On the same day that Senator John McCain discussed his optimistic projections for the war in Iraq, a different war came into the war today. A ruling by the California Supreme Court could give the constantly simmering culture war new salience, as the state becomes the second to allow full-fledged gay marriage.

The court’s 4-to-3 decision, striking down two state laws that had limited marriages to unions between a man and a woman, will make California only the second state, after Massachusetts, to allow same-sex marriages.

None of the top presidential candidates fully embraced the ruling; the distinctions among their statements rested in tone and attitude toward the “deciders” of the case. Senator John McCain objected foremost to the fact that this decision came from the courts.

John Mccain - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog

“John McCain supports the right of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution sanctioning the union between a man and a woman, just as he did in his home state of Arizona,” said Tucker Bounds, a campaign spokesman. “John McCain doesn’t believe judges should be making these decisions.”

[For the record, Arizona’s voters were the first state to reject an amendment to their state’s constitution banning gay marriage in 2006.]

Statements from Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton were nearly identical. While neither overtly criticized the decision, both sought to clarify that they support civil unions (opposed, implicitly, to marriage).

Hillary Rodham Clinton - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog

From the Clinton campaign:

Hillary Clinton believes that gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships should have the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans and believes that civil unions are the best way to achieve this goal. As President, Hillary Clinton will work to ensure that same sex couples have access to these rights and responsibilities at the federal level. She has said and continues to believe that the issue of marriage should be left to the states.

From the Obama campaign:

Barack Obama - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog

Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President. He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage.

One top Democrat did fully embrace the ruling. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents the San Francisco area:

Nancy Pelosi

I welcome the California Supreme Court’s historic decision. I have long fought against discrimination and believe that the State Constitution provides for equal treatment for all of California’s citizens and families, which today’s decision recognizes.

I commend the plaintiffs from San Francisco for their courage and commitment. I encourage California citizens to respect the Court’s decision, and I continue to strongly oppose any ballot measure that would write discrimination into the State Constitution.

Today is a significant milestone for which all Californians can take pride.

In any case, the ruling looks likely to stand, based on the succinct reaction from California’s Republican governor. “I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling,” said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling.”