McBride is confirmed as a yes.
Senator Dave McBride confirmed to ThinkProgress today that he will vote yes on HB 75, the Marriage Equality bill. Our sources in the General Assembly had already had McBride as a yes vote on the bill, but this is good news that he is confirming it to the media, as it takes away any uncertainty concerning his vote. With Senator Bushweller confirming yesterday that he is a yes, that leaves the whip count at 10-9 in favor, with 2 Senators having not publicly stated how they will vote: Democratic Senator Bethany Hall Long and Republican Senator Cathy Cloutier. And ironically, the information we have on how each might vote goes against your typical partisan breakdown, with Hall Long leaning no and Cloutier leaning yes.
However, I have been told by a source close to the situation that Senator Hall Long is not in the no column. She is not in the yes column either. And right now she is being very negatively lobbied by the anti-equality, pro-bigotry side (no doubt supported by the Glasgow area Church with that Westboro sign in lights on 896), and it seems to be pushing her in the opposite direction. I am told she has gotten many hundreds of positive calls from constituents on the pro-equality side, so we need to keep up that positive lobbying.
That goes ditto for Senator Cloutier too. The positive pressure on her needs to be continued. I am told she is leaning our way, and voting for marriage equality seems to be a no-brainer given the political and electoral considerations in her district. She has been very good this session living up to the moderate image she presents in her campaigns of her record. She needs to keep it up, because this vote is an important one.
And here’s why.
Echoing back to a point I made in a comment concerning my profound disappointment in Representative Earl Jaques’ vote on HB 75 earlier this week, this is a legacy vote. Whether you vote yes or no, it will be remembered. Vote yes, and in 40 years you will be remembered as a champion for civil rights. Vote no, and you will look as craven and ridiculous as those black and white photos of the protesters on the Supreme Court steps back in the 50’s and 60’s, decrying interracial marriage and integration. This vote will be remembered, no matter how you vote. And given that the younger generations do not look upon homosexuality as anything other than a distinction without a difference, i.e. it no more condemns you to hell than having been born with blue eyes versus brown eyes, being born with brown skin versus white skin, or being born gay or straight.
We are all human, we all love, and we are all equal.
And if you vote no to that, you are saying you disagree with the above statement, and it will be remembered. And not in a good way that places you in a positive light in the history books. Instead the students of the future will look upon your no vote with the same amount of confusion and puzzlement that one looks upon George Wallace as he stands in a doorway refusing to let a black girl get an education.
So here is your update on the whip count in chart form. Senators Hall Long and Cloutier, your legacy. It’s up for grabs.
How definite is Marshall?
He has not publicly announced his intention, but the information we have is that he is a yes.
Thank you.
It runs contrary to the typical BHL gameplan to allow herself to get in the spotlight like this. It can only mean that she is good and truly conflicted.
Related and of interest — News Journal video: http://www.delawareonline.com/videonetwork/2330895718001/Pastor-activist-respond-to-controversial-church-sign
This sign got national press & blog attention. It’s got to be having some sort of effect, whether it’s the one they were hoping for or not.
Please remember MARSHALL voted to define marriage as a union one man and one woman in 2009. I know it was 4 years ago, but I do NOT have in my YES column. Also in that same vote Cloutier was a NO so maybe she could be a YES. Also again in that same vote BHL never voted. I can say I am very nervous and I will not celebrate until the vote is announced.
http://www.legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis145.nsf/7712cf7cc0e9227a852568470077336f/7fa5170be4528b4c85257585006fa835?OpenDocument
Thanks for that link, CR. Pastor Betters is being deliberately dense… Oh, and he’s also lying. The idea that he just happened to put that sign up, on that day, to say Christ is greater than everything and that it had nothing to do with politics is laughable. Not to mention that, no matter how he tries to spin this, the sign didn’t say > everything – it said > =. Big difference. Gotta love the way he ignores the = sign. It’s like that wasn’t even on the sign.
Also love how he gets his victim on… and on… and on. All he wants is civility, people! Does he acknowledge the incivility of his sign? Nope. His sign was… wait for it… “taken out of context”.
Then he goes and blames social media for getting a hold of… what? A message he posted on a huge tacky Vegas Strip style sign outside his church? Love how he says, “And then social media got a hold of it – the vitriol started.” Hey Pastor, it wasn’t social media that started the vitriol. Just saying.
And he’s very sad that no matter what he did or said he was called names. He also says putting the sign up for that one day was a mistake, but people are still calling him out. Ya think? Maybe it had something to do with the being “gay is a menu option” Glasgow Church FB comment?
Here’s another thing… Betters is backpedaling – fast. Politicians worried about voting for gay marriage should take note. If voting for gay marriage was truly risky, the good pastor – in a self-described very conservative church – would have stood his ground. He’s not, which leads me to believe he’s concerned that his actions could lead to losing part of his “conservative” flock.
Jay is right. Marshall *did* vote yes on the anti-gay constitutional amendment in March 2009. Every other senator that is in DE Liberal’s chart on the “yes” side cast a “no” vote 4 years ago. All except Marshall. Are we really sure that Marshall is a yes?
when will fisting be taught in public schools?
when will fisting be taught in public schools?
Hopefully, right after the Common Core Curriculum adopts young earth creationism.
dem dementia-
when will fisting be taught in public schools?
Probably the day after [warning-link is totally NSFW] snowballing is added to the curriculum.
Have a great life obsessing on what others do in the privacy of their bedrooms.
dem dementia has been spammed for that question multiple times. Since he insists on it, I guess he’s trying to apply for a job. I’m certain the AGs office would be interested in who is volunteering to teach kids this.
Guys like dem dementia make conservatives look like a bunch of guys who can’t quite get the hang of masturbation.
in conservative land, there is only missionary through a hole in the sheet or 120 Days of Sodom.
@Ben: I chalk it up to latent homosexuality. Ever notice how the people who are really worked up about gay rights keep bringing up specific practices? They’re fascinated with it but afraid to anger the Invisible Man in the Sky by actually doing it.
Betters is covering his behind by saying it was just religious. You know there is no way he wants to risk his tax exempt status. He said the cross was more important than equality. There are two unChristian problems there. The cross was a piece of wood. Attaching any special power to it is idolatry. Since when is a piece of wood more important than Christ’s command to love your neighbor? Betters is a phony POS.
“Betters is covering his behind…”
See my previous comment.