(Gay Marriage) Ruling could have impact on fall elections in Md.

The Baltimore Sun ^ | January 21, 2006 | David Nitkin

[Clintonfatigued]

A judge's decision that Maryland's definition of marriage is unconstitutional sent ripples through the State House yesterday, with politicians speculating about its impact on fall elections that are already shaping up as a defining battle between Democrats and Republicans.

A revival of the dormant but divisive issue of gay marriage has the potential to rally conservative-leaning voters in an election year, political experts said.

If the discussion leads to a constitutional amendment on the fall ballot prohibiting gay marriage - as some lawmakers want - Republican candidates such as Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who is seeking re-election, and Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, would be helped most, observers said.

[brooklyn dave]

I really really want to see Steele elcted--- and I'm from NY.

[TexasCajun]

[Clintonfatigued]

This needs to be put on the ballot. Too many liberal judges have taken it upon themselves to use their positions to impose their views upon an unwilling public.

The public has a right to speak.

[Heatseeker]

This could well be the kiss of death for Ehrlich's and Steele's opponents.

The General Assembly, owned by the Dems, can keep it off the ballot, but it won't save them. The Ehrlich and Steele campaigns and now take the high road while conservative interest groups pour money into advertising in the state, making sure everyone knows who is responsible for bringing SSM to Maryland.

[Bigg Red]

A revival of the dormant but divisive issue of gay marriage has the potential to rally conservative-leaning voters in an election year, political experts said.

&&
Bring it!!

[Albion Wilde]

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said the plaintiffs in the case were shopping for a venue where they might find sympathy for their arguments. The assembly has made clear its view that it believes marriage is between a man and woman, he said. "The far left is playing into the hands of the far right. They're idiots," Miller said.

'Nuff said.

[Albion Wilde]

Yegads -- is that Elton John?

[Howlin]

I want to know the same thing! OMG.....just OMG.

[KC_Conspirator]

A revival of the dormant but divisive issue of gay marriage has the potential to rally conservative-leaning voters in an election year, political experts said.

I will tell you why. Nobody wants this filth, but liberal judges keep bringing up front because they keep forcefully shoving it down everybody's throat. Furthermore, almost every democrat secretly believes this filth needs to be shoved down the throats of Americans, but know its unpopular and vulgar, but are looking for a stealth way to sneak this past the voters.

[Albion Wilde]

Everyone who hates Christ and Christians wants to ram this through.

[Albion Wilde]

Well, it looks like Donna Versace in the hot pink mini dress.

[TexasCajun]

It's a parody, but who knows for sure.

http://dixi.uw.hu/subdreamer/index.php?categoryid=1&p2_articleid=4

[Howlin]

Look at these:

http://dixi.uw.hu/subdreamer/images/pictures/001_elton_john_wedding_004.jpg

http://dixi.uw.hu/subdreamer/images/pictures/001_elton_john_wedding_005.jpg

http://dixi.uw.hu/subdreamer/images/pictures/001_elton_john_wedding_002.jpg


They sure look real to me.

[ConservativeDude]

church going African American dems overwhelmingly support traditional marriage....I wonder if just maybe so long as they are at the polls to vote for marriage, that they could be persuaded to vote for Steele? That would be incredible!

Not only that...Steele would then win!

[jmaroneps37]

This is a gift! Let the evil donkey deal with the queers ( their word not mine) and their twisted idea of "marriage".the queers will be pressing their noses against the rats windows banging away like lepers looking in at a Thanksgiving or Christmas party. This will drive conservatives to the polls and put Mike Steele over the top.

[longtermmemmory]

It seems the low IQ/level judges are still stuck on stupid for this issue.

The only reason to give such a "gift" is that they KNOW a DOMA is inevitably going to pass and they view this as their only chance to procedurally keep it off the ballot.

[freepertoo]

Well, I know who I'm voting for.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"church going African American dems overwhelmingly support traditional marriage....I wonder if just maybe so long as they are at the polls to vote for marriage, that they could be persuaded to vote for Steele? That would be incredible!

Not only that...Steele would then win!"

---

In Ohio in 2004, a marriage-protection amendment was on the November ballot. Some analysts theorized that the referendum might, counterintuitively, *hurt* President Bush, since blacks were strongly opposed to gay marriage and might vote in larger percentages than usual, but would still vote Democrat, thereby hurting Bush more than any possible increase in the white conservative vote that he might get. Well, black turnout certainly went up, with Ohio blacks voting "yes" on traditional marriage even larger percentages than did Ohio whites, and guess what? Ohio blacks gave President Bush 17% of the vote, almost twice as much as the 9% he got from Ohio blacks in 2000; the marriage issue galvanized black conservatives and helped culturally conservative blacks recognize that the Democrat Party had deserted them on the issues they hold dear. The marriage-protection amendment allowed President Bush to win Ohio by over 2%, far beyond recount range.

In Maryland, I would assume that support for gay marriage is a bit higher than in Ohio, but not that much higher. Maryland is far more Democrat than Ohio (President Bush got only 43% in MD versus 51% in OH), but blacks form a much higher percentage of MD Democrats than of OH Democrats, so the percentage of Democrats for gay marriage in MD will be lower than the percentage of Democrats for gay marriage in OH. I think getting a marriage-protection amendment on the ballot would give Governor Ehrlich and Lt. Gov. Steele a great boost in the gubernatorial and senatorial race, respectively.

[ConservativeDude]

"...gay marriage in MD will be lower than the percentage of Democrats for gay marriage in OH. I think getting a marriage-protection amendment on the ballot would give Governor Ehrlich and Lt. Gov. Steele a great boost in the gubernatorial and senatorial race, respectively."

great analysis, i totally agree!!!