Maine

In Flip, Anti-Gay Marriage Question Now Leading In Maine

Rachel Slajda | November 3, 2009, 10:48PM

In a Maine ballot measure, the votes against gay marriage have taken the lead, with 51 percent of the vote.

With 28 percent of precincts reporting, it's still too soon to call. But it's worth noting that the numbers have flipped in favor of abolishing Maine's gay marriage law. From the time the polls closed at 8 p.m. until just recently, the numbers had shown more votes to uphold gay marriage.

Votes for Question 1 would abolish the law, and votes against it would uphold gay marriage.

The high turnout -- the city clerk in Bangor, for example, saw more voters than at a gubernatorial election -- does, however, bode well for gay marriage.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 26, 2009, 1:05PM

Obama: "The International Community Is More United Than Ever Before" On Iran
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama spoke of international cooperation at the G-20 Summit -- including on the crucial issue of dealing with Iran's nuclear program:

"On this, the international community is more united than ever before," said Obama, later adding: "Iran's leaders must now choose - they can live up to their responsibilities and achieve integration with the community of nations. Or they will face increased pressure and isolation, and deny opportunity to their own people."

Isakson Blasts Dems For "Demonizing Regular Citizens" On Health Care
In this weekend's Republican video, Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) criticized the Democrats on health care, accusing Democrats of a "heavy-handed approach" that has involved "demonizing regular citizens":

"Americans are rightly concerned about the rush to pass a massive overhaul that will raise their taxes, lower their quality of care and put government between them and their doctor," said Isakson. "They also are concerned about the heavy-handed approach the Democrats have taken, such as demonizing regular citizens for asking questions about their plans and imposing a gag order on insurers for suggesting anyone might lose benefits under the Democrats' plan."

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Dick Cheney

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 13, 2009, 9:01AM

Report: Cheney Frustrated That Bush Went Soft, Didn't Follow His Advice
The Washington Post reports that former Vice President Dick Cheney's upcoming memoirs will show a great sense of disappointment at former President George W. Bush -- that Bush didn't take his advice as much in the second term. "The implication was that Bush had gone soft on him, or rather Bush had hardened against Cheney's advice," said a participant at a recent gathering. "He'd showed an independence that Cheney didn't see coming. It was clear that Cheney's doctrine was cast-iron strength at all times -- never apologize, never explain -- and Bush moved toward the conciliatory."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive his routine daily briefings this morning. There are no scheduled public events.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 23, 2009, 9:00AM

Sanford's Office: He's Hiking
Gov. Mark Sanford's (R-SC) office told reporters last night that he is hiking the Appalachian Trail. However, they apparently do not know exactly where is along the Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine -- but interestingly enough, does not pass through South Carolina. "He's an avid outdoorsman," said his spokesman. "Nobody's ever accused our governor of being conventional."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a news conference at 12:30 p.m. ET, in the Rose Garden. At 2:15 p.m. ET, he will meet one-on-one with President Michelle Bachelet of Chile, and they will have an expanded meeting at 2:45 p.m. ET. At 4:45 p.m. ET, Obama will meet with Sec. of Defense Robert Gates.

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Afghanistan

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 19, 2009, 9:01AM

New Health Care Draft Leaves Out Public Option
The Washington Post reports that a new draft health-care proposal from the Senate Finance Committee includes an individual mandate expands Medicaid coverage -- and leaves out the public option: "Yesterday, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) met with four Republicans, including Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa), the ranking GOP member on the panel, along with two Democratic colleagues in an attempt to find bipartisan consensus. Baucus dubbed the group 'the coalition of the willing.'"

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks at 9:30 a.m. ET, at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference. At 3:15 p.m. ET, he will mark Father's Day weekend by holding an event in the East Room to discuss fatherhood and mentoring. At 4 p.m. ET, he will meet at the South Lawn with young men from local schools. At 8 p.m. ET, he will attend the Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner.

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Gay Marriage

New Hampshire Legislators Finally Get Out The Votes For Gay Marriage

Eric Kleefeld | June 3, 2009, 4:49PM

The New Hampshire state House has now passed a gay marriage bill after a misfire two weeks ago, putting this state on the road to full marriage equality.

