OK, as to the state of the Marriage equality vote ...I think it's fair to say as this reuters story does that even "supporters said that it was not clear what would happen next."
The Reuters story continues:
"If you looked at it today, I don't think that the votes are there but it's always a work in progress," said Judiciary Committee member Luiz Simmons, a supporter of the bill and legislative veteran.
"I think there's a possibility of getting the 71 votes (majority), but I don't know. There is no way of knowing for sure."
House Majority leader Kumar Barve, however, said that he was confident of the count in favor for the bill.
"It's going to be close but I think that a majority of the House feels that this is a civil rights issue and its a matter of giving the same rights and privileges and responsibility to loving, same sex couples that married people like me have," Barve said.
Yet, there are some, even within Barve's party, who disagreed.
As to the very next steps, I think Balimore sun writer Julie Bykowicz put it well when she tweeted:
House floor debate on same-sex marriage plan next week. Probably almost all week.
So a week of debate, more fury for sure, and potentially a vote by Friday. Maybe.
On the other hand, clearly this bill just missed a near death experience.
We should be relieved and take a deep breath.
For about a minute. And then keep pushing.