Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof

Maryland Becomes 8th State to Approve Same-Sex Marriage - both the vote in the House last week and the Senate yesterday were close, passing by one vote over the majority needed. Governor Martin O'Malley (D), who had put the weight of his office behind the proposal, will sign the bill, will will go into effect January 2013, next week. Meanwhile, opponents will petition to force a statewide referendum in the General election this year. The Washington Post has more here.

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Virginia Controversial Anti-Abortion Bill Tabled - the furor that erupted from the bill requiring women to have a ultrasound performed prior to an abortion ended any hopes for passage. Governor McDonnell (R) had originally supported the bill, but withdrew his support as details came forward on the bill, including the requirement a vaginal probe be used tom determine the age of a fetus. You can read more here.

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Afghanistan Demands NATO Put on Trial Koran Burners - the demand comes as thousands demonstrate against the inadvertent burning of the Koran by NATO personnel. President Obama sent a letter of apology to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. Reuters.com has more here.

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Syrian Opposition Faces Lack of Organization - as international outrage intensifies over the brutal crackdown by the Assad regime, the NY Times has a good read here on how the opposition is made up of many separate and distinct groups.

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Clinton Heads To "Friends of Syria Conference" - held in Tunisia, international leaders will be discussing how to aid the opposition forces in Syria. The BBC News has more here.

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Comedian Bill Maher to Donate One Million To Obama Super-Pac - he made the announcement yesterday. The donation will be made to Priorities USA Action. CNN.com has more here.

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