Maryland House moves closer to marriage; NOM offers bribe for votes

Timothy Kincaid

March 9th, 2011

Today the Maryland House of Representatives took a step closer towards passing marriage equality. (DelawareOnline)

The House advanced the bill today on a voice vote.

Gay marriage supporters rejected four amendments to the measure — any of which could have sunk the bill’s chances this year — including one which would have put the issue on the ballot in 2012.

The measure —which would make Maryland the sixth state to grant full marriage rights to same-sex couples — now moves to a final vote in the House, which could come as soon as Thursday.

In response, the National Organization for Marriage has publicly offered a bribe to legislators: If you vote the way we want, then we will spend a million dollars on your reelection.

The National Organization of Marriage today announced that it will form the “NOM PAC Maryland” in the state. NOM pledges to spend at least $1 million in Maryland to support Democratic State Legislators who cast their votes to defend the traditional marriage and oppose any Republican Legislators who vote to redefine marriage.

I’m not sure, exactly, how that differs from an illegal bribe; it ties one specific vote to a promise of cash. But I’m sure NOM wouldn’t care one way or the other about the legality of their action.

customartist

March 10th, 2011

I knew it! with all of the waffling and such. At least they are out in the open about it.

Does Maryland Law allow this? Should it?

Will there be a Legal Challenge?

Should we be looking ahead to the Supreme Court?

muzyqman

March 10th, 2011

Maybe NOM thinks a cash incentive that is offered publicly is legal, and that it’s only a bribe if it’s offered in secret. Open or not, an offer of cash in return for a specific vote on an issue is still a bribe.

Bruce Garrett

March 10th, 2011

Amazing that they can suddenly come up with a million bucks…isn’t it? Like they just had it laying around or something. “Hey…Maggie…we still have that million bucks sitting on top of the refrigerator? You know…in the brown paper bag next to the .45 and the box of Captain Crunch…?”

customartist

March 10th, 2011

The Mormon Chuirch is estiamted to be worth $50 to $100 Billion.

This is just the cost of doing business, a “drop in the bucket”.

NOM will fight against Campaign Finance Disclosure all the way to the Supreme Court (which will be interesting).

So the crucial question is “Will DOMA or Financial Disclosure reach the Supreme Court first”?

Richard Rush

March 10th, 2011

customartist wrote,

The Mormon Church is estimated to be worth $50 to $100 Billion.

Billion with a B? Are you serious? And they still found it necessary to pressure their members into digging deep in their pockets to donate to the Prop8 campaign?

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