POLL: 1/3 Of Americans Deny Gays' Equal Relationship Rights

Interesting poll results from PPP for DailyKos.com on legal recognition of same-sex relationships:

Public Policy Polling for Daily Kos. 1/14-16. Registered voters. MoE 3.1% (No trend lines)

Which of the following best describes your opinion on gay marriage: gay couples should be allowed to legally marry, or gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry, or there should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship.

         Marry  Civil unions  Neither
All         34       31         33

Dem         53       24         20
Rep         11       35         52
Ind         37       34         27

Lib         78       10         12
Mod         40       38         20
Con          8       32         57

Tea Party   17       30         52
Non-TP      42       30         27

White       33       30         35
Black       32       30         30
Latino      47       32         22

18-29       52       13         33
30-45       37       31         29
46-65       31       36         31
65+         23       34         42

Notice that nearly two-thirds of respondents either support full marriage equality or civil unions for same-sex couples. A majority of Democrats support marriage equality while a functionally equal majority of Republicans support no legal recognition for a gay couple's relationship. This is limited government?

Markos says that PPP will be polling on marriage equality every four weeks in 2011, which should provide some interesting longitudinal data on attitudes of Americans on the question of how same-sex couples should be recognized under the law.

AD-45: Assembly District CDP Elections Sun 1/9 10am-12pm

Last year, I was elected a California Democratic Party delegate for the 45th Assembly District. I have decided not to run for election this year, but I endorse the people on this list.

WHAT: 45th Assembly District elections for CDP delegates (only registered Democrats can vote)
WHERE: El Arco Iris restaurant (5684 York Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90042)
WHEN: 10am-12pm, Sunday January 9, 2011
WHY: To select representatives to the California Democratic Party state convention

Please vote!

Pew Survey Of Religious Composition of 112th Congress

Well, this is disappointing. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life conducted a religious survey of the incoming members of the 112th Congress and the results are displayed above. Note the almost complete lack of anyone who publicly espouses an atheist or agnostic view.

They also compared the difference between the 111th and 112th Congresses.

Kamala Harris Inaugurated As California Attorney General

California Attorney General Kamala Harris (left) with U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein

Kamala Devi Harris was sworn in as the first female, first African-American and first Asian-American state attorney general today.

Harris, 46, was San Francisco's District Attorney from 2004-2011, and is the daughter of a Jamaican father and a Tamil Indian mother. She is unmarried.

SD-28: Special Election Set For Feb 15, 2011

California State Senate District #28

The Governor has set a special election date of February 15, 2011 to fill the 28th District State Senate seat occupied by the late Jenny Oropeza who was posthumously re-elected in November.

Former Assemblyman Ted Lieu (AD-53) is the frontrunner for the seat, having announced more than a month ago. Lieu was termed out of his Assembly seat and ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General. The special election is somewhat controversial, because it will be the first election to be  held using Proposition 14's "Top 2" open primary structure. Every voter in a primary will get the same ballot, and the top 2 votegetters will go to the general election. In the February 15th election if no candidate gets a majority then the Top 2 will run-off on April 19th.

U.S. House To Vote on DADT Repeal Bill Wed 12/15

Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted today that the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a stand-alone House bill (identical to the Senate bill S. 4023 introduced on Friday which now has 40 co-sponsors) as a "privileged bill" to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on Wednesday December 15th.

Polls Show Wide Support For Obama-Republican Tax Plan

Huffington Post is reporting on two new polls which show that President Obama's new tax cut deal with Congressional Republicans is widely popular with Americans.

The Pew poll has support at 60-22 and the ABC/Washington Post poll has support at 69-17, with various levels of support for the various policy items which make up the deal.

Today cloture was reached in the Senate on the tax cut measure, so it is very likely that the deal will be enacted by Congress before the end of the year (possibly the week).

BREAKING: Senate Falls 3 Votes Short of DADT Repeal

The Senate has failed to invoke cloture on the NDAA including DADT repeal by a vote of 57-40.

Here is the president's statement:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2010

Statement by the President on the Senate Vote on the National Defense Authorization Act

I am extremely disappointed that yet another filibuster has prevented the Senate from moving forward with the National Defense Authorization Act.  Despite having the bipartisan support of a clear majority of Senators, a minority of Senators are standing in the way of the funding upon which our troops, veterans and military families depend. This annual bill has been enacted each of the past 48 years, and our armed forces deserve nothing less this year. 

