I had just walked into the Meadowbrook Swim Club in Mt. Washington. My tie was loosened, and a staffer said I must have had a tough day.

         “Next week we’ll be voting on the marriage bill,” I responded.

          Then it hit me. This will be one of those historic votes.

          Like the abortion and stem cell research floor battles of the past (and death penalty repeal later this term, hopefully), it will be a test of legislative strategy, floor debate, and simple counting – to make sure all of our supporters are voting with us.

            The end result is public policy that affects people’s daily lives.

—

              The lobbying on marriage equality has been intense – on both sides.

               It is legitimate for the clergy to speak out on an issue of this nature and clearly not a violation of the separation of church and state. I only wish they had been as vigorous on the death penalty.

               “I have been interested in the problems of political courage in the face of constituent pressures,” wrote John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage. “When that roll is called he [the Senator] cannot hide, he cannot equivocate, he cannot delay.” 

               Next week, we will all face that moment.

March 4