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North Carolina votes on same-sex marriage – US politics live North Carolina votes on same-sex marriage – US politics live
(40 minutes later)
10.00am: Good morning and welcome to our live blog coverage of US politics today, where much of the focus will be on the vote on a same-sex marriage ban in North Carolina. Here's a summary of developments from Ryan Devereaux. 10.31am: Presidential debates in Mexico are much the same as anywhere else: a row of people in dark suits behind podiums, former Playboy models...
• Voters in North Carolina are considering a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages and civil unions. If passed, the measure would deal a blow to those advocating for nationwide expansion of gay marriage rights. Over the weekend, vice-president Joe Biden said he was "absolutely comfortable" with the idea of gay people being able to marry each other, drawing a public distinction between his views and those of Barack Obama, who claims his stance on gay marriage is "evolving". According to a Gallup poll, 50% of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages. To mark the debate's start, a stunning, undeniably well-endowed model took the floor, smiling silently and carrying a box with four pieces of paper in it that candidates drew to see who went first.
• One of the Republican party's longest-serving senators, Richard Lugar of Indiana, is facing defeat on Tuesday in the face of a strong primary challenge from the Tea Party movement. The most recent poll in Indiana shows his opponent, Richard Mourdock, with a 10-point lead. Elsewhere, Democrats in Wisconsin are choosing a candidate to go up against Governor Scott Walker in a recall election in July. The candidates managed a straight face, but at first sight of her, dozens of journalists inside the debate press room at Mexico City's World Trade Center gasped and jeered.
• Former presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has endorsed Mitt Romney, a man he once described as "the worst Republican in the country", in his bid for the highest office in the land. The former Pennsylvania senator made his endorsement in a late-night email sent Monday evening. In urging his supporters to back Romney, Santorum acknowledged divides between himself and Romney, writing, "The primary campaign certainly made it clear that Governor Romney and I have some differences. But there are many significant areas in which we agree." And now the Federal Electoral Institute, which organises the debates, has issued a statement apologising to the citizens of Mexico and the candidates for the "production error associated with the dress of an assistant."
10.21am: The Guardian's Karen McVeigh is in North Carolina for today's vote on the constitutional amendment known as "Amendment 1," and explains:
If passed, Amendment 1 would alter the state constitution to declare "marriage between one man and one woman" as "the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized."
In other words, it would not only prevent same-sex marriage but ban any state recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships.
Campaigners against Amendment 1 have concentrated their arguments on the wider implications of the law, and its effect on those for whom it was never intended to affect, like the children of those in domestic partnerships or to lessen the protection given to victims of domestic violence who are unmarried.
The debate in North Carolina isn't just theoretical: a number of counties and towns within the state already offer partnership benefits to both gay and straight couples. But those benefits would disappear if the bill passes.
10am: The focus of politics today will be on North Carolina's vote on an amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage, while conservatives and Tea Party supporters will be hoping for another scalp in Indiana, where veteran senator Richard Lugar is likely to be ousted in the GOP primary there.
Here's a summary of developments from Ryan Devereaux.
• Voters in North Carolina are considering a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. If passed, the measure would deal a blow to those advocating for nationwide expansion of gay marriage rights. Over the weekend, vice-president Joe Biden said he was "absolutely comfortable" with the idea of gay people being able to marry each other, drawing a public distinction between his views and those of Barack Obama, who claims his stance on gay marriage is "evolving". According to a Gallup poll, 50% of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages.
• One of the Republican party's longest-serving senators, Richard Lugar of Indiana, is facing defeat today in the face of a strong primary challenge from conservatives. The most recent poll in Indiana shows his opponent, Richard Mourdock, with a 10-point lead. Meanwhile, Democrats in Wisconsin are choosing a candidate to take on Governor Scott Walker in a recall election in July.
• Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum has endorsed Mitt Romney, a man he once described as "the worst Republican in the country". The former Pennsylvania senator made his endorsement in a late-night email sent Monday evening. In asking his supporters to back Romney, Santorum acknowledged divides between himself and Romney: "The primary campaign certainly made it clear that Governor Romney and I have some differences. But there are many significant areas in which we agree."
• George Soros, the billionaire financier, has pledged to donate $2m to political groups supporting progressive causes and Obama's re-election. The advocacy group America Votes will receive $1m, while the other $1m will be directed to American Bridge 21st Century, a pro-Obama Super Pac.• George Soros, the billionaire financier, has pledged to donate $2m to political groups supporting progressive causes and Obama's re-election. The advocacy group America Votes will receive $1m, while the other $1m will be directed to American Bridge 21st Century, a pro-Obama Super Pac.
• Mitt Romney believes he deserves "a lot of credit" for the success of the nation's auto industry. Speaking in Ohio on Monday, the former Massachusetts governor said the president followed his lead by pushing auto companies through a managed bankruptcy not long after he took office. He did not mention that the auto industry went bankrupt in the midst of a massive bailout that Romney opposed. Barack Obama on Tuesday will lay out an economic "to-do" list for congress in a stop at Albany, New York. • Mitt Romney believes he deserves "a lot of credit" for the success of the nation's auto industry. Speaking in Ohio on Monday, the former Massachusetts governor said the president followed his lead by pushing car makers through a managed bankruptcy not long after he took office. He did not mention that the auto industry was supported by a massive bailout that Romney opposed. Barack Obama on Tuesday will lay out an economic "to-do" list for congress in a stop at Albany, New York.