So, the popular spin on
the Massachusetts' Supreme Court decision on gay marriage is that it's a boon for the GOP and a burden for the Dems. To the contrary, it's a perfect opportunity to show voters that Democrats, not Rethuglicans, are for states' rights and regional preferences.
Having gone over to the dark side, the GOP is making a formal effort to push its social preferences on all of us -- now, through a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Aside from the policy reasons why this is a bad idea, it's clear that it's an assault on state rights, and the states' traditional power to regulate the institution of marriage. And, that's the pitch that Democratic candidates' need to make.
So what if gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts? Under existing federal law, no state has to recognize a gay marriage in another state. So, when the right starts to bash Dems in the south, just turn the tables: States rights apply nationwide. California and Massachusetts have just as much of a right to decide their domestic policy as Alabama. (So, if you're in Alabama, don't worry, you'll always be able to marry your first cousin.) If Democrats hit this home hard, they can put the GOP on the defensive. Combine it with a 1-2 punch--states rights + federal tax cuts making it impossible for states to have any sort of policy--and it just might work. Or at least stem the tide.