Newsom besting Bush on gay marriage

Yesterday's Washington Post has a great article titled, Foes Confounded by Limited Outcry Against Gay Marriage:

"Evangelical leaders had predicted that a chorus of righteous anger would rise up out of churches from coast to coast and overwhelm Congress with letters, e-mails and phone calls in support of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

But that has not happened."

Mayor Newsom was ethically correct to provide equal rights to gay couples. It now appears to be showing that the backlash is not endangering Democrats or the greater push for gay rights. In fact, Democrats are rallying with internet ads going up today.

While it is too early to say for certain, it is looking like San Francisco's Mayor beat the President of the United States in the culture war. If a constitutional amendment doesn't advance and Bush isn't re-elected, I see no other conclusion.

It goes to show, disregarding poll numbers to do the right thing is rewarded. When Bush took the bait and changed the debate from gay marriage to changing the constitution, Gavin gained the predicted advantage. I think Newsom took his advantage and triumphed over insurmountable odds to change the political landscape of America.

- Bob Brigham
Bob Brigham Politics: Bay to the Beltway
Online + Campaigns + Politics + Elections + San Francisco + Board of Supervisors + News + Blogs + Presidential + Battleground + Senate + Congress