The Gay Empire State

[Lunar]

This is the best NYT story I've read all year, lots of sources basically directly connected to Cuomo, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/nyregion/the-road-to-gay-marriage-in-new-york.html

[Marokai Backbeat]

This is the best NYT story I've read all year, lots of sources basically directly connected to Cuomo, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/nyregion/the-road-to-gay-marriage-in-new-york.html

Was just reading that a few minutes ago. Fascinating story behind it all and Cuomo gets mad props for being so determined to get this done.

[Smash255]

This is the best NYT story I've read all year, lots of sources basically directly connected to Cuomo, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/nyregion/the-road-to-gay-marriage-in-new-york.html

Was just reading that a few minutes ago. Fascinating story behind it all and Cuomo gets mad props for being so determined to get this done.

Cuomo took the ball and ran with this one, he deserves enormous amount of credit in getting this done.  His reception at the Parade tomorrow is going to be nuts.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Hmmmm, too bad Cuomo's not in the Senate, he'd be a better leader than Harry Reid.

Gay marriage benefits the economy so it's logical for Wall Street types to back it. New York will get an economic boon as a result.

[Lunar]

This is the best NYT story I've read all year, lots of sources basically directly connected to Cuomo, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/nyregion/the-road-to-gay-marriage-in-new-york.html

Was just reading that a few minutes ago. Fascinating story behind it all and Cuomo gets mad props for being so determined to get this done.

Cuomo obviously leaked the story, fwiw.

[The Mikado]

I have to say, it's nice to have an issue where I have complete moral clarity in my stance.  Most political issues, I end up playing the "on the one hand, on the other hand, on the other other hand" so much that when I have a position, I immediately end up arguing with myself. 

For example, I really do get what the Ryan Plan is trying to do (although it would be more intellectually honest if it paired its Draconian spending cuts with ending the Bush tax cuts...raising revenue and decreasing spending).  I think the Ryan Plan is definitely too harsh and is not something I'd get behind, but I understand it.  I cannot mentally figure out a way to justify forbidding gay marriage besides "it's always been this way" (response: "so?") and "Because God" which doesn't work for me because I don't buy into that premise.

[Mopsus]

I have to say, it's nice to have an issue where I have complete moral clarity in my stance.  Most political issues, I end up playing the "on the one hand, on the other hand, on the other other hand" so much that when I have a position, I immediately end up arguing with myself. 

For example, I really do get what the Ryan Plan is trying to do (although it would be more intellectually honest if it paired its Draconian spending cuts with ending the Bush tax cuts...raising revenue and decreasing spending).  I think the Ryan Plan is definitely too harsh and is not something I'd get behind, but I understand it.  I cannot mentally figure out a way to justify forbidding gay marriage besides "it's always been this way" (response: "so?") and "Because God" which doesn't work for me because I don't buy into that premise.

Wow, that sounds almost exactly like what I do on most issues. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who does that.

[King]

This is a great day for New York, and a sad day for JCL is THEREFORE, a great day for humanity.

If you are all so glad for gays being allowed marriage
Then loosen the draconian gun laws.

Hate to go back to such an old post, but I saw it in BRTD's sig...

What laws against guns did they have in 7th century BC Athens?

[Free Palestine]

This is a great day for New York, and a sad day for JCL is THEREFORE, a great day for humanity.

If you are all so glad for gays being allowed marriage
Then loosen the draconian gun laws.

Hate to go back to such an old post, but I saw it in BRTD's sig...

What laws against guns did they have in 7th century BC Athens?

None, like what we should have. 

[Badger]

What would you consider a fundie denomination. Name them. I'll give you the LDS because of certain things they deny about Jesus.

Any denomination that has as a member a nut job like you.

Do
You want to throw Elvis Presley, Gov. Sarah Palin, the Jonas Brothers, Kris Allen, AttGen John Aschroft under the bus too? Because if you you throw me you
would throw them under it too.

Yes.

Hell yes!

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

I raise a glass to you, Governor Cuomo, for being one of the rare politicians to show true leadership on a politically dangerous topic.

[Lunar]

I have to say, it's nice to have an issue where I have complete moral clarity in my stance.  Most political issues, I end up playing the "on the one hand, on the other hand, on the other other hand" so much that when I have a position, I immediately end up arguing with myself. 

I have the EXACT same position and need to explain it to friends who wonder why I'm so passionate about certain issues like gay marriage. Most issues I admit I could be wrong on, but not this.

[nclib]

Good for New York. It appears this won't have to be decided by the voters (though a ban referendum would likely fail in NY).

Does anyone have a map of the vote (or breakdown by Obama performance)?

[Linus Van Pelt]

Good for New York. It appears this won't have to be decided by the voters (though a ban referendum would likely fail in NY).

Does anyone have a map of the vote (or breakdown by Obama performance)?

I don't have either of these exactly, but:

All of Long Island (non-NYC) is GOP/No.

NYC is all Dem except two GOP districts, one in south Brooklyn and the other on Staten Island. All voted on party lines except Rubén Diaz who is the only Dem No and represents an obviously extremely Obama district in the South Bronx.

The three innermost north suburban districts are Dem, one in Rockland and two in Westchester, all Yes.

Upstate there are just three Dems, one in each of Albany, Syracuse & Buffalo, all Yes. Of the remaining Republicans, the four Yes votes are: a Hudson Valley district; a district east of Albany (sort of the old Gillibrand territory); a suburban Rochester district; and a district in Buffalo that only went GOP due to the incumbent's major corruption problems.

[Boris]

I have to say, it's nice to have an issue where I have complete moral clarity in my stance.  Most political issues, I end up playing the "on the one hand, on the other hand, on the other other hand" so much that when I have a position, I immediately end up arguing with myself. 

