Senator Chris Dodd: I now support marriage equality

[ccharles000]

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/11621/senator-chris-dodd-i-now-support-marriage-equality

I was just contacted by Adam Wells of Sen. Chris Dodd's (D-CT) office who wanted to let Blenders know that the Senator has changed his mind about marriage equality and sent on an op-ed written for the The Meriden Record-Journal explaining his evolution on the matter. It's odd, isn't it, that our President has moved in the opposite direction since his days running for the U.S. Senate. The constitutional law prof supported marriage equality then, but now "God is in the mix."
Sen. Dodd and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA, who voted for DOMA) have moved in the direction of equality. Why can't our "fierce advocate"?

Rights, Responsibilities and Love
June 21, 2009

Public officials aren't supposed to change their minds. But I firmly believe that it's important to keep learning. Last week, while I was in Connecticut meeting with members of the gay and lesbian community from across the state, I had the opportunity to tell them what I've learned about marriage, and about equality.

While I've long been for extending every benefit of marriage to same-sex couples, I have in the past drawn a distinction between a marriage-like status ("civil unions") and full marriage rights.

The reason was simple: I was raised to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. And as many other Americans have realized as they've struggled to reconcile the principle of fairness with the lessons they learned early in life, that's not an easy thing to overcome.

But the fact that I was raised a certain way just isn't a good enough reason to stand in the way of fairness anymore.

[DURHAM D]

1. Well good for Dodd.

I assume his poll numbers rang his bell but we'll take it.

[CTyankee]

4. Funny, I thought he was already on board with this.

I mean, good lord, CT has the most progressive gay marriage equality court decision in the country and our state lege has passed it into state law. Our repub governor signed it (never threatened a veto, she knows better). NOW he "comes out" for it! While I'm glad he did, I too assume that same bell you did. He certainly needs every vote he can get, and it ain't gonna ever be with our dwindling supply of RW repubs in the state...

[JerseygirlCT]

2. Good news. I'm glad to hear that. nt

[Uzybone]

3. good for Dodd, now sponsor some legislation

[WonderGrunion]

5. Dodd is still reeling from his CEO compensation blunder

This is pandering, but if it leads him to being a Democratic senator actually sponsoring bills for DADT and DOMA repeals in congress, then I'm for it.

[PresidentObama]

6. Of course it's pandering. Just as Obama's position on gay rights is pandering.

It's politics, sadly.

I think if the politicians were honest, a majority of them would support marriage equality.

[flpoljunkie]

7. Instead of leading, they pander to their constituents' worse instincts and prejudices.