So what has made the difference? Two weeks ago, I pointed out that this bill had become a case study in get-out-the-vote for a chamber of 400 members. The initial version passed by a 178-167 margin. But Gov. John Lynch (D) wouldn't sign it without expressly codified exemptions for religious institutions that didn't want to participate in gay marriage.

That new version then initially failed by a margin of 188-186 -- owing mainly to marriage opponents doing a better job this time of getting their people to the chamber.

But now the new version has passed 198-176. Marriage-equality supporters took another bite at the apple, ironed out some final language, and picked up those remaining votes they needed.

Late Update: Gov. Lynch has signed the bill, officially legalizing gay marriage in the state of New Hampshire. The new law will take effect January 1, 2010.

Gay Marriage

New Hampshire Gay Marriage Fumble A Lesson In Get-Out-The-Vote

Eric Kleefeld | May 20, 2009, 5:28PM

As you've heard, the New Hampshire state House just narrowly rejected a compromise gay marriage bill that Gov. John Lynch (D) was prepared to sign -- only two weeks after they'd previously voted in favor of gay marriage. So what happened?

The answer comes down to a term often used in politics, just not all that much in this context: GOTV.

To start with, little old New Hampshire has absurdly large lower chamber -- with 400 members for a state that has just two Congressional districts. Two weeks ago, the House voted 178-167 for the bill -- meaning that 55 members didn't vote. Today, the vote was 186 yes to 188 no, with 26 people not voting -- 29 less abstainers than last time.

Looking at the two votes, there don't appear to have been people switching from being pro-gay marriage to anti-gay marriage. The difference came from the anti-marriage equality forces doing a better job getting their folks to show up. This is probably not the last we've heard of this issue.

Late Update: Interestingly, there was at least one legislator who switched from yes to no -- a gay Republican who opposed the new concessions to religious institutions not wanting to honor gay marriages.

Jeff Sessions

Sessions Aide Compares Gay Marriage To Pedophilia, Bestiality

Brian Beutler | May 19, 2009, 2:32PM

Last week, I noted that Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), the Republicans' brand new Judiciary Committee ranking member, is bringing an almost entirely new team of aides along with him to replace many of the staffers who backed up the committee minority when its ranking member was Arlen Specter.

In particular, I highlighted the case of Brian Benczkowski, who, in a previous life, was a key Bush administration figure tasked with covering up corruption in the Justice Department.

It turns out, though, that Benczkowski is just one in a series of elite picks. Among others, he's joined by one William Smith, the panel's new chief Republican counsel, who has a colorful history of his own. For instance, if you're wondering what sort of legal mind Smith brings to the powerful committee, you need look no further than this post, which contains his measured thoughts on Republicans--like former McCain adviser Steve Schmidt--who support gay equality.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 17, 2009, 1:03PM

Obama Delivering Notre Dame Commencement Address Today
President Obama is scheduled to deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, at 2 p.m. ET. Pro-life protesters have already marched at the campus against Obama's pro-choice position. At 6:10 p.m. ET, he will headline a Democratic fundraiser in Indianapolis. He is scheduled to arrive back at the White House at 9 p.m. ET.

Steele: Notre Dame Honorary Degree For Obama 'Inappropriate'
Appearing today on Meet The Press, RNC chairman Michael Steele criticized the decision of Notre Dame to award President Obama an honorary degree. "Those institutions don't hand those degrees out that readily. So it is a very strong sticking point, and I think a lot of Catholics and a lot of pro-life Americans are very concerned about that, and I think it is inappropriate," said Steele. He added: "The president should speak, but the degree should not be conferred."

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Gay Marriage

Maine Affirms Right Of Gays, Lesbians To Marry

Brian Beutler | May 6, 2009, 1:01PM

John Baldacci, the Governor of Maine, has signed a law legalizing gay marriage.

"I have followed closely the debate on this issue," Baldacci said. "I have listened to both sides, as they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully. I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste."

The move represents a change in the governor's thinking. "In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions," Baldacci said. "I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage."

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