Gay weddings in S.F. an attempt to show that the Gov. is a Repuke???

[wndycty]

I was just thinking about something. Do you think that one of the motivations behind Gavin Newsom allowing the gay weddings in S.F. is to force Arnold Schwarzenegger's hand and force him to behave like a mean spirited Republican? Even though the voters of California supported him, they were voting for change not necessarily a conservative Republican. With the state being in play for 2004 could there be a strategy of forcing Schwarzenegger to deal with controversial issues so that the he can be defined as either a conservative Republican or a as a moderate. If Schwarzenegger takes a conservative line then Dems who voted for him would never ever consider Bush, if he is more moderate then the California GOP will be in disary. Your thoughts?

ON EDIT: MODS FEEL FREE TO MOVE THIS TO GD THAT IS WHERE I THOUGHT I POSTED IT...SORRY

[Tinoire]

1. Nope. An attempt to save his skin before a recall scandal erupts

according to some politically well-connected friends of mine in the SF GLBT community. Will ask for more insight tomorrow.

I have a problem with Newsom's timing which was why I asked but there were too many people around to dig...

[wndycty]

2. What I am saying is its a reverse wedge issue. . .

. . .the Repukes like wedge issues because they can define the Democrats as flaming liberals to middle America. Well that same strategy could backfire if Repukes are forced to deal with this same issues in liberal states.

[Tinoire]

9. I agree about the wedge issue which was the reason I seriously

questioned Newsom's timing. You must know I have always believed he is a Republican in disguise. Backed by Bechtel and some of the slimiest corporations in the area and totally a "compassionate" conservative.

I truly questioned why now. Why now did he go out of his way to "scare" middle America with the gay marriage issue at a time where it is such a contentious issue?

Always cynical (you know me lol).

[wndycty]

10. Do you see any negative for Schwarzenegger having to deal with this?

:kick:

[libview]

3. Kerry is against gay marrige also.

[wndycty]

4. Forget about Kerry for a moment. . .this is about California

Newsom is forcing Schwarzenegger's hand so that he will have to either behave like a conservative Republican or a moderate. Don't think about this on a national scale. . .only think about this as it relates to California. Schwarzenegger should be forced to deal with this controversial wedge issues so that California voters will make no mistake about where he is coming from.

[JI7]

5. california voters oppose same sex marriage

just a few years ago they voted for the anti same sex marriage proposition in large numbers. even though our governor davis, senators, even al gore, bill clinton opposed it, the people still voted for it.

[SadEagle]

6. My guess is that it is to shore up the left flank.

Newsom nearly got beaten by a Green. Doing the gay marriages thing makes leftists like me like him a lot more... But I suspect Tinoire is probably closer to knowing Newsom's real motifations, myself being a North-Easterner, anyway ;-)

[Monument]

7. I completely agree with you

to shore up the left flank is precisely why he decided to do it. It's a political stunt which will win him favor in SF. I think he probably believes in the cause.

He nearly was clobbered by the Green, and he needs to show the city that Dems are acting in their interests.

[wndycty]

8. Do you think that this is bad for Schwarzenegger at all. . .

. . .because it forces his hand and makes him take a position that will either piss off moderates/liberals or piss off conservatives?