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Courage Campaign
Democratic activist and Founder of the Courage Campaign; California State Chair for Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign
PROFILE
Rick Jacobs
Guest
FROM Rick Jacobs
To the Point
The US Supreme Court and Same-Sex Marriage After this morning's hour and twenty minutes of legal arguments and judicial questioning, the US Supreme Court will probably take until June to rule on the issue of same-sex marriage . Gay marriage advocates have targeted California's Proposition 8, which banned such unions five years ago. The justices have a plateful of options to consider. Will they uphold Prop 8? Will they rule that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right? As public opinion has shifted, will a court majority leave the issue up to different voters in different states? We hear excerpts from both sides, learn what the justices wanted to know, get analysis and perhaps even a brave prediction or two.
Which Way, L.A.?
The US Supreme Court, Politics and Same Sex Marriage US Supreme Court watchers are playing a waiting game in regard to same-sex marriage. As the justices work out their differences behind closed doors, we’ll look at the options—and the potential consequences for the law and for politics. Polls show the trend in favor of same-sex marriage is growing fast. For the first time in US history, it was approved by voters in three of last month’s elections, rather than in legislative chambers. It’s now legal in nine states and the District of Columbia. Friday—and again today—it was expected the US Supreme Court would take up the matter. Both sides are waiting anxiously for action on Friday. That provides more time to consider the options, legal, political and moral.
To the Point
The US Supreme Court, Politics and Same Sex Marriage US Supreme Court watchers are playing a waiting game in regard to same-sex marriage. As the justices work out their differences behind closed doors, we’ll look at the options—and the potential consequences for the law and for politics. Polls show the trend in favor of same-sex marriage is growing fast. For the first time in US history, it was approved by voters in three of last month’s elections, rather than in legislative chambers. It’s now legal in nine states and the District of Columbia. Friday—and again today—it was expected the US Supreme Court would take up the matter. Both sides are waiting anxiously for action on Friday. That provides more time to consider the options, legal, political and moral.
Which Way, L.A.?
President Obama Comes Out in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage President Obama said today that he now favors allowing gay couples to marry. In an interview with ABC News' Good Morning America, he said that his position had evolved over time from his support for gay civil unions to this new support of full marriage rights. Obama is due in LA tomorrow for a fundraising dinner at the home of actor George Clooney. We hear more about the President's announcement from Carolyn Lochhead, Washington correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle , and Democratic activist Rick Jacobs, founder of the Courage Campaign .
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A Federal Court Rules that California’s Prop 8 is Unconstitutional First, Proposition 8 was passed by California voters in 2008 after the State Supreme Court had legalized same-sex marriage. That same court then upheld , Prop 8, which says that marriage can occur only between a man and a woman. Opponents then filed suit in federal court in San Francisco, claiming Prop 8 violates the federal constitution. Today Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the plaintiffs are right.
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State Supreme Court Upholds Prop 8 Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Last May, in a 4-to-3 ruling, the State Supreme said same-sex marriage was a constitutional right . In November, the voters amended the Constitution to ban it. In the meantime, 18,000 gay and lesbian couples had tied the knot. Today, the court upheld Proposition 8 by a vote of 6-to-1, and also held that last year’s marriages are still in effect.
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The Fast Track to Same-Sex Marriage Last week the Washington, DC City Council voted 12-to-1 to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The lone “no” vote came from a former civil rights leader who was called a “bigot” by a gay council colleague. A group of African-American ministers stormed the hallway outside, and police were called in to restore order. Same-Sex Marriage Legislation/Court Decisions: Vermont Legislature (TtP on) Massachusetts Supreme Court (TtP on) Connecticut Supreme Court Iowa Supreme Court Maine Legislature California Supreme Court Passage of California's Prop 8, court appeals to (Which Way, L.A.? on)
To the Point
The Fast Track to Same-Sex Marriage Civil unions for gays and lesbians were recognized less than 10 years ago. Now, same-sex marriage is on the agenda in many parts of the country. First it was state courts. More recently, state legislatures have decided that gay and lesbian couples have the right to same-sex marriage. Last week the Washington, DC City Council voted 12-to-1 to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. Why so fast? Are homosexual couples now seen as part of mainstream society, or are courts and legislatures recognizing their right to be different? Why do black leaders object so strongly when gays and lesbians use the language of civil rights? What strategies are being used to keep the momentum going? What are backers of traditional marriage doing to slow it down? Same-Sex Marriage Legislation/Court Decisions: Vermont Legislature (TtP on) Massachusetts Supreme Court (TtP on) Connecticut Supreme Court Iowa Supreme Court Maine Legislature California Supreme Court Passage of California's Prop 8, court appeals to (Which Way, L.A.? on)
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Top Democrats Use Campaign Funds for Staff Pay, Legal Fees Democrat Don Perata of Oakland is president pro tem of the State Senate. He’s also been under federal investigation for four years. FBI agents have raided his home. E-mails and other documents have been subpoenaed. The Sacramento Bee says Perata’s legal expenses have added up to almost two million dollars. Now, the paper reports that the state Democratic Party has helped him out with 450,000 dollars from political contributions. Some party members are saying that money was supposed to be spent on campaigns against Republicans.
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Will Blackwater come to California? Potrero is a mountain town forty-five miles east of San Diego . It’s near where Blackwater Worldwide wants to build a training camp with eleven firing ranges, a driving track and a helipad. Blackwater says it will go ahead, even after yesterday’s local election in which Portrero voters recalled five planning board members . The margin of dis-favor was between 63 and 70%.
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What Are Californians Thinking about Government? California voters are on a different page from their leaders, especially when it comes to political reform. According to the latest public-opinion poll by the Public Policy institute of California, Governor Schwarzenegger's doing all right and the legislature is somewhat improved, but the federal government is a disaster. How are the presidential candidates doing? Do voters like the idea of a February primary ? What about changing the current term limits law? There's good news and bad news for California's political leaders. We hear what Californians are thinking from Mark Baldassare, president of the Public Policy Institute of California, Republican political strategist Allan Hoffenblum and Democratic activist Rick Jacobs.
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California's Voice in the 2008 Presidential Campaigns? The Governor and the Legislature are likely to move California's presidential primary up to February 5 of next year. The idea is to force Republican and Democratic candidates to actually campaign here, rather than just raising money. Just talking about it brought Rudy Giuliani in for a four-day tour. John McCain and Barack Obama will be here next week. Still, there's debate about whether an extra election is really a good idea. Would it mean real clout for the biggest state in the Union? Would it really work? What does it have to do with term limits? We hear a journalist following the story and advocates on both sides.
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To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
To the Point
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?