Perhaps Jesse Ventura is more interested in a Senate run than in a presidential one. From KARE TV: Former Gov. Jesse Ventura said he “may” file the necessary papers to run for the U.S. Senate in the November election. If he doesn’t, his former campaign manager will. Both are hinting at a run against Republican incumbent Norm [...]

From the Libertarian Party of California: The Chair of the Libertarian Party of California said today’s California Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex marriage was the right one, but that it is only a small victory in the larger battle against government interference in marriage. Kevin Takenaga, chair of the Libertarian Party of California, issued the following statement: “People [...]

Accepting an award in New York, John Edwards cheerfully took questions about his endorsement of Barack Obama and choked up while speaking about his father.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LEGALIZED IN CALIFORNIA; OBAMA SCORES 10 MORE DELEGATES; MICHIGAN PRIMARY FILING CLOSES.

GAY MARRIAGE. In a 4-3 decision, the California Supreme Court overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Here is how the court explained their reasoning: "Furthermore, in contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual's sexual orientation -- like a person's race or gender -- does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights. We therefore conclude that in view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples. ... There can be no doubt that extending the designation of marriage to same-sex couples, rather than denying it to all couples, is the equal protection remedy that is most consistent with our state's general legislative policy and preference." Key proponents like San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) and San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera (D) -- who argued the case -- celebrated the ruling. Across the political aisle, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) immediately announced he would also honor the decision: "I will not support an amendment to the [state] constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling." The California Legislature had previously passed legislation approving same-sex marriage but Schwarzennegger had vetoed it. Bottom line: same-sex marriage is now legal in California. Ron's one-sentence editorial: Hooray for the California Supreme Court!

P2008 - DEMS. Just one day after John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama, six Edwards delegates followed suit and announced their support for Obama. On top of those six, Obama picked up four more superdelegates on Thursday: Congressmen Jim McDermott (D-WA), Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Howard Berman (D-CA) and Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen. The United Steelworkers Union -- which previously back Edwards -- also endorsed Obama on Thursday.

MICHIGAN: Major party primary filing closed this week in Michigan. US Senator Carl Levin (D) is safe against State Representative Jack Hoogendyk (R). Freshman Congressman Tim Walberg (R) will face a tough challenge from State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer (D) in CD-7. Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R) is a top Democratic target, and will face former State Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters (D) in November. The most interesting primary contest is in CD-13, where Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D) will face a tough battle against two well-known politicians. State Senator Martha Scott and former State Representative Mary Waters are the two challengers, and are likely running because they sense vulnerability due to the sex scandal involving her embattled son Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Waters also says she is running as a Barack Obama supporter who is upset with the incumbent for being so out of touch with the district's voters as to have endorsed Hillary Clinton.

Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 05.16.08