Y-M-C...I-O-W-A

How did Iowa make California look more conservative? California has San Francisco. Iowa has...Des Moines. And now, legal gay marriage. While the victory was the result of a reversed court decision (rather than a legislative one, as in Vermont), it still came as quite a shock to many red-staters who probably figured the gayest thing they'd ever have to see was a touring production of Rent. Any decision that moves us toward a more socially equitable platform is positive; increased liberty is always good. Now Iowa gives a sense of hope to non-coastal states that the rainbow tide might be turning.

Though, as a Chicagoan, I'm wary of anything that might give Wisconsin a sense of hope.