A minority of Senators were willing to block this important legislation largely because they oppose the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’  As Commander in Chief, I have pledged to repeal this discriminatory law, a step supported by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and informed by a comprehensive study that shows overwhelming majorities of our armed forces are prepared to serve with Americans who are openly gay or lesbian.  A great majority of the American people agree.  This law weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity and equality.

I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Armed Services Committee Chairman Levin, and Senators Lieberman and Collins for all the work they have done on this bill.  While today’s vote was disappointing, it must not be the end of our efforts.  I urge the Senate to revisit these important issues during the lame duck session.

###

DREAM Act Passes House 216-198! Task Force Applauds

The DREAM Act has passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 216-198!

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is pleased at the result, via press release:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a longtime advocate for fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform, commends the U.S. House's passage tonight of the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), which offers undocumented young people "conditional permanent residency" if they arrived in this country before they were 16 and attend college or serve in the military. Upon graduation or completion of their enlistment, they would receive permanent legal residency with an opportunity to apply for U.S. citizenship. In addition to the DREAM Act, the Task Force is working in coalition with immigrant rights groups toward passage of comprehensive immigration reform and the Uniting American Families Act.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"Many people like to say that youth are our future. We are now a step closer to ensuring brighter and more secure futures for our young people, including countless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, by providing them a path to citizenship. The United States is built on the belief that everyone get a fair shake to fully participate in civic life, and to be able to build a future in the country they love and call home. Passage of the DREAM Act does justice to this fundamental and humane principle. Tonight's House passage is an important first step toward fixing this nation's broken immigration system, but much remains to be done. We urge the Senate to pass the DREAM Act, and continue to call on federal lawmakers and the Obama administration to work toward fair and comprehensive immigration reform."

Here, here!

2012 Senate Outlook Grim For Democrats

If you thought the political landscape in 2010 was bad for Democrats, wait till you see the terrain on which the 2012 Senate elections will be fought:

According to the Cook Political Report, there are currently 23 Democrats up for re-election compared to 10 Republicans.

Solid: These races are not considered competitive and are not likely to become closely contested.
Likely: These seats are not considered competitive at this point but have the potential to become engaged.
Lean: These are considered competitive races but one party has an advantage.
Toss Up: These are the most competitive races; either party has a good chance of winning.

DEMOCRATS | 23 HELD SEATS
SOLID D (9) Feinstein* (CA) Carper* (DE) Akaka* (HI) Cardin (MD) Klobuchar (MN) Menendez (NJ) Bingaman* (NM) Whitehouse (RI) Sanders (VT) Kohl* (WI)	LIKELY D (5) Stabenow (MI) Tester (MT) Conrad* (ND) Casey (PA) Cantwell (WA)	LEAN D (3) Lieberman* (CT) Nelson* (FL) McCaskill (MO) Brown (OH)	TOSS UP (3) Nelson* (NE) Webb* (VA) Manchin (WV)	LEAN R (0)	LIKELY R (0)	SOLID R (0)

REPUBLICANS | 10 HELD SEATS
SOLID D (0)	LIKELY D (0)	LEAN D (0)	TOSS UP (2) Brown (MA) Ensign* (NV)	LEAN R (0)	LIKELY R (1) Snowe* (ME)	SOLID R (7) Kyl* (AZ) Lugar (IN) Wicker (MS) Corker (TN) Hutchison* (TX) Hatch* (UT) Barrasso (WY)

* = potential retirement

Interestingly, the 2012 outlook in the U.S. House of Representatives is better, where of the Top 100 most competitive seats 43 favor Democrats and 57 favor Republicans. This analysis is still preliminary because all House seats will be redrawn in the 2011 redistricting.

hat/tip to Political Wire

TV Shows Liked By Democrats and Republicans Differ Greatly

According to Experian Simmons, a media research firm, there is no overlap between the most watched shows by Democrats and Republicans.

One of my students in my #CSP19: LGBT Rights in the Era of Obama and Google class pointed out  the list to me, and commented on the cognitive dissonance of the members of the anti-gay political party enjoying watching a show (Modern Family) which prominently features a gay white male couple raising a Vietnamese baby girl.

That's an interesting observation. What I notice from the list is that the shows which are in my DVR are Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, Survivor, and 30 Rock. We just stopped watching Desperate Housewives, V and Damages this year. I have tuned into Countdown with Keith Olberman but prefer The Rachel Maddow Show.

