The Washington-based law firm, King and Spaulding, who the House Republican Leadership retained to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, to do the job the Obama administration has failed to do, decided today to drop the case saying the vetting process was inadequate. They in effect has said yes to Gitmo detainees, but no to Congress. This firm has just proved that bully tactics can work. William Duncan at National Review points out, accurately I might add, what this news demonstrates:
This tantrum and its seeming success tell us that many on the left believe they have a veto on the principle that everybody deserves to be represented in court. It also suggests that there are few limits on what gay marriage supporters will do to marginalize those with whom they disagree.
This action should make defense lawyers everywhere nervous. Notice however you have not seen a similar reaction from the right based on the firm’s decision to defend Gitmo detainees. The law firm’s partner, Former Solicitor Paul Clement, who was going to be the lead counsel for the firm resigned. He said in a statement that “having undertaken the representation, I believe there is no honorable course for me but to complete it.”
Honorable men – 1, Bullies – 0
More discussion on this here.
