Senator Portman's "Brave" Baby Step

Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) today announced that he had reversed his long-held position of opposition to gay marriage.  Portman was an original sponsor of the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which makes gay marriage illegal.  (The Obama administration has not enforced the stupid law for a couple years, and next week the Supreme Court hears arguments that DOMA is unconstitutional.) 

Portman's change of heart was motivated by the revelation that one of his sons is gay.  The senator's new official position is still quite the half-assed cop-out -- he's opposed to a federal ban on gay marriage and thinks the question is best left to the states -- but for a GOP'er like him, thoroughly stewed in the conservative juices of Cincinnati, coming out against DOMA qualifies as "courageous".

It may be a small step, but at least it's one in the right direction.  So, attaboy Rob!  Good job.

Now, if Robbie would just reverse his positions on . . .

Gay adoption rights, abortion rights, gun control legislation, his support of the NRA, environmental protection, cap and trade, a carbon tax, investment in renewable energy, immigration policy, labor rights, minimum wage, women's rights, equal pay, additional tax revenue, the ridiculous Grover Norquist pledge, Obamacare, further health care reform, protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, public education, separation of church and state, banking and Wall Street reforms, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the confirmation of Rich Cordray as its chairman . . .

. . . well, then we'd really have ourselves something:  a more complete human being, a mensch, and a much better Senator!