U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan declares her support for gay marriage; others follow suit

[Ninja108]

I would say even though polls say one thing,I've sometimes learned not to trust them. People may say one thing about gay marriage on the phone or ona survery and quite another thing in the voting box.
As for two years or 20 years..the Supreme Court is kicking the can down the road and they know it.

 

[Ninja108]

I guess..I still get leery when I see polls saying something. I never though Prop 8 would pass..and look what happened.

 

[scream4ever]

I guess..I still get leery when I see polls saying something. I never though Prop 8 would pass..and look what happened.

I think most people didn't, but we learned our lesson and won't make the same mistakes again.

 

[CoolBlue71]

Mark Kirk becomes second GOP senator to back gay marriage

By Aaron Blake
April 2, 2013 | http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...omes-second-gop-senator-to-back-gay-marriage/

A second Republican senator has announced his support for gay marriage, with Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois) joining Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

Kirk, who recently returned to the Senate after suffering a significant stroke, suggested in a statement that his near-death experience has changed his perspective.

“When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others,” he said. “Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back — government has no place in the middle.”

 

[CoolBlue71]

GOP Sen. Mark Kirk backs same-sex marriage

By Lucy Madison
April 2, 2013 | http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57577519/gop-sen-mark-kirk-backs-same-sex-marriage/

Joining an increasingly large chorus of lawmakers and voters both, Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., announced Tuesday his support for same-sex marriage -- making him the second Republican senator in a month to come out in favor of marriage equality.

There are now only seven sitting Senate Democrats who still oppose same-sex marriage: Sens. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Bill Nelson of Florida, and Mark Pryor of Arkansas.

 

[CoolBlue71]

Sen. Tom Carper Endorses Same-Sex Marriage

By Alex Rogers
April 2, 2013 | http://swampland.time.com/2013/04/02/sen-tom-carper-endorses-same-sex-marriage/

Citing the Bible’s Golden Rule, Sen. Tom Carper [D-Delaware] announced his endorsement for same-sex marriage on Facebook. “All Americans ultimately should be free to marry the people they love and intend to share their lives with, regardless of their sexual orientation,” he said. “That’s why today, after a great deal of soul searching, I’m endorsing marriage equality.”

Carper no doubt has seen many of his Democrat colleagues— Sens. Bob Casey (Pa.), Kay Hagan (N.C.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Mark Warner (Va.), and Claire McCaskill (Mo.)— flip on the issue in the past two weeks, and decided it was safe to announce his support in liberal Delaware. A Delaware News Journal poll released in January showed 52% in favor of same-sex marriages.

 

[CoolBlue71]

Tom Carper Latest Senate Dem for Same-Sex Marriage

By Sunlen Miller
April 2, 2013 | http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/04/tom-carper-latest-senate-dem-for-same-sex-marriage/

Another day, another Senate Democrat comes out in support of same-sex marriage.

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., announced today that he has changed his mind and now supports same-sex marriage.

The senator, 66, made the announcement on his Facebook page this morning, saying, “As our society has changed and evolved, so too has the public’s opinion on gay marriage – and so has mine.”

 

[Ninja108]

Which is why next year is so important. Don't think for a minute the Repulibicans will be supporting gay marriage in large numbers.

 

[CoolBlue71]

Here is a nice image of 50 U.S. senators now on board for marriage equality. (I found it from ThinkProgress.com.…)

http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/50-Senators-for-Marriage-Equality.png

 

[Ninja108]

THat could easily change by next year...

 

[scream4ever]

THat could easily change by next year...

And we'll have more states that have legalized it too in addition to federal benefits.

 

[Ninja108]

Indeed but it will be a long road still. The Supreme Court looks to kick the can down the road,and they know it.

 

[chrisrobin]

.
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson supports gay marriage

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/04/florida-sen-bill-nelson-supports-gay-marriage/

It's only a matter of time.

 

[CoolBlue71]

^ chrisrobin: Thanks for that update about Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson endorsing marriage equality! (I wasn't available and appreciate anyone and everyone doing this.) Here is a link to Tampa Bay Times's report:
@ http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/civil/bill-nelson-changes-position-supports-gay-marriage/2113230 .

I'm guessing the next [U.S.] Senate Democrat to come out for marriage equality will be South Dakota's Tim Johnson. He's retiring next year; but if he doesn't endorse, it may be that presumption of fear that says, "What if S.D. goes Republican in 2014!?" But I think he's more likely to come out for same-sex couples and marriage equality before Arkansas's Mark Pryor and Louisiana's Mary Landrieu. I don't know about North Dakota's Heidi Heitkamp. Indiana's Joe Donnelly who, like Heitkamp, was first elected last year is apparently opposed. I have no confidence in West Virginia's Joe Manchin. (As is true of the state in general.)

 

[scream4ever]

And there goes Donnelly and Heitkamp:

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/...y-join-senators-supporting-marriage-equality/

This is seriously becoming like clockwork! I predict Tim Johnson because as you said CoolBlue, he's retiring after this term. He also already supports repealing DOMA. Landrieu may surprise everyone and come out in favor as Kay Hagan did. I agree that Manchin and Pryor are highly unlikely to come out in favor anytime soon, both for political reasons and also because they're likely personally opposed.

I think we'll see more Republicans soon too, most likely Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, though maybe one will pull a Portman and surprise us.

 

[scream4ever]

An analysis of the possible next Republicans to support same-sex marriage:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/poli...support-gay-marriage-next-5-to-watch-20130403

I forgot to mention but Landrieu has indicated that she's personally supportive, so it may not be a huge step for her.

 

[Ninja108]

Here's the thing..the last four are NOT going to change their tune. They are in very Red States where people are already angry about gun control,coming out for gay marriage would be career suicide.
More to the point...as shown elsewhere,just because someone has a D next to their name,it doesn't mean they are for gay marriage. Joe Manchin is a Blue Dog Democrat.

 

[scream4ever]

Here's the thing..the last four are NOT going to change their tune. They are in very Red States where people are already angry about gun control,coming out for gay marriage would be career suicide.
More to the point...as shown elsewhere,just because someone has a D next to their name,it doesn't mean they are for gay marriage. Joe Manchin is a Blue Dog Democrat.

So you say.

http://www.towleroad.com/2013/04/landrieu.html

I consider this a half-endorsement. Not a full endorsement sure, but it's understandable why she wouldn't fully come out in favor right now.

I predict Pryor and Manchin won't come out in favor anytime soon, both due to the states they represent and their personal beliefs. I do expect Johnson to come out in favor soon though.

And then we have this:

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.co...ightsMovement+(The+New+Civil+Rights+Movement)

I think this is a strong indication that Susan Collins is getting ready to come out in favor.

 

[Rolyo85]

An analysis of the possible next Republicans to support same-sex marriage:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/which-republican-senator-will-support-gay-marriage-next-5-to-watch-20130403

I forgot to mention but Landrieu has indicated that she's personally supportive, so it may not be a huge step for her.

That's a total cop out. Way to lead from behind. Pathetic and I absolutely don't consider this limp attempt at playing both sides to be an "endorsement"

 

[CoolBlue71]

And there goes Donnelly and Heitkamp: …

I wasn't on the Internet for several hours until finding this out, from another site, prior to arriving here.

Thank you, scream4ever, for posting this!