David Plouffe: Democratic Platform Will Be Committed To 'Fairness,' No Comment On Marriage Equality

WASHINGTON -- David Plouffe, President Barack Obama's senior adviser, refused to weigh in on the debate over whether the Democratic Party should embrace marriage equality in its 2012 platform, saying on Sunday that the official drafting process needs to play out.

In the past month, almost half of all Democratic senators, several of Obama's national campaign co-chairs, the House Minority Leader and the chairman of the Democratic convention, among others, have said they support adding marriage equality to the platform. The push is being led by the group Freedom to Marry, which launched a Democrats: Say I Do" campaign on Feb. 13.

What makes this campaign slightly uncomfortable for some Democrats is that the president himself still has not publicly endorsed marriage equality.

On ABC "This Week" on Sunday, host George Stephanopoulos asked Plouffe whether Obama's personal position meant that he was "going to fight the inclusion of this plank in the Democratic platform."

"Well, as you said, the president has spoken to this issue," he said. "I certainly don't have anything to add to that today. We don't even have a platform committee yet, much less a platform, so that."

"Here's what I think is important," he added. "What is going to be in the Republican platform, if they're consistent with what their presidential candidates have said, is to re-institute "don't ask, don't tell," to defend aggressively the Defense of Marriage Act. On the other side, you have the president, who's had groundbreaking progress for gays and lesbians in this country."

As The Huffington Post has reported, this year's Democratic platform, according to sources familiar with early conversations, will likely emphasize the accomplishments made under the president on LGBT rights, such as a refusal to defend DOMA, the decision to grant same-sex couples visitation rights in hospitals, and the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

As for the specific issue of marriage equality, no formal meetings have taken place. Yet several variations of new language are already being envisioned, ranging from language that would underscore the need for inclusive employment, non-discrimination legislation and safer schools, to language that would emphasize the benefits of relationships regardless of sexuality, to a platform that championed marriage equality outside the religious realm.

“If the word marriage is used, then I'm all but certain that there will be something very explicitly saying civil marriage and that this has nothing to do with religious marriage,” said a source working with the Democratic National Committee, adding that the hoped-for additions may come at a future convention. “It is possible that there will be one more time without using the word."

The Democratic platform will be ratified at the party's national convention, which begins Sept. 3 in Charlotte, N.C.

Comments

[cilantro518]

10:04 PM on 03/27/2012

The problem with this article is the title (not HP worthy). It should've been "Obama Leaves Gays At The Alter".

[Mistinguette Grandison]

10:14 AM on 03/27/2012

I'm going to say it. A lot of you guys are acting like children. You are doing long term harm to yourselves by this behavior. The things done should be enough to rally the base, but why is this needed?

[RobertoM]

11:03 PM on 03/27/2012

Not sure what you're referring to here?

[Mistinguette Grandison]

09:59 AM on 03/28/2012

We had so much done in favor of LGBT rights and we are willing to let all of that be reversed because he doesn't say a couple of words. He could say "I support pandas driving cars", but it would be irrelevant if no laws were not trying to make it happen. The legislation matters more than what he says.

[cilantro518]

10:55 PM on 03/26/2012

Imagine a professional coach having to cut one of his most loyal players from the squad. You would think that some tears might be shed and the conversation would be a private one. It's really sad that the Marriage Equality Movement is being jettisoned from the Democratic platform because it's not important enough for the President to fight for. A person would think that either the President's coattails would help the movement or the Movement's coattails would help the President, or that the President and the Movement would help each other.

Where could you find any more true blue Democrats than you find in the Movement. Even so, the President appears to be saying "keep your mouth shut" till after the election, but don't forget to vote. Treating the faithful like a worn out shoe could really hurt the President in a place like California for example where people might "forget to vote".

[daltexdude]

08:23 PM on 03/26/2012

Will the LGBT community ever take a stand and stick with it? We are told to wait, that not voting for Obama will set us back 2,000 years. We are told that Obama, the master strategist and chess player, will immediately champion gay rights like we have never seen once he is re-elected. I wish it was the case, but I think that the LGBT community will be told be the Dems to wait and wait and wait (after all, mid-term elections are coming up in 2014, and you wouldn't want to jeopardize the Dem presidential candidate for 2016, would you?). I am tired of waiting. The Dems will continue to take us for granted if we don't demand more, and demand more NOW. We are our worst enemies. And for those of you who have touted Obama's record on LGBT, other than supporting DADT after foot-dragging and allowing hospital visitation and allowing some federal employees (very few -- most are not allowed) to have some rights. we are supposed to be grateful that he hasn't flogged us and spit on us and kicked us in the gut? I am done with the lesser of two evils trap that so many of us in the community have fallen for. I want a fierce advocate, not a calculating Chicago politician. No vote for Obama this go round....

