A judge in Maryland has voided the State's ban on gay marriages as unconstitutional and the Maryland Democratic Party has begun its election year dance to avoid the fallout from the decision, which it admits supports its own views on the matter:

Maryland Democrats concerned about the political fallout from last week's court ruling on same—sex marriage are considering a plan to block any final court ruling from taking effect until after the November elections.

The proposal would be offered in legislation by Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons (D—Montgomery) that would freeze any decision from the state's highest court until the General Assembly has time to evaluate it.

"What we're trying to do is see if we can craft a bill allowing the legislature to seek an injunction, at least until 2007, when we'll have the opportunity to consider a constitutional amendment" banning same—sex marriage, Simmons said. 

Republicans argue this bit of gimmickry would deprive voters of a chance to vote this year on a referendum  to amend the state's Constitution to ban same sex marriages. And the effort seems to run afoul of  an earlier decision in which similar legislative interference with judicial rulings were unavailing.

The stakes for the Democrats are high and they admit it. So is their hypocrisy which they don't

Although many Democrats, including Simmons, said they support the rights of gays and lesbians to marry, they also said they recognize that the ruling could hurt the party during key elections this year —— the governor's office and a U.S. Senate seat are at stake.

They said the ruling could galvanize Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s conservative base, increasing Election Day turnout for him and for Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele (R), who is running for U.S. Senate.

"I don't want to see the gubernatorial election, or any other election, tangled up in this issue," said Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D—Montgomery).

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