Was the NY Senate vote against marriage or against Patterson?

New York State lawmakers rejected a bill Wednesday that would have granted same-sex couples equal marriage protections. The measure bleed in the state's Senate by a vote of 38 to 24, with unexpected support from several Democrats.

The long-awaited bill easily passed through the Democratic-led assembly. A Marist College poll released Wednesday also showed 51 percent of New Yorkers support gay marriage.

Could the kill in the Senate have been more of a legislative flex against Gov. David Patterson than a representation of public opinion? A victory for gay marriage would have been a strong win for Patterson—it's strongest advocate—and a lifeline for his hemorrhaging career.

Patterson's political strength has dwindled since he succeeded shunned former Gov. Eliot Spitzer in March of 2008. And his wounds were left vulnerable to attack following Pres. Obama insistence that he step away from the 2010 ticket.

"I wasn't expecting betrayal," New York's first openly gay Senator and sponsor Thomas Duane said of the marriage vote.

It remains to be seen if the Senate intends to bury all significant Patterson gains. Regardless, gay rights advocates must regroup and focus attention on sister state New Jersey.