[Amber Burza]

08:32 PM on 03/26/2012

We need a modern day Milk.

[OnLesAura]

09:32 PM on 03/26/2012

You make excellent points, daltexdude, and believe me, I'm as frustrated as you are with the delay and perpetual 'evolving' on the issue; personally, I think Obama in his heart is totally in favor of gay marriage, but isn't sure if the political benefits of having same-sex marriage as part of the 2012 Dem platform outweighs the potential costs in the electoral college, where major swing states Ohio, Michigan and Florida will be in play, and decisive in the outcome.

ALSO: if for NO other reason, consider that in 2012-2016, whoever is president will appoint at least two justices to the Supreme Court, where they may remain for life, should they choose, and be medically/mentally able. If a retiring moderate, or liberal - such as Ruth Gader Ginsburg, one of our strongest allies, who is nearing 80 and has already had major cardiac issues, is replaced by a Rep president with the likes of a Scalia, Rehnquist, or Clarence Thomas, the balance will shift in a direction that will put the country into retrograde for a couple of generations. Octogenarian Thomas is waiting for a Rep administration to retire.

We currently have the TEA Party wingnuts controlling so much of the legislative branch, because so many Dems decided to 'punish' Obama in 2010 for not immediately solving all their most pressing problems and issues, while he was addressing the rescue of the entire global financial system from utter collapse.

Gays voters 'punishing' Obama by staying home is insanity.

[mrld20]

01:45 PM on 03/26/2012

As a gay man I am so sick and tired of my fellow LGBT brothers and sisters who try to hijack the Democratic Party in a key election year...

The Democratic Party is not the "gay" party... No I refuse to see it that way as some do... It is a party of the people and the working man... Now who composes the people? The middle class, working class, the working poor, African Americans, latinos, native americans, and YES! Gays, lesbians, and transgender personnel make up the "people" but the Democratic Party has much more important work to do than gay rights....

The masses are losing their jobs by the thousands and we want to focus on social issues?! NO! That's is not the way... Obama is the most gay friendly president in history! Be happy with that... Wait until after the election for him to endorse marriage equality... Right now the most important things are the economy, jobs, and putting Americans back to work! Anything else is secondary... Including gay rights! Be patient! We must take one for the team! OR if you don't OBAMA WILL LOSE!!!

[Ed Baker]

11:59 AM on 03/27/2012

Obama may well lose anyway for being a coward. He's not getting a penny from me in this cycle.

[mrld20]

01:33 PM on 03/26/2012

I want marriage equality too... But it will have to wait until after the election for the sake of unity... The Democratic Party is not a gay party and it is most certainly does not belong to progressives...

[Ed Baker]

12:00 PM on 03/27/2012

I've waited 42 years. Sorry - no more money for the DNC until they get some results.

If Obama can't "evolve" he'll just have to win without my money and my vote.

Prop 8 made me realize.

[practiceempathy]

12:17 PM on 03/26/2012

To my fellow gays.

Don't push to get it on the platform. We all know many, many Democrats, liberals, and progressives would just love an excuse to villify us over this. Just lay off.

[Ioan Lightoller]

12:27 PM on 03/26/2012

Sadly we have to leave it alone. Don't like it but those who already have all of their rights don't really care about ours. Better to get Obama back into office because the alternatives simply are not acceptable for GLBT people. Then hope we can keep up our momentum.

[practiceempathy]

12:29 PM on 03/26/2012

Even after I kept my promise to vote Dem across the board in November 2012, many, many progressives condemned me for causing the Dems to fall as badly as they did. Unbelievable. We're even scapegoated by our alleged allies.

[wmad]

12:37 PM on 03/26/2012

Agreed.

