When you boil it down, it was a simple decision. Less simple, however, is how this will affect the ongoing gubernatorial run of San Francisco's erstwhile mayor, Gavin Newsom. On the one hand, Newsom became a folk hero for many (and hamstrung his progressive critics for years to come) in 2003 when he unilaterally made San Francisco the Las Vegas of same-sex weddings. Yet on the other hand, his braying "whether you like it or not" soundbite formed the cornerstone of the ad campaign that allowed gay marriage opponents to win the day.

Would not having to focus on a looming same-sex marriage electoral showdown help or hurt candidate Gavin Newsom? That depends on whom you ask.