The Governator follows through and vetoes gay marriage bill

Ahnald! Ahnald! How will you show yourself at all those cocktail parties? How can you look your Hollywood sychophants friends in the eye again, once you leave Sacramento?

Careful, governator, that may be a spine you've begun to grow!

Or it could simply be political opportunism. After all, California conservatives would demand nothing less. Plus, Californians had already approved a referendum banning "gay marriage":

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a widely expected move vetoed a bill on Thursday that would have allowed gay couples to marry.

The Republican governor had earlier this month indicated he would veto the bill passed by California's Democrat-led legislature. The bill was the first of its kind approved by a state legislature.

Schwarzenegger said he would leave the contentious issue of same-sex marriage to voters and the courts. "I do not believe the legislature can reverse an initiative approved by the people of California," he said in a written statement.

"This bill simply adds confusion to a constitutional issue," Schwarzenegger wrote. "If the ban of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, this bill is not necessary. If the ban is constitutional, this bill is ineffective."

The Governator's reasoning is sound, as far as it goes. Unfortunately, he did not capitalize on an opportunity to lead here. He could have made a stand with Californians that approved the referendum that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. He could have used the veto as an opportunity to send the message that reinterpreting an institution older than civilization to appease the political correctness of an underwhelming minority undermines family and the state. He could have energized the conservatives and rallied them behind him, at least on this issue.

Instead, he punts the decision to the California Courts and the people. Thus, he can shrug his shoulders no matter what happens. He made the safe calculation. It cost him the opportunity to show he truly understands and empathizes with the average Californian. It cost him the opportunity to be a leader. Instead, he's shown that he's simply another politician. Trust the Governator to know which way the wind blows. Don't count on him standing up to it.