[practiceempathy]

12:15 PM on 03/26/2012

"Here's what I think is important," he added. "What is going to be in the Republican platform, if they're consistent with what their presidential candidates have said, is to re-institute "don't ask, don't tell," to defend aggressively the Defense of Marriage Act. On the other side, you have the president, who's had groundbreaking progress for gays and lesbians in this country."

***********

What's pathetic is that steps towards basic decency and dignity for all Americans, not just for some, are called groundbreaking.

[nonChristian]

12:08 PM on 03/26/2012

Gay marriage can wait. What would you rather have?
A gay friendly president who has done a lot for gay community and a possibility of a marriage equality
OR
Santorum putting you in jail for Sodomy

[Didier]

12:36 PM on 03/26/2012

I agree with you!
The LGBT community has no other alternative than President Obama.

However, I disagree that "Gay marriage can wait". Tell that to the people that have to live with the effects of DOMA everyday!
I am willing to let it "run its course" but as far as I am concerned my American husband and myself (a Belgian) are tired of waiting until others are willing to let us enjoy the 1000+ rights that come along with marriage in the US!

[nonChristian]

01:19 PM on 03/26/2012

I agree with you but if we push for marriage equality now it may result in some people turning against Obama (Many dems are anti gay marriage) and resulting in one of these GOP clowns winning. In that event DOMA will never be repealed, in fact 10 new such laws will come up.
If GOP comes into power gay civil rights movement will be pushed 10yrs.

[consumesoup]

05:06 PM on 03/26/2012

I can relate to your feeling of tiredness as I am also half of a binational couple. Repealing DOMA is definitely an issue in our household but there is a limit as to what my partner will do and say as he is not an American...Yes, he believes DOMA is frustratingly unjust...and he helps in sharing our story and is willing to let DOMA "run its course" but he would NEVER advocate for something as divisive as Die DOMA DIE- Right NOW! ...it only adds flame to the fire. But I feel your frustration, I hope your partner is doing everything he can to support Obama 2012...he is the lesser evil.

[wmad]

12:40 PM on 03/26/2012

I agree completely. However, I would almost love to see Santorum try to make that law, and if he did, try to enforce it. If our government and police ever tried to enforce any such law, they would lose their right to govern, at least in my eyes, and things would get messy.

[practiceempathy]

12:55 PM on 03/26/2012

Yes, if they tried that, there WOULD be riots.

[bornokthefirsttime1]

11:26 AM on 03/26/2012

LOL. As election time approaches, cue the trolls to step up their efforts to splinter the Democrats by trying to alienate the LGBT vote from the president who has done more for gay rights than any other sitting president.

[practiceempathy]

12:18 PM on 03/26/2012

I need to make a point.

Just because Obama has done more for gay rights than any other sitting president, it doesn't mean Obama has not cavalierly disrespected gay Americans on several occasions.

Please consider that point.

[Ioan Lightoller]

12:30 PM on 03/26/2012

Well, you know. We're never supposed to be offended about anything the majority might to do let us know our "place". I will vote for Obama but I will not forget his slur in inviting Rick Warren to the Inaugural.

[bornokthefirsttime1]

12:36 PM on 03/26/2012

Politics is a dirty, ugly business. Particularly so in this hyper-toxic political and economic environment. Putting up unrealistic standards and expectations is a sure recipe for walking away empty-handed. How did it work out for all the liberals who sat out the midterm elections to teach O and the Dems a lesson, allowing republicans to pursue their anti-woman, anti-union, anti-gay agenda all across the nation? Pressuring O to do more is good, but pretending there's a viable alternative is lunatic masochism.

[Ed Baker]

12:04 PM on 03/27/2012

He did that himself by burning through tens of millions of our hard earned dollars fighting to keep DADT. Then after the Log Cabin Republicans had defeated him in court, he decided the DNC had better repeal it.

As long as Eric Holder is AG - there will be no money and no vote from me.

[bornokthefirsttime1]

12:23 PM on 03/27/2012

It's because of their superior political discipline that the right wing is able to wield much greater political power and influence than their numbers would warrant. They know how to hold their nose and vote in their own best overall interest even when they're dissatisfied. Liberals and progressives lack that ability, which is why our causes are underrepresented in our government. You're the perfect example of how liberals shoot themselves in the foot for the sake of their petty self-righteousness.

