Decision ‘08

California Legislature Approves Gay Marriage

Will Schwarzenegger use the veto? This article in the Washington Post suggests he will:

If he vetoes the bill, Schwarzenegger will retain the support of his GOP base, which he needs in a special election he has called for November. But he could also alienate many Democrats who voted for him and whose backing he still covets. In the special election, Schwarzenegger is asking voters to grant him more budget-cutting power, to block gerrymandering by placing legislative redistricting in the hands of retired judges and to make public school teachers work five years instead of two before they earn tenure.

“This puts Schwarzenegger on the hot seat,” said Bruce Cain, a professor of political science at University of California at Berkeley, who predicted the governor would veto the bill. “I think it’s a slam-dunk that he’s going to have to veto the bill and hope that the anger in the gay community doesn’t spill over into other groups.”

Other political strategists, however, said Tuesday’s vote would force Schwarzenegger to parse his own personal mix of fiscal conservatism and liberal social views. As a former Hollywood star, he hails from a social milieu where gay men and women occupy key positions, and he has spoken glowingly about his friendships with people of all sexual orientations.

“I think the governor’s going to be in a difficult position, because during the campaign his positions were ambiguous on the issue,” said Arnold Steinberg, a political strategist who generally works with Republicans.

Schwarzenegger supports domestic partnerships but opposes same-sex marriage, a spokesman for the governor said.

Stay tuned…

3 Responses to “California Legislature Approves Gay Marriage”

1 Clint Says:
September 7th, 2005 at 1:00 pm
This really puts him in a tough spot — mostly because of the voter proposition from just a few years ago, in which the voters directly rejected same-sex marriage.

Ironically the politics are probably why some Democratic legislators who were previously on the fence were willing to pass this — especially based on the Governor’s incredibly lame “the courts are the right place to decide this” response last week.

I hope he’ll turn around and sign this, with a statement that although he’s not sure he agrees with the law, the state legislature is exactly the body that ought to be deciding issues like this.
2 Mark Says:
September 7th, 2005 at 1:55 pm
Clint, you’re right, this is a tricky one…it’s hard to say the courts are the right place for CA, then turn around and say the courts are being interventionist in MA. Then again, it will pretty much spell the end of Arnold’s political career if he signs…
3 Clint Says:
September 7th, 2005 at 3:46 pm
Probably.

I’d like to think that if he did, it would stun enough on the left in California to seriously reconsider and end up supporting him that he would end up stronger, politically.

But given the stridency of the left-right divide right now (especially of the left), he could probably sign this and still be called anti-gay by the major gay-rights orgs.