"Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President. He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage."

On the issue of constitutional amendments, Senator Obama has been on record for some time: He opposes all divisive and discriminatory constitutional amendments, state or federal. That includes the proposed amendments in California and Florida."

In a strongly worded opinion, the California Supreme Court by a 4 to 3 vote overturned the ban on marriage equality today. In thirty days, same sex couples will be able to be legally married in the State of California. This makes California the second state after Massachusetts to legalize marriage for the LGBT community. There are reports of celebrations all over the state in support of the decision.

The Court said in its historic decision,

Finally, retaining the designation of marriage exclusively for opposite sex couples and providing only a separate and distinct designation for same-sex couples may well have the effect of perpetuating a more general premise — now emphatically rejected by this state — that gay individuals and same-sex couples are in some respects “second-class citizens” who may, under the law, be treated differently from, and less favorably than, heterosexual individuals or opposite-sex couples. Under these circumstances, we cannot find that retention of the traditional definition of marriage constitutes a compelling state interest. Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional."

Republican Governor Arnold shortly after the decision vowed to uphold the Court ruling and in a statement said,

“I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling.”

The Governor was referring to a proposed Constitutional Amendment that might be on the California ballot this November. If it qualifies, it would overturn this Court decision. Observers believe California could easily follow the example of Arizona and reject the amendment.

Clearly, it will be all hands on deck for this epic and historical battle this Fall.

Our picture guru, Jonathan Stoller, sent this video clip to me today. I was in awe watching these two men perform an amazing visual performance combining brute strength and artistry. Enjoy!

Now a new fun game can begin around the table at American dinner parties. Who will be Barack Obama's choice for Vice President? Everyone, of course, will have an opinion and all will have the appropriate geographical and ideology argument to back up their choices. There will be the supporters of Senator Clinton who are offended by such talk so soon but my advice to them is to just ignore the discussion.

Over the next weeks, I will be looking at different options Obama will have for Vice President. This week is "The Women".

For those who feel strongly that after this primary season that it must be a woman, there a number of powerful choices.

Of course, Senator Clinton immediately comes to mind. Almost everyone knows the pros and cons of this equation. One can't help wonder what life would be like for President Bill Clinton at the Vice President's residence at the Naval Observatory while the real action is happening down at the White House. It boggles the mind! Such a pairing of Obama and Clinton would rival that of Kennedy and Johnson in 1960. There would be likely very little love lost between the top two. In addition, after this primary would either be able to sell the other to their supporters?

Maybe a better approach would be to seek another woman who would bring unity to the ticket.  

At the top of my list would be Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri. She has been a long standing State official in this critical swing state that Obama carried in the primaries. A strong supporter of the Illinois Senator, she is a tough and uncompromising campaigner with a good grasp of economic issues. The Senator was the first female Jackson County Prosecutor (Kansas City). In her post as State Auditor of Missouri, she had to deal with budgets and the economic battles that states have to face. The Senator became famous as a watchdog for taxpayers in the "Show Me State". The big bonus with Senator McCaskill is her mother "Miss Betty" who was the first woman to serve on Columbia's City Council. "Miss Betty" makes Lillian Carter seem like a shrinking violent. Seniors will love her! No one has been more loyal or devoted to Obama than McCaskill.

Then there is Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. This remarkable and charismatic woman has won state wide twice in Kansas and knows how to campaign in rural areas. She could be invaluable in states such as Iowa, Colorado, Oregon, Montana and Arizona. In addition, the governor is Catholic and that could be a big plus for Obama. She has been a champion of the small family farmer, a fighter for education and has a pro small business record in Kansas. A little known fact is her strong Ohio connection - her father is the former Ohio Governor John Gilligan. That could be a great added bonus. She is the first daughter of a Governor to be elected to that same position in United States history. See the clip below where Governor Sebelius is featured on the Obama registration video.

Finally there is Congresswoman Jane Harmon of Southern California Her strength would be the around national security, homeland security and intelligence. She has been on the House Intelligence Committee for eight years. Although she is not on close terms with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, she has the respect of the defense and military establishment. Her credentials on Israel and in the Jewish community are flawless. She would add reassurance to those who have concerns on Obama's foreign policy experience.

Despite winning overwhelmingly in the West Virginia primary, the delegate math has barely changed from a week ago. While Senator Clinton picked up 16 delegates to Obama's 7 delegates in West Virginia, the flood of superdelegates to Obama's column still gives him a lead for weekly delegates earned. Just in the last two days, Obama has gained six super delegates. Obama's lead over Clinton has increased to 170 delegates.

Next week we will see a split decision with Clinton doing well in Kentucky and Obama having a significant victory in Oregon. The delegate math is just not going to change. That is a fact. All the noise in the world, barring a major scandal, is not going to make that math go away.

Of course, Senator Clinton has the right to continue as long as she wants but we also have the right to question the ramifications of her continued race. Her actions do not happen in a vacuum with no consequences. As Obama attempts to jumpstart the Fall campaign against John McCain with appearances in Michigan, Missouri and Florida, he still has to deal with the fact that Senator Clinton insists on continuing her failed campaign. There is no question in my mind, at this stage, that she is seriously starting to hurt our chances for the Fall.

With an impressive West Virginia victory, what better time to leave the race or at least suspend her campaign and go out with a blaze of glory? Somewhere along the way, she has to start factoring in her responsibility for a Democratic win in November.

Senator Clinton's devoted and strong supporters would like her to understandably continue here fight. Although, eventually reality needs to settle in. Like Obama supporters, they would stay with her until the bitter end. The loyalty makes the need for a timely transition even more compelling. She must provide the leadership for her own supporters, give them time to heal and bring them into an united Party. The Democratic Party, the progressive movement and the pivotal issues of our times are calling for her to do the right thing.

While a majority of our readers believe that Senator Obama will be the Democratic nominee, a strong minority believe Senator Clinton still has a chance. With 46% of the vote, Clinton still has attracted a large number of folks who believe that she will be the nominee. Although, throughout the week, her numbers kept shrinking from a 55% majority. Could it be that the realism of the delegate math is starting to sink into voters minds?

With Clinton's big West Virginia victory last night, it will be interesting to see if that trend continues or if she actually received an important boost. Obama ended up with 54% of the votes. These figures show how this campaign continues to be endless!

Who Do You Think Will Be The Democratic Nominee For President?

Barack Obama 54%
Hillary Clinton 46%

Here is something you won’t find in a Neiman Marcus catalogue this Christmas. How would you like to immortalize a friend by naming a species after him or her? It is an idea that appeals to many people, but the honor is usually only bestowed on people who have devoted a lifetime of inquiry and service to taxonomy or conservation.

With 1/3 to ½ of all the world’s amphibians facing extinction, some innovative scientists are desperately trying to build financial capacity to tackle the extinction crisis by auctioning off the right to name several newly discovered frog species. Jeff Corwin and Amphibian Ark hope to raise crucial conservation funds to help build a captive breeding facility for the most highly endangered species of amphibians in Ecuador.

This unnamed frog species belongs to the genus Osornophryne a genus endemic to mountains in Columbia and Ecuador. Right now it’s going for a steal at $1,700. But with two weeks left on the bidding, I don’t think this one will come cheap. Anyone fancy naming it Osornophryne mixneri? Or how about an activist frog, Osornophryne equalrights? Place your bid here