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The political impacts of Obama's new gay marriage stance. Indiana's Mourdock wants to be like Mike Lee. DeChristopher appeals his conviction.
Happy Thursday. For the first time, a sitting U.S. president has announced his support for the legalization of gay marriage. President Barack Obama explained his change of position in an exclusive with ABC News, a move that is likely to have some major political ramifications.
"I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," Obama said. [ABCNews]
-> Gay couples in Utah like Obama's stance, even if they acknowledge it won't change the playing field. [Trib]
-> Check out what Utahns were saying on Twitter about the president's comments. [Storify]
-> Take a look at the political pluses and minuses of Obama's new gay marriage stance. [WaPost] [NYTimes] And where are black voters? [Politico]
-> Mitt Romney restated his opposition to gay marriage, but calls it a "tender and sensitive" topic. [MSNBC] [ABCNews] [CBSNews] [NYTimes]
-> And, next door to Utah, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is seeking a special session to address civil unions. [NYTimes]
Topping the news: Rep. Jason Chaffetz complains that TSA has stockpiled security equipment that it's not even sure works. [Politico]
-> Tim DeChristopher, the environmental activist imprisoned for making bogus bids on oil and gas leases, appeals his conviction. [APviaNYTimes]
Happy Birthday: to state Rep. Lynn Hemingway and Aimee Winder Newton. And a belated happy birthday to Liddy Huntsman and The Daily Herald of Provo's Billy Hesterman.
Raising funds: Mia Love continues her trip to Washington, D.C., with a fundraiser this evening sponsored by Utah's four Republicans, Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee and Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz.
A painful day: The Salt Lake Tribune laid off nine newsroom employees because of declining advertising revenue and circulation. We wish these reporters and copy editors — our friends — the best as they seek new employment. [Trib] [AP via Herald] Read Trib Editor Nancy Conway's email to the staff. [Romenesko]
Tweets of the Day: From @StuPolitics: "Obvious poll question of the day: Anyone actually doubt Obama was for same sex marriage before he announced it?"
From @markknoller: "No dispute at the WH that Pres Obama's hand was forced by VP Biden's statement Sunday on gay marriage."
From @daveweigel: "Okay, Biden. Now say something about decriminalizing pot."
From @HuntsmanAbby: "Obama follows GOPers Cheney, Schwarzenegger, & Mehlman in support of gay marriage. Maybe the two parties aren't as far apart as people think"
In other news: Salt Lake officials and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood break ground on the Sugar House streetcar project. [Trib] [DNews]
-> The new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau hires a U. law professor to enforce rules in western states. [Trib]
-> Richard Mourdock, who beat Sen. Dick Lugar in Indiana, said he would try to model himself off of Sen. Mike Lee if he wins in November. [NatJournal]
-> Why Sen. Orrin Hatch isn't feeling the same heat that Lugar felt? Because campaigning makes a difference. [Hotline]
-> Lugar's loss means Hatch won the seniority feud that they have been waging for years. [WaPost]
-> Former Sen. Bob Bennett warns that the tea party shouldn't get too much credit for Lugar's loss. [USAToday]
-> Peg McEntee says Obama took a courageous stand on gay marriage. [Trib]
2012 Watch: Did VP Joe Biden force Obama's hand on gay marriage? [Politico]
-> You thought The Avengers was a Hollywood moneymaker? The Obama campaign is also cashing in on Tinseltown. [NYTimes]
-> Romney goes after Obama's energy policy among the oil rigs in Colorado. [Bloomberg]
-> Federal contractors have given more than $1 million to Restore Our Future, a super PAC supporting Romney. And those donations could violate the law, prompting the super PAC to warn donors to seek legal advice before sending in the cash. [Philly]
-> Ann Romney writes an Op-Ed for Mother's Day and said she never held a baby until her first son was born, but learned on the job. "I was a good mom because my own mom was the best." [USAToday]
-> Democrats are optimistic they can retain control of the Senate and Lugar's loss helps. [WaPost]
-> Biden makes an appearance on Jeopardy! [DailyCaller]
Where are they?
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-- Matt Canham and Robert Gehrke
Twitter.com/mattcanham and Twitter.com/RobertGehrke
