It’s probably best just to list the ways in which conservatives were routed on gay marriage yesterday.
Maine: Question 1, which legalizes gay marriage after a 2009 vote struck it down, has been approved by a 53-47 margin.
Maryland: Question 6, which legalizes gay marriage in the state, has been approved by a 52-48 margin.
Minnesota: Amendment 1, which would have defined “traditional marriage” in the state Constitution, has failed by a 49-51 margin.
Washington: Referendum 74, which legalizes gay marriage, is leading by a 52-48 margin, and is expected to pass.
Iowa: This is the victory few people were paying attention to. Republicans worked themselves raw to take the state Senate, targeting Democratic Senate Leader Mike Gronstal in his western Iowa district. Rick Santorum made nearly weekly trips to the state to stump for Republicans. The potential prize: A new vote on gay marriage, which conservatives figured they could win. But Democrats have held the state Senate. And Justice David Wiggins, one of those who affirmed gay marriage, was retained.
New York: And this is the surprise: Democrats will take the state Senate, edging past suburban Republicans who seemed to be locked in. The National Organization for Marriage had published a three-part plan for repealing gay marriage there, starting with wins this year. They didn’t get them.
I’m at a loss to think of any recent rout this decisive for any issue group.
New York:
