Congrats; sucks for Obama and Congressional Dems though. - Edit 1
Before modification by Joel at 09/02/2012 02:51:21 AM
Unless one of the liberals joins Roberts, Alito, Scalia and Thomas to overturn the lower court ruling. Seems unlikely from what I know of them, but I do not follow the court closely; I believe Kennedy is usually the swing vote, and has a pretty gay friendly voting record.
That means a ruling before November could well be that final serious blow to Obama. It is hard to imagine homosexuals voting FOR him in greater numbers than homophobic heterosexuals vote AGAINST him in response to a favorable ruling. Particularly since the former would largely LOSE an incentive once the decision is final, while the latter would have strong incentive to retaliate by throwing him out of office. That would essentially leave him hoping pro-gay marriage heterosexuals feel strongly enough about it to re-elect him on that issue and despite all the others, even though very little further work will be necessary on that one.
Understand, I am glad homosexuals right to lives with whom they please will (probably) be recognized, but as someone who fears the Romney (or rather, fears the Republican Romney more than the Democratic one,) the timing concerns me. Opposition to gay marriage is one of the few issues where Romney has been fairly consistent (by Romney standards he has been as constant as the northern star.) So I am glad it happened, but cannot help feeling it may be somewhat a Pyrrhic victory.
That means a ruling before November could well be that final serious blow to Obama. It is hard to imagine homosexuals voting FOR him in greater numbers than homophobic heterosexuals vote AGAINST him in response to a favorable ruling. Particularly since the former would largely LOSE an incentive once the decision is final, while the latter would have strong incentive to retaliate by throwing him out of office. That would essentially leave him hoping pro-gay marriage heterosexuals feel strongly enough about it to re-elect him on that issue and despite all the others, even though very little further work will be necessary on that one.
Understand, I am glad homosexuals right to lives with whom they please will (probably) be recognized, but as someone who fears the Romney (or rather, fears the Republican Romney more than the Democratic one,) the timing concerns me. Opposition to gay marriage is one of the few issues where Romney has been fairly consistent (by Romney standards he has been as constant as the northern star.) So I am glad it happened, but cannot help feeling it may be somewhat a Pyrrhic victory.