try reading this interview with Mayor Gavin Newsom and not falling in love. the guy says exactly what's right, without flinching or worrying about how it might poll or look, and with convinction and heart. and he's so perfect on the issue of marriage, so perfect. he's the kind of politician we need to grow and flourish in the party. here's a brief excerpt, but do read the whole interview:

M&R: What about the blowback on gay marriage -- that you cost the Democrats the election? In hindsight, would you have done it differently?
Newsom: Nope. I stand by that 1,000 percent -- in fact, I've never felt more resolved.
M&R: What about the criticism from fellow Democrats?
Newsom: Irrelevant.
M&R: Why?
Newsom: Remember what Martin Luther King Jr. said in his Birmingham jail cell -- everyone says wait, and he said, "Wait almost always means never." And you know what? He was right. "Too much, too soon?" No -- it was too little, too slow.
M&R: What if this has burned your chances of going any further?
Newsom: Big deal. I mean, that assumes that my life is defined by some title. It's defined by something much more substantive -- it's defined by my ability to feel that I've done my best and added some value.

keep on keepin' on mr. mayor