[rextrek]

10:55 AM on 03/26/2012

as a 51yr old gay man..........the realisim is......we live in a Hateful,Bigoted,Discriminatory country...heck - Most of it I would NEVER go too nor visit (EVER)..fine, those states don't like me or wanna treat me Equal...F Them...as far as Im concerned they dont exist....Im happy with the Dems not putting it on thier platform - and have Obama WIN another term......seriously - WHAT ARE OUR CHOICES??? Realistically you can jump up and down all you want.....There are NONE!!! If it means Keep the GOP scum out of the WH - then fine.

[Ioan Lightoller]

11:54 AM on 03/26/2012

The sad fact is that this country is WAY too homohating to put something like marriage equality on the actual platform. This is not an election we can afford to lose...because the alternative is literally too horrible to contemplate.

[practiceempathy]

12:22 PM on 03/26/2012

Our reality sucks. We shouldn't be in this position. No American should.

But yes, we only have one choice.

Still, I've registered as an Independent.

After November 2010, when progressives here at Huffington Post frequently lambasted gays for allegedly causing the GOP tsunami (despite my having kept my vow to vote Dem across the board), I lost faith in my fellow progressives.

They scapegoated us and they were just as nasty and disrespectful as some of those on the right who hate us.

As a matter of self-respect, I'm a member of NEITHER sorry party.

[OnLesAura]

11:25 PM on 03/26/2012

Can understand your feelings of frustration and ingratitude,practiceempathy.

But...you're letting the comments on the HuffPost,a major component of which is healthy,vigorous give-and-take commentary,so disturb you that you've consciously decided to NOT exercise your right to vote ??!

Excuse my candor,but that's just plain barking mad. I think it would be absurdly counter-productive, to make an understatement,to let some misdirected, inappropriate verbal abuse by fellow Democrats cause me or you or anyone to NOT participate in such a crucial electoral process,the outcome of which will determine the direction of gay rights for the next generation or two, given that the next prez will get to fill two pending retirement vacancies on the Supreme Court (liberal Ginsburg, ultra-conservative Clarence Thomas),which already tilts to the right as it is. We do NOT want to strengthen and extend the judicial legacy of Bush43.

Personally,I would have no self-respect if I didn't vote; the main conditions for the successful functioning of any democracy are (1) its citizenry be reasonably well informed,and (2) they participate by voting. A lack or imbalance of either enables horrible extremes and distortions.

So by all means, lose faith in the rude, snooty progressives who slandered you, totally uncalled for, and you most certainly deserve an apology...but please, DON'T lose faith in the ideals progressive candidates espouse and stand for, and what this (and the alternative) means for our country, if they are YOUR ideals as well.

Make your voice heard !

[ftworth texan]

12:01 AM on 03/26/2012

Obama does NOT have to support gays, specifically gay marriage. It will alienate SOME of his existing supporters. He knows it, just as Bill Clinton knew it too. [Clinton knew HealthCare was a bust too]

Dem presidents get the gay vote for free because you have NO OTHER OPTION. They know this and use you for it.

Obama just has to 'wink' at the gays and they give him their vote. You are a FREEBIE for him and he treats you that way.

Regardless of what you expect from him, he will keep messing up on promises. You should NOT be surprised now.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-broken/

The hysterical part is, you have to believe his broken promises AGAIN. Many of you will.

THAT'S FUNNY!

Question : Where are the Obama FAINTERS, they should be getting warmed up for the next election.

ROFL

[SomewhereInLeftField]

10:53 AM on 03/26/2012

I disagree with the notion that we are freebies for him, and that he treats us that way.

But let's assume, just for the sake of argument, that you are correct. Why might we be freebies for him? Could it perhaps be that all of the Republican presidential candidates favor a legal system that permits discrimination against the LGBT community. Could it be because some of them think that states should be able to criminalize consensual homosexual sexual contact?

I'll take Obama (ending DADT, not defending DOMA, extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, etc.) over the Republican candidates any day of the week.

Some progress on LGBT rights is preferable to no progress, and even no progress would be far more preferable than the total regression we'd see if a Republican gets elected in November.

[ftworth texan]

07:31 PM on 03/26/2012

I read for McCain, between 1/4 and a 1/3 of gays voted for him, sorry don't have source, wish I did. If you have anything that supports numbers, would appreciate it.

