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Originally Posted by garysher  Actually that's exactly what he is dear:
Marriage ruling boosts Newsom statewide
Cecilia M. Vega, S.F. Chronicle Staff Writer
Fresno, meet Gavin Newsom.
Emboldened by Thursday's historic California Supreme Court ruling overturning the state's ban on same-sex marriage, the San Francisco mayor said he might swing by for a visit someday soon.
"This is not just San Francisco," Newsom told reporters minutes after the court's verdict was announced. "It's Walnut Creek. It's Long Beach. It's the southern part of the state in San Diego. It's in Riverside. ... It's in Fresno that this is now appropriate and legal. I may go to Fresno to support their county clerk."
Newsom's 2004 decision to grant marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples triggered the drawn-out legal battle, but it was last week's ruling by a Republican-majority court that had the gubernatorial hopeful sounding like he was preparing for a statewide road trip - with Sacramento as the final destination.
The Democratic mayor has said he is considering launching a campaign to replace Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010, and the state's political circles were abuzz with speculation that the court's ruling will help Newsom in a statewide primary if he faces off against any of the other possible contenders, like Attorney General and former Gov. Jerry Brown or Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
"This is a very powerful win for California, the gay community and ultimately America," said Bob Mulholland, a campaign adviser for the California Democratic Party. "And Gavin played a big part."
Newsom had just started his first term when he sparked nationwide protest by ordering San Francisco to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. Over the course of a month, more than 4,000 same-sex pairs came to City Hall to get married before the court brought the ceremonies to a halt and declared the licenses invalid.
But his same-sex marriage move instantly catapulted him to citywide superstar status. His approval ratings have been consistently high ever since, and when he ran for a second term last year, no big-name politicians stepped up to challenge him.
"He is Gay Marriage Sam, so he has no choice but to try to make it as respectable and as apple pie as possible," Brown said.
Newsom also wasted no time gaining political ground. He had been scheduled to give a speech in Chicago Thursday, but when his aides learned the much-anticipated court ruling was coming, they canceled the appearance and immediately flew him back to San Francisco.
Within minutes of the decision, Newsom was giving interviews to the New York Times, the Associated Press and local media outlets. He phoned in to CNN within the hour and appeared on Anderson Cooper's prime-time CNN show before sundown.
Aides spoke privately about his legacy and made sure the images were carefully choreographed: The American and California flags were strategically placed behind the podium for a news conference during which Newsom, surrounded by hundreds of cheering gay and lesbian couples, delivered the perfect sound bite.
Newsom made it a point to stay on message and to deliver the same storyline he has been delivering for the last four years: The issue is not about politics but rather about the couples and their families. (yeah right......)
Staffers made sure he was visible where he needed to be - namely in the state and national media - and strategically invisible, too. It wasn't coincidence that Newsom was nowhere to be seen in the city's predominantly gay Castro neighborhood Thursday night, where the celebration turned into an impromptu street party.
"He is clearly riding this horse to the governorship," Brown told a local television station the day after the ruling was announced.
Both Republicans and Democrats agree that Newsom's victory Thursday could be short-lived if voters approve a measure to place a same-sex marriage ban in the state's Constitution this November. Marriage ruling boosts Newsom statewide | More power to him. If Arnold's turn should expire, who better than the man to replace him who is now San Francisco's mayor.
We had a temporary mayor in San Diego who is a lesbian herself. She would be the first on Newsom's wagon if he runs for governor. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 |