By a vote of 33-29, the New York senate passed a measure legalizing gay marriage in the state.

New York Post:

Senators passed the bill 33 to 29 as the normally somnolent chambers erupted in a raucous chant of "USA! USA!"

"As I have said many times, this is a very difficult issue and it will be a vote of conscience for every member of the Senate," said GOP Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau).

New York joined Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa and Washington, D.C., in legally recognizing gay marriage.

"I'm verklempt," said a nervously optimistic Assemblyman Matthew Titone (D-S.I), one of five openly gay state lawmakers prior to the vote. "I'm still in a state of disbelief."

The Assembly passed the bill last week for the fourth time since 2007.

The argument that it is unfair for some states to allow gay marriage while others don't will soon be featured before the Supreme Court. That is, unless congress passes a national gay marriage measurei itself. With DOMA being challenged, and the prospects for an anti-gay marriage amendment to the constitution be slim, it appears that the bare majority of Americans who support gay marriage will eventually get their way.

Obama senses the danger in supporting gay marriage to his re-election chances. His support has been "evolving" he says, and his tepid support for the New York bill came late. Gay marriage opponents vote - a reality that even Obama must remain cognizant. And among African Americans, there is overwhelming disapproval of the concept.

If Obama is re-elected, no doubt his "evolving" position on gay marriage will be complete and he will wholeheartedly back it.