Gov Blagojevich (D-IL) aims to please both sides of gay debate

[Ediacara]

Blagojevich aims to please both sides of gay debate

February 6, 2004

BY DAVE MCKINNEY Sun-Times Springfield Bureau

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois should keep a state law barring same-sex marriages but should prohibit landlords and employers from discriminating against homosexuals and extend insurance benefits to the partners of gay state workers, Gov. Blagojevich said Thursday.

The day after the Massachusetts Supreme Court legalized gay weddings in that state, Blagojevich searched for a middle ground that would not alienate conservative Democrats opposed to gay marriages or the active gay voting bloc that supported his run for governor.

"I believe in the institution of marriage," Blagojevich said when asked about the groundbreaking court decision. "I believe it's between a man and a woman. I believe it's sacred. I believe also this issue is covered by law in Illinois that's very clear in how marriage is defined."

More at the Chicago Sun-Times

[BayCityProgressive]

1. as a gay Democrat

I know what a controversial issue this is but...it definately does dampen your excitement for elections or your desire to help any of these people campaign.

[Chicago Democrat]

8. Yeah.

Kerry better watch out. I'm afraid Rove will ambush him on this.

[illini]

2. Think of how I fell I voted for the schmuck.

But he needs downstate to keep his job.

[mopinko]

3. blago is a hack

not a republican hack, but a good ole fashion chicago hack for sure.

[lovedems]

5. Yeah, I have been somewhat disappointed in him myself.

My husband USE to work for the Illinois State Board of Education and was laid off for budget reasons. My husband is fuming because he feels like Blagoavich under funded the agency and now is bitching because it isn't up to standard. My husband was responsible for the 800 servers the agency has. Did they get rid of the top heavy administration that doesn't do shit all day? No way, they laid off the union people who made a decent wage, not the contractual workers who are over paid or the administrators.

He wants to be on the national level. That is his first priority.

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. I totally agree.

Wrote in Vallas in 2002, much to the consternation of my local election judges. They tried to make me re-vote because my write-in ballot recorded an under-vote. I told them if I had to re-vote, I would not do the judges (had to get to the office!) which would have meant a worse under-vote. Finally they let the damned ballot go through. Jeez.

[David__77]

4. He could aim higher and still win.

I think he should say that same-sex marriage won't happen but we should follow the example of CA and NJ in allowing some domestic partnership rights and responsibilities to address the issue. Of course I support marriage equality, but we take what we can possibly get in any given state.

The non-discrimination law should be non-negotiable.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. I am so tired of the bullshit

How anyone can view this sort of repression as constitutional is beyond my comprehension. Laws which ban same-sex marriages rank right up there with anti-miscegenation laws.

[Chicago Democrat]

7. I think Blago is a weasal@!

What a two faced weasal Blago is. Rat faced weasal. Squeek Squeek

[Sapphocrat]

9. Message for Blagojevich

Don't injure that soft, squishy jelly in your spine by doing anybody any favors.

Or crease that bright yellow stripe down your back, either.

What a turd.