Mr. President, Embrace the M-word in QC (And no, not 'Moline')

So, Mr. President, I understand you're coming to Davenport today to talk about manufacturing. Welcome back.

And hey, as long as you're here, how about also manufacturing some political courage on this whole marriage thing?

OK, I'm under no delusion that you'll take that last short leap and embrace legal same-sex marriage while you're here in Iowa, where, perhaps you've heard, we have legal same-sex marriage. You didn't do it at a New York fundraiser in front of a room filled with your top gay and lesbian supporters. I mean, Neil Patrick Harris was standing right there, and you didn't do it. So a Quad Cities plunge is unlikely.

And New York managed to get it right anyway without your endorsement.

You've said the right things, that you believe strongly in justice and equality. You think gay couples should have the same rights as the rest of us. You're the president who helped send “don't ask, don't tell” packing. Nice job.

But you still can't bring yourself to endorse the m-word.

I've read you're evolving. I understand. I had to get there myself. It wasn't like I rolled out of small town Iowa ready to stand up for gay rights. You live, gain experience, broaden your thinking. I was once in the civil unions, but not marriage, camp myself.

But what I learned here in Iowa is that the struggle for civil rights really isn't about what I'm willing to give, or live with. It's what the folks doing the real fighting see as a victory. That's the real question.

And the answer here is clear. They want marriage equality, not a separate but equal union. They fought and they won in court. And they're going to have to fight to keep it.

They could use some clear, unqualified support from the man in the White House.

I understand politics. I've seen many politicians tip toe around this land mine. Gov. Tom Vilsack did it. Gov. Chet Culver flipped and flopped until he finally got it right. I even think Gov. Terry Branstad has a little voice inside him whispering “equality” while his party demands allegiance to fear.

But I've also seen Democrats and Republicans take a bold stand for civil rights at great risk. Next year, your guy in the Iowa Senate, Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, will face every weapon the righteously indignant and intolerant groups -- ths American Family Association, the National Organization for Marriage, the Family Leader - can throw at him. He's essentially staked his political survival on the premise that defending full marriage rights is the right thing to do. He won't be their only target.

So, Mr. President, I think it's high time for you stand with these leaders, with both of your feet in the fire. Eventually, your evolution has to lead someplace. I have a feeling I know where you're headed. But it's past time to get there.