We noted that earlier today that most major GOP lawmakers had a muted reaction to the Supreme Court in effect legalizing same-sex marriage in a number of states, including red states or states with GOP governors. (Gov. Scott Walker: “For us, it’s over in Wisconsin.”)
But demagogues die hard. If there’s one place where the market remains open for rank grandstanding over gay people, it’s GOP presidential primaries. So up steps Sen. Ted Cruz to suggest amending the Equal Protection clause to allow discrimination against gays. And, wait for it…
…Mike Huckabee, come on down!
Brian Beutler at the New Republic reports:
Unlike in Wisconsin, same-sex marriage prohibitions in South Carolina and Wyoming weren’t stricken directly, but rather as a consequence of circuit court rulings against bans in nearby states. And Republicans there are intent on dragging their heels. Rather than accepting defeat, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Wyoming Governor Matt Mead both plan to enforce their state SSM bans to the bitter end. But whereas these governors are probably just playing footsie with nullification, and ultimately plan to issue same-sex marriage licenses when federal judges order them to, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is all in on the idea that Republican governors can continue to stand athwart same-sex marriage until gay people pry the veto pens from their cold dead hands.
“It is shocking that many elected officials, attorneys and judges think that a court ruling is the ‘final word,'” Huckabee said. “It most certainly is not. The courts are one branch of government, and equal to the other two, but not superior to either and certainly not to both. Even if the other two branches agree with the ruling, the people’s representatives have to pass enabling legislation to authorize same sex marriage, and the President (or Governor in the case of the state) has to sign it. Otherwise, it remains the court’s opinion. It is NOT the ‘law of the land’ as is often heralded.”
If a former governor of Arkansas starts talking about refusing to follow the law issued by federal courts, folks are liable to start feeling a little uneasy.
Even Cruz hasn’t said Supreme Court decisions are just plain old opinions, not the law. Well, stealing a line from Ezra Klein, ask not for whom the Huck trolls. He trolls for thee.