Gay marriage issue dooms (Pa.) Gov. Tom Corbett

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Gil Smart at Smart Remarks:

When I saw Judge John E. Jones III’s ruling yesterday (and read it; it’s amazingly eloquent), my first thought was: Heh.

Here’s a Republican judge appointed by George W. Bush whose nomination was supported by Rick freaking Santorum (that’s his full legal name, right? Rick Freaking Santorum?) writing that “We are a better people than what these [anti-gay marriage] laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history.”

Again: A Republican saying this.

Goodnight, my fundagelical friends. Please turn off the lights as the last one of you leaves the room.

My second thought was: Boy, Gov. Corbett’s screwed.

If Corbett appeals the ruling – he’s got 30 days to do so – it’ll be cheered by the GOP’s “Pennsyltucky” base. But the quiet exodus of more moderate, pro-business Republicans from his camp will intensify; and then, the general election between Corbett and Democrat Tom Wolf becomes about gay marriage.

Corbett may be many things but I don’t think he’s dumb about this.To continue to oppose this now puts him on the wrong side of history. He gets that; so if he does appeal, it’ll be for purely political reasons.

But if he doesn’t appeal then the Pennsyltucky base deserts him. Because if he’s not going to stand against this, what can they trust him to stand against?

[Freddie]

1. Don't think he will appeal the decision

All but the most fervent RWNJs know that, unlike abortion and guns, this is no longer a winning issue for the Repugs. I'm sure Corbett wishes his opposition to marriage equality on the record would go away.
What will totally doom him is his record of handling (or rather, postponing until after the 2010 election) the Jerry Sandusky investigation while he was AG.

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2. Corbett won't appeal

It's official: Corbett won't appeal

http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/victory-gov.-corbett-declines-to-appeal-pa-marriage-ruling-stands