"Judge Walker is not a dummy," said professor Michael Zamperini of Golden Gate University's school of law. "He knew if he lifted the stay they were going to go to the appeals court anyway. And if they had to do it in a rush, with people getting married and all that, the court just might feel more inclined to stop it so they could consider the case over these many years."

And yet, long-term strategic moves often result in the folks on the front-line suffering. It was not pleasant for people queuing up at City Hall today to be told their greatest desire was granted -- and then subsequently learn that it was not. But, in the grand scheme of things, this was probably the best move, legal scholars say.