You are freebies for the left otherwise Obama would push for gay marriage at the fed level. He won't would cost him too much in his core supporters. Clinton knew the same and wouldn't touch it.

[OnLesAura]

12:27 AM on 03/27/2012

I disagree with the "freebie"classification too,SILF; in my head was already composing a response hitting exactly the points you enumerated-you express it perfectly.

As anyone with an iota of historical perspective realizes,civil rights gains are a long,grinding,uphill struggle,fighting an entrenched status quo passionately obsessed with halting all advances. It is a slow,incremental process,which absolutely needs and deserves our total and active support;at some point,as in the 1960s with race-based discrimination and legal inequality, the movement reaches a sort of critical mass/tipping point, where the majority comes to recognize and abhor the absurdity,tragedy and moral bankruptcy of the unequal status quo. We've reached that tipping point recently,and as one involved in gay rights since the 1970s,to me the rapid pace of progress has been breathtaking.

I think a major reason a lot of gays are so impatient and chafing is that, while not as true as in decades past, many of us tend to(still)be massively concentrated in totally open, high-visibility environments,with major gay participation/representation in state/local politics,culture,press,small business, education,etc,and fail to fully grasp the realities of living in the one of the 36(think it is) states where you maybe legally fired,not hired, refused a rental lease, denied adoption,even have your own biological children taken away, simply for being LGBT.

So for comfortable,complacent urban gays to sit out the election to 'punish' Obama for not being gay-friendly ENOUGH,considering the terrifying alternatives?? That's obscene,ridiculous,and utterly self-defeating.

Make our voices heard !

[lisaman]

10:58 AM on 03/26/2012

Because we all know that the republican promises of $2 a gallon gas is perfectly doable, right?

I do wonder though why you use the link for broken promises as opposed to all promises made, broken and kept. Looks a little different, doesn't it?

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/browse/

Only a novice to politics would ever expect a President to be able to fulfill every promise made. Especially after watching the obstructive nature of the republican party towards this President. I just hope that the next republican president faces exactly the same. I am tired of my party being the only ones who know the definition of the word, compromise.

[ftworth texan]

04:29 PM on 03/26/2012

You can dilute your failures by increasing the total number of promises. PLUS, all promises are NOT equal, you seem to think they are but you are on the losing end of the conversation.

It will look funny when Obama is asked about one of the Broken Promises and he responds with a promise that he did do. LOL, voters should see that. He has a problem, this will be fun to watch.

Blaming Bush will be great too. Hope he does LOTS of that. :-)

FYI : Bush isn't running.

[cilantro518]

09:53 PM on 03/25/2012

It's too little, too late for the Democrats to run from the gay marriage issue. The Attorney General has already unilaterally declared that DOMA is unconstitutional and the administration will not defend it against constitutional challenges. Instead of going ahead and letting the voters decide the issue where there is a bright-line distinction between the candidates, Democrats want to pretend that the issue is "an unnecessary distraction", because they've suddenly realized it's going to get them run out of office in November.

[Erik G Nyquist]

11:40 PM on 03/25/2012

Matters of civil liberty, of the equality of all people, and the human rights of everyone, do not get to go up to majority vote. They are fundamental principles, and some would have a mob-mentality majority vote purge the freedoms of all non-christian, non-white Americans.

It is people who think that legislating bigotry is fair; furthermore your confidence that most Americans support your brand of hatred and bigotry is as stupid as it is egotistical. You and your ilk represent the greatest threat to both Democracy and the good name of Christianity that the world has seen in generations.

[Ioan Lightoller]

11:58 AM on 03/26/2012

Fanned and faved. I am sick of bigots thinking that GLBT rights should be up for a vote. Absolutely SICK TO DEATH of it. What rights of theirs would the bigots want put up to a vote? This is not a matter for people to vote on.

Sadly these travesties WILL continue until the courts do something about it. So, a question comes up for the bigots: what happens when the referendums start voting in marriage equality (and sooner or later, they will)? Will you whine about "activist voters?"

[AdamWest1313]

12:08 PM on 03/26/2012

Voters are never supposed to vote on the rights of minorities in constitutional Republics (of which we are a part of one).

[Michaela19801]

09:28 PM on 03/25/2012

Nobody remembers what is in the platform.

What was in the 2008 platform ?

