Three states--California, Arizona, Florida--passed amendments to their state constitutions defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

We'll see how the inevitable court challenges procede.

Two lessons: first, social conservatism is not an electoral losing strategy; second, the majority of voters even in California are sick of activist judges imposing social change (the amendments are an attempt to reign in judicial activism such as seen in Massachusetts).

Therefore, political conservatism can be revived into a potent force in the United States with the right leadership and approach.

btw, Obama should be forwarned that nominating and appointing activist judges could leave him vulnerable in '12