Gay Marriage Legal in New Hampshire

Governor John Lynch signed a bill that makes gay marriage legal in New Hampshire.

"Today we're standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear they will receive the same rights, responsibilities, and respect under New Hampshire law," Governor John Lynch said before signing the legislation in a State House ceremony at about 5:20 p.m.

Lynch said it was a New Hampshire tradition "to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections, and that tradition continues today." The room, filled by scores of the bill's supporters, resounded with applause as he signed.

Lynch made it clear he would not sign any bill that forced religious institutions to recognize gay marriages. Religious groups will not have to provide insurance for gay married couples. The law will go in effect January 1, 2010.

Gay marriage supporters celebrated outside the New Hampshire Statehouse.

The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, elected in New Hampshire in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, was among those celebrating the new law.

"It's about being recognized as whole people and whole citizens," Robinson said.

"There are a lot of people standing here who when we grew up could not have imagined this," he said. "You can't imagine something that is simply impossible. It's happened, in our lifetimes."

Pam Spaulding has a round up of the LGBT community reaction.

Mitt Romney Concession Speech

I am watching Mitt Romney's concession speech.

8:46: Mitt comes on the stage to the tune of Elvis's Little Less Conversation. Mitt is an Elvis kinda guy.

8:47: Mitt is happy to get another silver medal.

8:49: Mitt say people are frustrated with Washing leadership. Which party has been running the country? Thank God for the 2006 Congressional elections.

8:50: Mitt say it's time to send someone to Washington to get things done. Like Mitt did in Iowa and New Hampshire.

8:51: Mitt is going through his resume.

8:53 Mitt's talking about going to Nevada, South Carolina and Florida. I'm waiting for the Howard Dean scream.

8:54: Mitt kisses his wife. The crowd chants, "Mitt! Mitt! Mitt!" Suspicious Minds starts blaring.

Fred Thompson News

Another supporter has jumped Admiral Fred Thompson's ship. This time it's Dan Hughes. He saw the the sinking USS John McCain as more promising. Hughes was the chirman of Thompson's New Hampshire's campaign. Hughes told The Hill that Thompson is writing off New Hampshire.

“It looks like their campaign was probably going to be a page out of the George Bush campaign, where you lose New Hampshire and concentrate on South Carolina,” Hughes told The Hill. “I don’t want to be a token chairman for a token campaign.”

Thompson has not even filed to run in the state. He also seems to be bothered by the state's tradition of voters asking candidates pesky policy questions.

Dean Spiliotes of NHPoliticalCapital.com said Thompson's strategy is to focus on winning South Carolina and Florida. The Admiral is sucking big time ass in the latter. Bush fundraisers already picked a candidate by the time Thompson announced his candidacy. Only Zachariah Zachariah has hosted a Thompson fundraiser. Thompson's horrible performance at the Florida Republican Party convention has scared potential supporters away.

Thompson explains his Orlando performance.

''The proof's in the pudding,'' said the only presidential contender to make two extended campaign swings through Florida.

''I do what I feel like I'm comfortable with and what the occasion calls for,'' Thompson added. ``I'm doing it in the way I feel like I ought to do it, and people are just going to have to get used to it.''

Thompson is innovating modern campaigning with a strategy of writing off key states, horrible fundraising, terrible speaking skills and constantly firing staffers. I can't fault him on his originality.