Ducking a Political Fight?
January 20, 2010 - by
Up in Washington, DC the Democrats on the City Council have put the Democrats in Congress on the hot seat by passing a law to make gay marriage legal in our nation’s Capital.
Now how on earth does that affect, say, Congressman Bob Etheridge who’s running for reelection here in North Carolina?
Because Congress either has to approve or disapprove the new law. Except, of course, this being Congress it’s not quite that simple. There’s a third choice: Congress can sit on its hands and do nothing in which case the law automatically takes effect after 30 days.
Which is exactly what the Democrats in Congress have in mind. Doing nothing. The question is: Will the Republican powers-that-be call for a vote?
Now you’d think since same sex marriage has lost in every single state where it’s been put to a vote – including Massachusetts – the Republicans would be chomping at the bit for a roll call. But there’s a new theory rolling around Republican circles in Washington that says dodging ‘social issues’ is why Republicans won the Governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey.
So Republican leaders at first blush appear no more anxious to hold a vote than, say, Nancy Pelosi.
It’s an odd set of circumstances: About the last thing David Price, Brad Miller, Bob Etheridge and Larry Kissell (the Democratic Congressmen running here in North Carolina) want is to take a stand on gay marriage at the start of the election – and they may not have to because the Republican leaders up in Washington may tell them, Look, you don’t want a vote? Fine. Neither do we. Let’s forget about the whole thing.
Ducking a Political Fight?
January 20, 2010/
Up in Washington, DC the Democrats on the City Council have put the Democrats in Congress on the hot seat by passing a law to make gay marriage legal in our nation’s Capital.
Now how on earth does that affect, say, Congressman Bob Etheridge who’s running for reelection here in North Carolina?
Because Congress either has to approve or disapprove the new law. Except, of course, this being Congress it’s not quite that simple. There’s a third choice: Congress can sit on its hands and do nothing in which case the law automatically takes effect after 30 days.
Which is exactly what the Democrats in Congress have in mind. Doing nothing. The question is: Will the Republican powers-that-be call for a vote?
Now you’d think since same sex marriage has lost in every single state where it’s been put to a vote – including Massachusetts – the Republicans would be chomping at the bit for a roll call. But there’s a new theory rolling around Republican circles in Washington that says dodging ‘social issues’ is why Republicans won the Governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey.
So Republican leaders at first blush appear no more anxious to hold a vote than, say, Nancy Pelosi.
It’s an odd set of circumstances: About the last thing David Price, Brad Miller, Bob Etheridge and Larry Kissell (the Democratic Congressmen running here in North Carolina) want is to take a stand on gay marriage at the start of the election – and they may not have to because the Republican leaders up in Washington may tell them, Look, you don’t want a vote? Fine. Neither do we. Let’s forget about the whole thing.