Surprisingly, the shows that I prefer to watch live (or within 7 days of taping) are Modern Family and Survivor, which are on the Republican list. You can count me in the significant fraction (20%) of Californians who would "almost never consider" voting for a Republican candidate for any office.

So, clearly I exhibit some kind of partisan hybridity in television selection!

Obama Answers DADT Question At Post-Election Press Conference

CA and MD Openly LGBT Caucuses Reach Seven Each

Congressman-elect David Cicilline (RI-01)

Last night was a big night for openly LGBT candidates, with the most ever being elected nationwide, including a fourth openly gay member of Congress in David Cicilline, the openly gay mayor of Providence, Rhode Island who was elected to represent the 1st Congressional District.

There are now five African Amererican LGBT state representatives around the country: Simone Bell (GA), Mary Washington (MD), Marcus Brandon (NC), Jason Bartlett (CT) and Gordon Fox (RI). Two states have the largest LGBT legislative contingents ever: seven in both Maryland and California.

Maryland: Senator Rich Madaleno (D-18) and Delegates Maggie McIntosh (D-43), Heather Mizeur (D-20), and Anne Kaiser (D-14), Bonnie Cullison (D-19), Mary Washington (D-43), and Luke Clippinger (D-46)

California: Senators Mark Leno (SD-3) and Christine Kehoe (SD-39), Assemblymembers John Perez (AD-46), Ricardo Lara (AD-50), Tom Ammiano (AD-13), Toni Atkins (AD-76) and Rich Gordon (AD-21)

So, it's not all bad news out there.

Hat/tip to Denis Dison of the Victory Fund.

Nate Silver's Final 2010 Election Predictions

Above are the final predictions made by Nate Silver of Five Thirty Eight about the 2010 id-Term elections for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and Governors races.

4 Questions To Ask Before You Vote

From Dailykos.com here are 4 questions everyone should ask themselves before they vote in the 2010 elections:

Questions:

1. What was the average monthly private sector job growth in 2008, the final year of the Bush presidency, and what has it been so far in 2010?

2. What was the Federal deficit for the last fiscal year of the Bush presidency, and what was it for the first full fiscal year of the Obama presidency?

3. What was the stock market at on the last day of the Bush presidency? What is it at today?

4. Which party's candidate for speaker will campaign this weekend with a Nazi reenactor who dressed up in a SS uniform?

Answers:

1. In 2008, we lost an average of 317,250 private sector jobs per month. In 2010, we have gained an average of 95,888 private sector jobs per month. (Source) That's a difference of nearly five million jobs between Bush's last year in office and President Obama's second year.

2. In FY2009, which began on September 1, 2008 and represents the Bush Administration's final budget, the budget deficit was $1.416 trillion. In FY2010, the first budget of the Obama Administration, the budget deficit was $1.291 trillion, a decline of $125 billion. (Source) Yes, that means President Obama has cut the deficit -- there's a long way to go, but we're in better shape now than we were under Bush and the GOP.

3. On Bush's final day in office, the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 closed at7,949, 1,440, and 805, respectively. Today, as of 10:15AM Pacific, they are at 11,108, 2,512, and 1,183. That means since President Obama took office, the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 have increased 40%, 74%, and 47%, respectively.

4. The Republican Party, whose candidate for speaker, John Boehner, will campaign with Nazi re-enactor Rich Iott this weekend. If you need an explanation why this is offensive, you are a lost cause.

WATCH: Reid Calls Angle "Pathological Liar" In Latest Ad

2010 Elections: One Week Away

DNC Ad Featuring Obama To Boost Democratic Turnout

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill With LGBT Provisions Introduced

For Immediate  Release                                                                                  Contact:  Steve Ralls
September 30, 2010                                                (202) 347-7007 / sralls@immigrationequality.org

Immigration Equality Action Fund Hails Introduction of LGBT-Inclusive Comprehensive Immigration Reform BillLegislation from Senator Robert Menendez Includes Uniting American Families Act

Washington, DC – The Immigration Equality Action Fund today hailed the introduction of a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate, by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), which includes the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a measure to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender immigrant families. 

