I don't think he's being an idiot. I think he's being politically sneaky--again.
This issue is a career-killer for most politicians. If same-sex marriage passes, then the religious right will make sure the pol who headed the campaign will not be re-elected. If it doesn't pass, ditto for the liberal left.
Ralph, however, is retiring; his future does not depend on the voting public. By taking on the issue himself, he not only has a chance to settle it for at least a few years, he also gives his party plausible deniability if the matter blows up in his face.
The man is very astute when it comes to what he does. His 'Eastern creeps and bums' comment made him adored in the West and hated in the East. Many pundits (especially Eastern ones) thought he'd go down for it... except *Ralph never wanted a national political post*, so dissing the East was not only safe, but colored him Western in a down-home corner bar stool kind of way.
I can't help but wonder what he *really* wants out of this move, besides the two points above.
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branchandroot
Re: Ralph
Date: 2005-03-19 01:37 am (UTC)This issue is a career-killer for most politicians. If same-sex marriage passes, then the religious right will make sure the pol who headed the campaign will not be re-elected. If it doesn't pass, ditto for the liberal left.
Ralph, however, is retiring; his future does not depend on the voting public. By taking on the issue himself, he not only has a chance to settle it for at least a few years, he also gives his party plausible deniability if the matter blows up in his face.
The man is very astute when it comes to what he does. His 'Eastern creeps and bums' comment made him adored in the West and hated in the East. Many pundits (especially Eastern ones) thought he'd go down for it... except *Ralph never wanted a national political post*, so dissing the East was not only safe, but colored him Western in a down-home corner bar stool kind of way.
I can't help but wonder what he *really* wants out of this move, besides the two points above.