Media and Gay Marriage

That, and other news, in today's Political Panorama.

With New York set to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages, California poised to start them next month and polls shifting in favor of gay marriage, has momentum shifted? Even Bill O'Reilly is taking down gay marriage opponents, challenging a rep from the Family Law Assn. to come up with a reason why gay marriage is bad for California. He couldn't come up with one. Andrew Sullivan writes on his blog, "Is it me or does it feel as if we have reached a tipping point on this issue?"

It could all just be a lull in the furor, as opponents mount resources and create new strategies for an expected California ballot initiative in November to ban same-sex marriage. David Paul Kuhn writes in The Politico that the "muted political reaction to the recent California Supreme Court decision overturning the state’s ban on gay marriage might seem to suggest that same-sex marriage has run its course as a political wedge issue. But pollsters caution that it may yet return to center stage in the presidential election this fall."

Barack Obama and John McCain are both opposed to gay marriage, while Obama is opposed to the proposed California ballot initiative to ban it. McCain has criticized the California Supreme Court ruling, but he has not publicly stated where he stands on the initiative, other than to say that it should be left to the people to decide.

Mayor Machinations: The Los Angeles Times' Tina Daunt has details of Hollywood's efforts to boost the re-election fortunes of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa,  with Rob Reiner hosting a strategy session at his home amid rumblings that developer Rick Caruso is eyeing the race. Among the fund-raisers so far: an event at the home of Haim Saban, co-hosted by Jeffrey Katzenberg, Jim Wiatt and Peter Chernin. She writes, "By the end of June, more than a dozen campaign events -- with almost every studio head in town signed up to attend -- will have been held."

"What Antonio wants to do is get out in front and show his strength to other candidates," Reiner tells Daunt. "I don't think he'll have any problem."

Kiss Meets Condi: Who knew? Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is "thrilled" to meet KISS.