I hope more current Republican politicians support it - right now it looks like a pretty decent list of people who were very important - I don't know about "are".
That's a good point, what does that say about our current political process? It seems people are more likely to be honest about how they feel when they don't have to worry about an impending election. Pathetic.
It will be interesting to read this brief after it is submitted to the court. Beyond the obvious problem that gay marriage itself is unpopular within the Republican party (only 1/3 in favor, but rising, according to the NY Times article this article pulls from), states rights/federalism arguments resonate with the American Right. They are arguably even more important to the conservative justices on the Supreme Court. Striking down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional is a significant blow to state power in a realm that is traditionally a state rather than a federal concern (marriage). Depending on the arguments they use, this pro-Big Government stance may be even more radical for these republicans than their pro-gay marriage stance.
That's an interesting angle. Is is a states' rights question or a civil rights question? And if both, which trumps? If it is ruled a civil rights issue, I don't think that states can pass laws that violate civil rights. But if it is a states' rights issue, doesn't that mean that other states to have the right to allow gay marriage if they choose?
This is the same predicament that existed for the interracial marriage debate (whether it was state or civil rights issue).
It's a start. No Cheney though? He's been a pretty vocal supporter of gay rights since it was revealed that his daughter is gay. Wonder why he sat this one out?
I guess, but having practical knowledge of the bigoted nature of not supporting gay marriage would seem an asset.
"You're only supporting gay rights because of your daughter. Where were you before?" That's a sort of indefensible statement -- the gay rights movement wasn't really a thing until relatively recently so it's understandable that he never had a position. Also understandable that he has had a strong one since his daughter entered the spotlight.