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The political impacts of Obama's new gay marriage stance. Indiana's Mourdock wants to be like Mike Lee. DeChristopher appeals his conviction.

Happy Thursday. For the first time, a sitting U.S. president has announced his support for the legalization of gay marriage. President Barack Obama explained his change of position in an exclusive with ABC News, a move that is likely to have some major political ramifications.

"I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," Obama said. [ABCNews]

-> Gay couples in Utah like Obama's stance, even if they acknowledge it won't change the playing field. [Trib]

-> Check out what Utahns were saying on Twitter about the president's comments. [Storify]

-> Take a look at the political pluses and minuses of Obama's new gay marriage stance. [WaPost] [NYTimes] And where are black voters? [Politico]

-> Mitt Romney restated his opposition to gay marriage, but calls it a "tender and sensitive" topic. [MSNBC] [ABCNews] [CBSNews] [NYTimes]

-> And, next door to Utah, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is seeking a special session to address civil unions. [NYTimes]

Topping the news: Rep. Jason Chaffetz complains that TSA has stockpiled security equipment that it's not even sure works. [Politico]

-> Tim DeChristopher, the environmental activist imprisoned for making bogus bids on oil and gas leases, appeals his conviction. [APviaNYTimes]

Happy Birthday: to state Rep. Lynn Hemingway and Aimee Winder Newton. And a belated happy birthday to Liddy Huntsman and The Daily Herald of Provo's Billy Hesterman.

Raising funds: Mia Love continues her trip to Washington, D.C., with a fundraiser this evening sponsored by Utah's four Republicans, Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee and Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz.

A painful day: The Salt Lake Tribune laid off nine newsroom employees because of declining advertising revenue and circulation. We wish these reporters and copy editors — our friends — the best as they seek new employment. [Trib] [AP via Herald] Read Trib Editor Nancy Conway's email to the staff. [Romenesko]

Tweets of the Day: From @StuPolitics: "Obvious poll question of the day: Anyone actually doubt Obama was for same sex marriage before he announced it?"

From @markknoller: "No dispute at the WH that Pres Obama's hand was forced by VP Biden's statement Sunday on gay marriage."

From @daveweigel: "Okay, Biden. Now say something about decriminalizing pot."

From @HuntsmanAbby: "Obama follows GOPers Cheney, Schwarzenegger, & Mehlman in support of gay marriage. Maybe the two parties aren't as far apart as people think"

In other news: Salt Lake officials and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood break ground on the Sugar House streetcar project. [Trib] [DNews]

-> The new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau hires a U. law professor to enforce rules in western states. [Trib]

-> Richard Mourdock, who beat Sen. Dick Lugar in Indiana, said he would try to model himself off of Sen. Mike Lee if he wins in November. [NatJournal]

-> Why Sen. Orrin Hatch isn't feeling the same heat that Lugar felt? Because campaigning makes a difference. [Hotline]

-> Lugar's loss means Hatch won the seniority feud that they have been waging for years. [WaPost]

-> Former Sen. Bob Bennett warns that the tea party shouldn't get too much credit for Lugar's loss. [USAToday]

-> Peg McEntee says Obama took a courageous stand on gay marriage. [Trib]

2012 Watch: Did VP Joe Biden force Obama's hand on gay marriage? [Politico]

-> You thought The Avengers was a Hollywood moneymaker? The Obama campaign is also cashing in on Tinseltown. [NYTimes]

-> Romney goes after Obama's energy policy among the oil rigs in Colorado. [Bloomberg]

-> Federal contractors have given more than $1 million to Restore Our Future, a super PAC supporting Romney. And those donations could violate the law, prompting the super PAC to warn donors to seek legal advice before sending in the cash. [Philly]

-> Ann Romney writes an Op-Ed for Mother's Day and said she never held a baby until her first son was born, but learned on the job. "I was a good mom because my own mom was the best." [USAToday]

-> Democrats are optimistic they can retain control of the Senate and Lugar's loss helps. [WaPost]

-> Biden makes an appearance on Jeopardy! [DailyCaller]

Where are they?

Sen. Orrin Hatch picks up honors from the American Conservative Union and the National Taxpayer Union. He also meets with the commander of the Utah National Guard and the intelligence chief for the Air Force.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz attends an oversight hearing on inspector generals and meets with executives with U.S. Oil.

Gov. Gary Herbert meets with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, talks with Kevin Jones about start ups, meets with the higher education leadership, then sits down for separate meetings with SLC Mayor Ralph Becker, Alan Matheson, Commissioner William Sederburg. He films a PSA for Mountain America Credit Union, hosts a Salt Lake Chamber meeting at the Governor's mansion and attends the reception for Utah Europe Days.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker meets with the neighborhood business conference, attends a performing arts center meeting, listens in on a conference call for Partners for Livable Communities, meets with Herbert, then Lean Energy founder Megan Matson and finally with Michal Sedlacek, consul general of the Czech Republic.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon goes to the United Way Board of Directors retreat, the Salt Lake Chamber reception and gives remarks at the Great Salt Lake issues forum.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder meets with the Salt Lake County Association of Community Councils.

President Barack Obama flies to Seattle for two fundraisers, then goes to Los Angeles for the big fundraiser at George Clooney's house.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to you inbox. [Trib]

— Matt Canham and Robert Gehrke Twitter.com/mattcanham and Twitter.com/RobertGehrke