Putting this in the platform only gives the right something to rile up their base with. If you lose the election, DADT will be repealed and you can kiss any progress on marriage equality away for at least 30 years.

If the GOP wins, you're looking at a conservative court for at least another 20-30 years which means marriage equality is a topic hidden under a rock.

Stop cutting your nose to spite your face.

[cilantro518]

09:58 PM on 03/25/2012

Exactly, if you want to energize the base on the right, then tell them the truth. Democrats want same sex marriages and as long as Democrats hold the White House, laws which define marriage to be between one man and one woman will not be enforced.

[Michaela19801]

10:09 PM on 03/25/2012

Those laws are state laws at the moment. Marriage licenses are granted from the STATE not from the FEDS.

Same sex marriage will be passed at the Federal level at some point but only through the congress, the courts or a constitutional amendment. But not anytime soon in my opinion.

[Ioan Lightoller]

12:00 PM on 03/26/2012

How have gay people ever harmed you?
How would our right to marry affect your life?

The laws are enforced. YOU can marry in any of the fifty states.

[Contact1972]

09:27 PM on 03/25/2012

What a surprise-NOT.

More of the 'Wait, we'll get to you eventually. It may be JUSTTTTT before we leave office or maybe before if you behave but we WILL get to you. I mean you've lived as second class citizens for this long, what's a couple more years anyway?'

P.S. Send us money:-)

Ok now that I've ranted on the continued cowardice on this issue I guess the Dems are taking the safe route. This concerns me and here's why. 27% of the GLBT community voted for McCain in 2008(who knows why)and IMHO the number voting for Mittens will only be bigger if they perceive him to be more liberal than McCain but slightly more conservative than the President. Maybe that would change if the Dems came out for marriage equality? On the other hand, I could be very wrong.

[Michaela19801]

10:02 PM on 03/25/2012

You are completely wrong.

Show me the polls from the swing states on this issue.

That will tell you why this is not in the platform.

It won't get you to marriage equality any time soon. That will be done through Congress, (unlikely). The courts or a constitutional amendment which means a lot more states have to adopt it. If you lose and there is another con on the Court.. it's 20 years plus to wait.

It would go a long ways toward causing the loss of the election.

Lose the election (and the option to choose the next Supreme Court nominee) and you're looking at 20 years or more before this issues sees the light of day.

[cilantro518]

10:59 PM on 03/25/2012

Don't know what the polls are in swing states, but constitutional amendments are usually passed directly by the voters. Here are some of the swing states:

Colorado: constitutional amendment bans same sex marriages
Florida: constitutional amendment bans same sex marriages
Iowa: constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages struck down by Iowa Supreme Court
Nevada: constitutional amendment bans same sex marriages however civil unions are recognized.
New Hampshire: Approves same sex marriages
Ohio: constitutional amendment bans same sex marriages
Virginia: constitutional amendment bans same sex marriages
Indiana: : statute bans same sex marriages

[practiceempathy]

12:25 PM on 03/26/2012

If you're a gay activist, you know very well that the Democrats STOCK ANSWER to us is and always has been "Now's not a good time." Then they cash our checks.

[duckpuddle]

07:21 AM on 03/27/2012

We need to keep pushing for our rights. After all, our supporters are politician's then pro-gay.

Your emphasis on 'stock answer' highlights the political realities of governing. It's not the right time once it actually becomes the right time...rarely during campaign season. Three examples:

1) I'm no expert, but I believe that Johnson resisted the 1964 Civil Rights Act until it became obvious that is passage was the right thing to do.

2) DADT. It wasn't the right time for the repeal of DADT, until it was: During the lame duck session after mid-term elections when Democrats lost control of the house.

3) DOMA. It isn't the right time for this, unfortunately. Passage needs more co-sponsors. (Hint: everybody who is complaining here about Obama, lobby your elected officials to become co-sponsors.)

After watching the gay rights movement develop for 30 years, I think we are in the best position ever and that momentum continues to grow.

WE have to do the work. That means coming out to our neighbors, families, and friends, supporting politicians - like Barack Obama, who is pro-gay and has the potential to be more pro-gay, and pushing those politicians until they find the right time to get bills passed. We also need to use the courts to look hard at issues like DOMA, this can be a great tool to make it "the right time".

Maybe, I'm just an optimist, but that feels better than being jaded.