rom 2:14-15).

The subconsciously think that if there are no external voices implying the wrongness, or more to the point, that if all external voices are shouting “gay is OK!”,

then their internal voice will be silenced.

[MrB]

And if they aren’t then WHY is this so important to them?

I have yet to get a “straight” answer out of a pro-homo liberal about why it is so important to their cause to normalize such obviously deviant behaviors and desires.

[Dr. Ursus]

It’s all about recruiting!

[justice14]

Very true.

[Help!]

Thank you for posting this. Although I work for USDA I was not aware of this “sensitivity training.” I guess they use in in D.C. but are wary of trying it in flyover country.

[markomalley]

Sorry to be the one to break it to you.

That particular slide deck comes from the NRCS Louisiana state Web site

You may want to take a look at this thread from a couple of days ago (and also the WashTimes article linked there), as well as this PPT (from the Minnesota office of the NRCS).

Your screen name may be found to be particularly apt.