True. From what I read the Republican Minority leader is negotiating “religious protections” (which I think are the already protected rights such as church hall rental, etc.) and that upon “winning” these “concessions” the bill will have bipartisan support.

Moderates and independents place a great deal of importance on bipartisan votes so the Democrats need at least one or two Republicans so as to give the bill broader public support. Republicans have to look like they are concerned about the poor churches.

Here’s my prediction:

They will all play the game and Seriously Address the fears of the First Church of They’re Out To Get Me and make everyone feel like they were heard.

Then on the floor, Democratic Representatives will make Very Heartfelt Speeches. But it will be the somewhat disjointed tearful speech of some unexpected (and carefully selected) conservative Republican who fought in the gulf war with a lesbian who was ‘the best damn patriot he ever had the pleasure of serving with and she deserves what she fought for’ (while he chokes up and wipes his eyes) which will be the YouTube sensation.

One old Republican Senator who won’t be running again will bluster about sin and Sodom while everyone else either looks embarrassed or has Something Very Important to say to their staff right then. But the rest of the no votes (mostly Republicans and probably one or two downstate Democrats) will not utter a peep during the debates.

The vote will pass marriage with two votes to spare. The supporters will celebrate, and the opponents will forever after say, “well I believe marriage is between a man and a woman but that issue is settled and it wouldn’t be best to bring it up again”.

Or so I guess.

If you wish to e-mail a specific member of our staff, please note that all staff e-mail addresses are the first initial of the staff member’s first name followed by their last name followed by @ILGOP.org – For example, John Doe’s e-mail address would be jdoe@ILGOP.org.

As a backup/CC, use info@ilgop.org.

And, especially for IL residents:
Phone: 217-525-0011

Some deep-pocketed GOP insiders also seem to agree with Brady on the marriage issue. On Wednesday, former Exelon Corp. CEO John Rowe, a prolific campaign donor, sent a letter to the State Central Committee warning party bosses about the political fallout of opposing gay marriage.

“We cannot deal with the issues of fiscal responsibility, national security and individual self sufficiency while making so many enemies,” Rowe wrote, according to a copy of the letter obtained by WBEZ.

And there is nothing party bosses fear more than donations drying up.

“What some voters perceive as extremism on some of the social issues certainly cost votes in November and will cost votes in the future,” Durham said, referring to young voters and suburban women, two key voting blocs. “And there’s a lot of candidates right now doing soul-searching, looking at some of these issues to say, ‘Where are we really on this stuff?’”

For his part, Brady said that’s why he chose to speak up when he did.

“We need to change the brand or the image of the party of this group of angry, old white guys,” Brady said. “And that’s what we look like right now.”
__________

No surprise that Brady didn’t ask the angry, old white guys for their approval, eh?