I have the EXACT same position and need to explain it to friends who wonder why I'm so passionate about certain issues like gay marriage. Most issues I admit I could be wrong on, but not this.

I dunno guys, it seems like we're basically hedging our bets based upon our empirical experiences. I mean, what if the Bible or the Koran are literally true?

[Verily]

Good for New York. It appears this won't have to be decided by the voters (though a ban referendum would likely fail in NY).

Does anyone have a map of the vote (or breakdown by Obama performance)?

I don't have either of these exactly, but:

All of Long Island (non-NYC) is GOP/No.

NYC is all Dem except two GOP districts, one in south Brooklyn and the other on Staten Island. All voted on party lines except Rubén Diaz who is the only Dem No and represents an obviously extremely Obama district in the South Bronx.

The three innermost north suburban districts are Dem, one in Rockland and two in Westchester, all Yes.

Upstate there are just three Dems, one in each of Albany, Syracuse & Buffalo, all Yes. Of the remaining Republicans, the four Yes votes are: a Hudson Valley district; a district east of Albany (sort of the old Gillibrand territory); a suburban Rochester district; and a district in Buffalo that only went GOP due to the incumbent's major corruption problems.

Pretty sure Alesi represents a big chunk of Rochester proper as well. Not as much as Robach does, though (not sure how Robach wins reelection; his seat has to be >60% Obama).

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

So is Robach f**ked now?

[Linus Van Pelt]

Pretty sure Alesi represents a big chunk of Rochester proper as well. Not as much as Robach does, though (not sure how Robach wins reelection; his seat has to be >60% Obama).

http://www.nysenate.gov/district/55

There are a few neighborhoods on the edges of the city, but it's mostly a suburban district.

Robach, on the other hand...

http://www.nysenate.gov/district/56

So is Robach f**ked now?

The thing is, he should have been f**cked already, but it's not really the sort of district where voting against gay marriage will make the situation all that much worse.

Part of the issue is, I think, the demographics of the D primary aren't great for winning in the general. In 2008 he narrowly beat a very liberal black challenger, presumably through really running up the numbers in Greece.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Good for New York. It appears this won't have to be decided by the voters (though a ban referendum would likely fail in NY).

Does anyone have a map of the vote (or breakdown by Obama performance)?

I don't have either of these exactly, but:

All of Long Island (non-NYC) is GOP/No.

NYC is all Dem except two GOP districts, one in south Brooklyn and the other on Staten Island. All voted on party lines except Rubén Diaz who is the only Dem No and represents an obviously extremely Obama district in the South Bronx.

The three innermost north suburban districts are Dem, one in Rockland and two in Westchester, all Yes.

Upstate there are just three Dems, one in each of Albany, Syracuse & Buffalo, all Yes. Of the remaining Republicans, the four Yes votes are: a Hudson Valley district; a district east of Albany (sort of the old Gillibrand territory); a suburban Rochester district; and a district in Buffalo that only went GOP due to the incumbent's major corruption problems.

Pretty sure Alesi represents a big chunk of Rochester proper as well. Not as much as Robach does, though (not sure how Robach wins reelection; his seat has to be >60% Obama).

Robach's district is 66-33 Obama. He must have quite a bit of personal popularity in the district; he was a Democratic Assemblyman until he switched parties to run for the Senate in 2002; he won easily that year, and the only close race he's had since was in 2008.

[Badger]

I pray it fails.

Congratulations. Your 1000+ useless comment enters you into the select group of only about 3 other forumites I have on ignore. If you even occasionally made comments that were (intentionally) humorous or in some way insightful, I'd be happy to read 99 posts of drivel to find the rare gem of a 100th post that was lucid. However, sir, your posts are uniformly a waste of bandwidth.

Please go away and I hope to forgive whatever friend/associate/search engine that led you to be inflicted upon the Forum.

[© tweed]

For example, I really do get what the Ryan Plan is trying to do (although it would be more intellectually honest if it paired its Draconian spending cuts with ending the Bush tax cuts...raising revenue and decreasing spending).  I think the Ryan Plan is definitely too harsh and is not something I'd get behind, but I understand it. 

if you're expecting intellectual honesty from the Ryan budget you're not understanding it for what it is: class warfare.

[Bacon King]

Cuomo 2016

[© tweed]

Cuomo 2016

fwiw he has totally pissed off his progressive base in NY with his attacks on education spending and public unions.  he is more popular with Republicans than Democrats per one of the Quinnipiac polls.  I personally would beware of falling into the same cultural issue trap that all of those white working class voters supposedly did in 2004.

[patrick1]

Cuomo 2016

fwiw he has totally pissed off his progressive base in NY with his attacks on education spending and public unions.  he is more popular with Republicans than Democrats per one of the Quinnipiac polls.  I personally would beware of falling into the same cultural issue trap that all of those white working class voters supposedly did in 2004.

Yeah, I'm still registered a Republican and generally conservative on many/most issues.  To anecdotally support you, Ive been hugely surprised and happy at how Cuomo has governed.

[Lunar]

Cuomo 2016

fwiw he has totally pissed off his progressive base in NY with his attacks on education spending and public unions.  he is more popular with Republicans than Democrats per one of the Quinnipiac polls.  I personally would beware of falling into the same cultural issue trap that all of those white working class voters supposedly did in 2004.

In a crowded field, it doesn't necessarily hurt to have some distinguishing characteristics, as long as they make sense in terms of his overall brand.

In this hypothetical, he'd argue that budget realities and the desire to not raise taxes constrained his progressive goals, but that he's an economic pragmatist.  He's raise plenty of money as a result too, so he'd stay competitive.