Fight for/against same-sex marriage begins in Maryland for 2012.

[Wizard777]

OK apparently two supporters were absent. If they were present it would have been 74-67. Not a bad margin at all.

I think this is very good news. It's likely to pass the Senate. But don't go counting your chicken before they're hatched or your votes before they're cast. But all in all, I think we're about to see another VICTORY for the People of Maryland.

[Sprightly]

Another notch in O'Malley's belt for his planned race for POTUS. Don't fool yourself. This is all about politics in MD and trying to elevate O'Malley. And those crocodile tears - bs.

[Eastside Terp]

Another notch in O'Malley's belt for his planned race for POTUS. Don't fool yourself. This is all about politics in MD and trying to elevate O'Malley. And those crocodile tears - bs.

absolutely that's what is about but does this really help him on the national stage ......

this issue is a given in the blue states but what about the swing states ......

he has made his 2 biggest issues this year gay marriage and some of the largest tax increases in the country .....

[Omaha Beach]

Boy Wonder will find on the National Stage that the rest of the Country is not true blue like Maryland. After Obama I don't like the chances of another big spending liberal being elected President. He'll after Obama there won't be any money left to spend.

[MontanaJack]

Gotta get out of the primary first. This will help him in the primaries.

But I have a hard time a Maryland Dem could ever become President. One thing I've learned since moving out here is that Maryland is reviled in middle America.

[Eastside Terp]

Gotta get out of the primary first. This will help him in the primaries.

But I have a hard time a Maryland Dem could ever become President. One thing I've learned since moving out here is that Maryland is reviled in middle America.

you seem to be pretty liberal, sticking to your MD roots ........

you have been all over this issue the past few days ........

how's that play out there? ......

[MontanaJack]

you seem to be pretty liberal, sticking to your MD roots ........

you have been all over this issue the past few days ........

how's that play out there? ......

Terribly.

Even most Dems don't support it. Of course a Republican supporting it, as has happened in MD, is unthinkable here.

[Saticon3]

One thing I've learned since moving out here is that Maryland is reviled in middle America.

For that matter, MD is reviled by a lot of Marylanders, too.

(but, we're supposed to move.)

[regularguy]

After Obama I don't like the chances of another big spending liberal being elected President.

How about a big-spending conservative, like George Bush?

[Saticon3]

How about a big-spending conservative, like George Bush?

No thanks, I'd rather have a cut spender of either party, but the likliehood of getting one from the Dem ranks is far less than from rebubs, Bush aside- who I agree spent way too much, but, its just " Bush did it" I wonder just how long that can go on-- what a powerful guy, who ruined this country singlehandedly for dacades to come maybe forever.

[regularguy]

One thing I've learned since moving out here is that Maryland is reviled in middle America.

Montana is "middle America"?

I would say it's fringe America... just as Maryland (and New York, Massachusetts, and the West Coast states) could be considered fringe America - but with many more people.

My idea of "middle America" is something like Ohio or Missouri.

In any case - re Maryland being "reviled" out there - I would imagine that Maryland is as off-the-radar for most Montanans as Montana is for most Marylanders.

[regularguy]

No thanks, I'd rather have a cut spender of either party

So would I.

But have you heard the squeals from Republicans about allowing the automatic cuts in the bloated defense budget to take effect?

[Saticon3]

time for a real 3rd party
dems will be screaming over defense cuts too its their bread and butter for home district fed money--- remember Murtha? Most are the same just not quite as open and noticeable about it. They'll scream long and hard for budget cuts but just wait until a base is to be closed in their district or a weapon program shut down where a major contractor is in their district- this is true for both parties

[regularguy]

time for a real 3rd party

Unfortunately, our system of government doesn't seem to allow it. The only time a new party becomes viable - most recently 160 or so years ago - is when one of the two major parties crashes and burns. Parliamentry systems are much more accommodating of viable "third" parties, and as members of a coalition they can sway the policy of a larger party.

[Eastside Terp]

this whole charade is just another example of big government trying to solve a problem it created.....

government shouldn't be in the marriage business, leave it to the churches ......

the problem is that government conveys special rights to folks because they are married .......

its just government social engineering to have different tax laws and other policies for married people, etc.......

[regularguy]

time for a real 3rd party
dems will be screaming over defense cuts too its their bread and butter for home district fed money--- remember Murtha? Most are the same just not quite as open and noticeable about it. They'll scream long and hard for budget cuts but just wait until a base is to be closed in their district or a weapon program shut down where a major contractor is in their district- this is true for both parties

Such is electoral politics. Hardly anyone in elective office is immune. (And Murtha was a particularly sleazy crook.)

[Eastside Terp]

Terribly.

Even most Dems don't support it. Of course a Republican supporting it, as has happened in MD, is unthinkable here.

they may be socially conservative but ranch and farm states love their big government subsidy programs .....

they ought to love santorum .......

to me that's the worse possible combination, government involved in your personal life and the marketplace .......

[MontanaJack]

they may be socially conservative but ranch and farm states love their big government subsidy programs .....

they ought to love santorum .......

to me that's the worse possible combination, government involved in your personal life and the marketplace .......

lol, yes, absolutely.

[Baltimatt]

Why some delegates changed their vote to yes.

Olszewski, who is seeking a doctorate in public policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, said he was "dumbfounded" that gay couples could not marry but convicted rapists and murders can. And, he noted, the Scriptures do not allow those who are divorced to remarry, but society — and state law — permit it.

...

The constituent, whom Beidle would not identify, is gay with two children and in a domestic partnership. An Anne Arundel charter school had admitted one child but was demanding a marriage certificate to enroll the second.

Now, I'm not so sure about the need for a marriage certificate unless the child was not legally his and his partner could not be there to enroll the child.

Del. Wade Kach was seated near members of the audience and overheard them--and realized we are dealing with families here.

[crabsnbeer]

Why some delegates changed their vote to yes.



Now, I'm not so sure about the need for a marriage certificate unless the child was not legally his and his partner could not be there to enroll the child.

Del. Wade Kach was seated near members of the audience and overheard them--and realized we are dealing with families here.

I like Wade and have met him a few times. I sent him a thank you note for his vote on this but I really think that that explanation is simplistic. He was gerrymandered this year and in considering a move to the state senate. This decision was calculated.