Nora may end up back in California sooner than she thinks. The California legislature Tuesday night became the first statehouse in the nation to approve same-sex marriage legislation. After the 41-35 Assembly vote, Gubernator Arnold Schwarzenegger must now choose to veto it or let it go through. That would make him the first governor to decide if gays can marry.
The bill would rewrite the state's definition of marriage as between "two persons,'' instead of as a union between "a man and a woman.'' Schwarzenegger has thirty days to sign or veto the bill, but if he takes no action, the bill would also become law. According to the San Jose Mercury News, California would become the second state behind Massachusetts to legally sanction same-sex marriage and the first to do so through legislation, not a court order.
There is no indication whether the governor will sign or not. The Assembly's decision followed on a wave of legislative support for gay marriage that began last week when the state Senate became the nation's first legislative body to approve it.
But Tuesday's vote was unexpected by many, since the Assembly had rejected the same measure in June. The Assembly's vote followed an intense weekend of lobbying in Sacramento, during which three moderate Democrats who represent districts with heavy Latino or Catholic constituencies were persuaded to support it. In June, all three had abstained.
Assembly Republicans almost uniformly opposed the measure. Two Democrats and one Republican abstained.
To continue to receive the backing of deep-pocketed Republican donors and to further his political career, many political analysts said Schwarzenegger must veto the bill. Others say it's not a given Schwarzenegger will veto it. He has made contradictory remarks on the topic, they note, and Schwarzenegger's personal views on gay marriage have always remained somewhat of a mystery.
Arnold will veto it.
ReplyDeleteHe thinks/claims that voters decided the issue before (in a referendum), but the legislature is overriding it.
He wants such a dramatic change in the CA constitution to come from either a referendum or the court.
By the way, while I am not a big fan of Arnold (not Republican enough, I guess), I should note that he has gazillions and a very nice life. He has no need to "stay in power" by appealing to "deep-pocketed" anything.
Such comments are nothing more than baseless ad hominem.
James, I never said he was deep-pocketed or anything. I guess you're referring to something someone else said.
ReplyDeleteI think what Wired had to say about him a few months ago was right: he is able to do what needs to be done but is unpopular PRECISELY because his own fame and money tend to make him not beholden to anyone.
To continue to receive the backing of deep-pocketed Republican donors and to further his political career, many political analysts said Schwarzenegger must veto the bill.
ReplyDeleteAre these not your words "Kushibo"?
he is able to do what needs to be done but is unpopular PRECISELY because his own fame and money tend to make him not beholden to anyone.
As opposed to career politicians who are beholden to vested interests like unions, who are unable to rectify California's fiscal crises?
California is increasingly becoming a failed state in some respects, leading many to call it "ungovernable."
Well, if anyone has a shot, it's someone who is not guided by political careerism.
The only problem with that is that such people tend not to fight very hard to win elections, because they can always do something else with their lives.
John Fund at WSJ told me what a Democratic operator once told him: Democrats fight hard tooth and nail for elections much more so than Republicans, because, if the former lose, they don't eat. Republicans can often go back to the private sector.
That is, of course, a sweeping generalization, but is observable at the lower end of the political spectrum (GOP candidates with business background vs. Demcratic candidates from "interests" groups).
High end Democrats are rock-stars, of course, and can always find a lucrative career outside politics.
James Na wrote:
ReplyDeleteTo continue to receive the backing of deep-pocketed Republican donors and to further his political career, many political analysts said Schwarzenegger must veto the bill.
Are these not your words "Kushibo"?
No, they're not. Look again: it's what "analysts say," according to the article.
he is able to do what needs to be done but is unpopular PRECISELY because his own fame and money tend to make him not beholden to anyone.
As opposed to career politicians who are beholden to vested interests like unions, who are unable to rectify California's fiscal crises?
Yes, as opposed to them. Arnold Schwarzenegger was able to catapult himself to the top because of his name value and popularity which had virtually nothing to do with political or administrative achievement. He was elected because of his Hollywood career, and so he doesn't owe his success to anyone in Sacramento (except for Sacramento voters).
California is increasingly becoming a failed state in some respects, leading many to call it "ungovernable."
That's why I think some of his proposals may be necessary to break up the paralyzing gridlock there.
Well, if anyone has a shot, it's someone who is not guided by political careerism.
I don't disagree with you there, either. I think you were inferring some anti-Schwarzenegger point of view on my part, but I was just paraphrasing what the article said.
The only problem with that is that such people tend not to fight very hard to win elections, because they can always do something else with their lives.
Maybe some of them. But Arnie does feel passionate about our state and he does want to go down in history as a man who made a difference. Those things alone will make him fight hard.
I once met Steve Westley (?), the State Comptroller, and although he is a Democrat, he says that Arnie is a great person to work with. He had a lot of praise for him (I had a half hour discussion with this man while we were in line for the Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy, where my mother and I happened to be standing next to him).