Gay Marriage Legislation Is a Mistake

The efforts of gay rights advocates to legalize gay marriage here in Connecticut have been covered extensively in the news lately. Supporters plan on introducing a bill this year and using vast amounts of money to sway the opinions of the public and legislators. However, this is a large mistake, and I believe these efforts will be futile.

Aside from the political problems that I have with such a bill, there are large strategical ones for introducing such a bill now. The advocates think that following the civil union law, which was passed two years ago, will give them momentum. Instead, I think people are tired of the ceaseless attempts to bring so-called gay rights back into the news. Gay marriages are now effectively equivalent to regular marriage in the state, with both being granted equal state rights. Trying to argue for a new term for civil unions, especially so soon after the last bill was passed, will be looked at as a foolish attempt focused on minutia.

Next, there still is a Republican governor, and as liberal as Gov. Rell is, she would never sign a gay marriage bill as long as she considers herself a Republican. The legislator has essential no chance at overturning a veto by Gov. Rell, so the overall attempt is merely a waste of time.

After this effort, Connecticut residents will be very much tired and annoyed by the constant barrage of news about gay marriage, and the gay marriage advocates will be unable to bring back such legislation for at least several years, probably until the governor is a Democrat.

Dodd Gets Cold Reception on Campaign Trail

As is to be expected, Sen. Dodd has generally received a cold response on the campaign trail. People don't necessarily dislike him, they just don't really know enough about him to care. And with several Democratic stars already or likely to be in the race, they don't really see a need to care about minor players like Dodd. Even Imus, on whose program Sen. Dodd announced his candidacy, told Dodd that he wasn't going to vote for him.

Dodd will need to make a unique and inspiration pitch as to why he is going to be the best choice for the next president. Right now, he isn't making it. He told the Courant:

"There's an obvious sense of urgency people feel today, a sense of unease, and it's not just about Iraq. There's a desperate cry for leadership, and I'm fundamentally optimistic.

"We're not beyond the point where things can't be done to make the country better. But you have to know how to lead and have the capacity to bring people together. "

Dodd seemed unfazed by his underdog status. "There's a pace to all of this. ... It's 12 months and basically four states," the early primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

As far as the Democrats go, he'd probably be a better president than, say, Hillary Clinton, but that isn't saying much. I predict he'll drop out after the first four states and won't get nominated for the vice-presidency.

Connecticut Politicians on Rise in Troops

Sen. Joe Lieberman is one of the only Democrats, if not the only Democrat, who has been willing to support President Bush's call for more troops in Iraq. The leadership of the Democratic Party is against the increase in troops. Harry Reid is now urging senators to reject any plans, having once said that he would "go along with it." Sen. Lieberman explained his position:

This moment cries out for the kind of courageous leadership that does what it can to succeed and win in Iraq, not what will command the largest number of political supporters in Congress. The battlefield is in Baghdad and Anbar, not in Washington, and we need to support the president as he goes forward, hopefully, with exactly that kind of new initiative in Iraq.
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The worst thing that could happen here is that there be some kind of attempt to resolve this pivotal moment where they compromise among factions in American politics and in the American Congress, rather than doing what is right and has the highest prospect of succeeding in Iraq.

Rep. Shays, on the other hand, has expressed skepticism about the plan. Others, including former military generals like Colin Powell, have also expressed skepticism. At this point, I believe Lieberman is going out on a limb supporting the President before the plans have even been released. With people like Powell unsure about the potential success for such a decision, I think Shays' opinion is far more rational.