Is same-sex marriage vote losing urgency?

Opponents of the measure are hoping the controversy over Bradlee Dean's appearance before the House of Representatives this morning could be pushing off the proposed constitutional amendment on same-sex marriage down the House agenda.

"I think we won a small victory," said Rep. John Kriesel, of Cottage Grove, just before the House adjourned about 2:30 and went into caucus, without taking up the measure as he'd expected. The House is scheduled to return at 7:45 tonight.

Rep. Steve Gottwald, of St. Cloud, says the amendment proposal he sponsored is teed up and can "be brought up at any time."

But in virtually the next sentence, he called the Dean controversy "very unfortunate" and badly timed.

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"The marriage amendment has always been about having a discussion among the people of Minnesota decently, respectfully, about the definition of marriage between one man and one woman," Gottwalt said. "And any other agenda is inappropriate. Especially an agenda about hate. So what happened this morning was both unfortunate and disgusting to some extent. That person should not have been here."

He said he hoped Dean's presence wouldn't be linked to the same sex marriage amendment.

"I would hope that no one would try to link the two together, because we have been absolutely clear about the desire for decency and respect in the conversation about the definition of marriage. So for someone to link hate to this would be very unfortunate."

Gottwalt, though, couldn't say when or if he thought the amendment would come up for a vote.

But opponents believe it could get more difficult in coming days.

There are three full days left, and tomorrow will feature the People's Rally for a Fair Minnesota, which is expected to bring thousands of people to the Capitol -- and possibly tempting the biggest demonstration yet against the marriage amendment.

Legislators generally don't meet on Sundays, and the last Monday is often consumed by stop-and-start budget negotiations, rather than the marathon floor debate that the marriage amendment is likely to spark.

The House could put off action on the amendment and try again next year. Supporters would still have time to vote then to put the question on the 2012 ballot.