“The Immigration Equality Action Fund welcomes Senator Menendez’s inclusive legislation, and calls on Congress to pass comprehensive reform, and fix our broken immigration system, immediately,” said Rachel B. Tiven, the group’s executive director.  “This new bill includes numerous, positive developments for LGBT immigrants, including UAFA, the DREAM Act and a pathway to citizenship.  All three components are important to ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender immigrants are able to contribute fully to our country while keeping their families together. The LGBT community must press for the passage of Senator Menendez’s bill, and call on our allies in Congress to support the legislation.  This legislation will finally end the obstacles so many families – both gay and straight – struggle with every day.”

Under current immigration law, lesbian and gay Americans are unable to sponsor their foreign-born partners for residency in the United States.  As a result, LGBT binational couples are forced apart, or into exile, by discriminatory immigration laws.  UAFA – sponsored in the Senate by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and in the House by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) – would eliminate that double standard, and apply immigration laws equally to LGBT Americans, and their partners. UAFA is currently co-sponsored by 161 lawmakers in both chambers of Congress.

“It is simply unconscionable that our immigration laws tear families apart,” Tiven concluded.  “Senator Menendez’s legislation, which is a truly comprehensive bill, would provide LGBT families with important opportunities to keep their families together.  The bill’s introduction is welcome news not just for lesbian and gay Americans, but also their extended families, their communities and our country.  The Immigration Equality Action Fund is committed to working for its passage.”

# # #

Immigration Equality Action Fund advocates on Capitol Hill for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive immigrants and their families. To end discrimination in U.S. immigration law, Immigration Equality Action Fund works to pass the Uniting American Families Act and LGBT-inclusive Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The Action Fund lobbies legislators and other policy makers, builds coalitions, and empowers LGBT immigrant families around the country to fight for change.

DADT Fails First Cloture Vote Test 56-43

Courtesy of Trevor Thomas, Communications Director of SLDN, here is the 56-43 roll-call vote on the motion to end debate on S. 3454, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2011.

It shuodl be noted that Majority Leader Harry Reid voted no as  aprocedural motion so he would be in the minority to bring up the measure again in the future. 

The same can not be said of the two Senators from Arkansas both "Democrats in name Only" who both voted against moving forward with debating the NDAA with the DADT repeal measure intact. David Pryor and Blanche Lincoln both voted no, even though nearly 80 percent of Americans in recent polls support DADT repeal (I wonder if there any recent Arkansas polls on this issue?)

It is very likely the bill will come up again AFTER the mid-term elections but before the end of the year. 

Grouped By Vote Position

YEAs ---56
Akaka (D-HI) Baucus (D-MT) Bayh (D-IN) Begich (D-AK) Bennet (D-CO) Bingaman (D-NM) Boxer (D-CA) Brown (D-OH) Burris (D-IL) Cantwell (D-WA) Cardin (D-MD) Carper (D-DE) Casey (D-PA) Conrad (D-ND) Dodd (D-CT) Dorgan (D-ND) Durbin (D-IL) Feingold (D-WI) Feinstein (D-CA)	Franken (D-MN) Gillibrand (D-NY) Goodwin (D-WV) Hagan (D-NC) Harkin (D-IA) Inouye (D-HI) Johnson (D-SD) Kaufman (D-DE) Kerry (D-MA) Klobuchar (D-MN) Kohl (D-WI) Landrieu (D-LA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) Lieberman (ID-CT) McCaskill (D-MO) Menendez (D-NJ) Merkley (D-OR)	Mikulski (D-MD) Murray (D-WA) Nelson (D-FL) Nelson (D-NE) Reed (D-RI) Rockefeller (D-WV) Sanders (I-VT) Schumer (D-NY) Shaheen (D-NH) Specter (D-PA) Stabenow (D-MI) Tester (D-MT) Udall (D-CO) Udall (D-NM) Warner (D-VA) Webb (D-VA) Whitehouse (D-RI) Wyden (D-OR)

NAYs ---43
Alexander (R-TN) Barrasso (R-WY) Bennett (R-UT) Bond (R-MO) Brown (R-MA) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Collins (R-ME) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID)	DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Gregg (R-NH) Hatch (R-UT) Hutchison (R-TX) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) Kyl (R-AZ) LeMieux (R-FL) Lincoln (D-AR) Lugar (R-IN)	McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Pryor (D-AR) Reid (D-NV) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Snowe (R-ME) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Voinovich (R-OH) Wicker (R-MS)

Not Voting - 1

Murkowski (R-AK)