How will gay marriage play?

Today's vote by the Massachusetts Legislature to reject a proposed gay marriage ban will likely cause some ripples in the presidential race. The candidate with the most at stake is likely Mitt Romney, who fought hard for the ban. Romney today is already reaffirming his call for a federal gay marriage ban. In the past, Romney has called rival John McCain "disingenous" for opposing gay marriage but also opposing a federal ban. Will we see more of that rhetoric now?

Here's Romney's full statement today: "Today's vote by the State Legislature is a regrettable setback in our efforts to defend traditional marriage. Unfortunately, our elected representatives decided that the voice of the people did not need to be heard in this debate. It is now even more important that we pass a Constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage. Marriage is an institution that goes to the heart of our society, and our leaders can no longer abdicate their responsibility."

UPDATE: McCain's campaign just put out a statement taking aim at Romney for having opposed a different proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage in 2002, though that proposed amendment went further than this one, seeking to ban not just same-sex weddings but domestic-partner benefits as well.

"In typical Mitt Romney fashion, the former Massachusetts governor was against a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage before he was for it," McCain spokesman Danny Diaz said in the statement. "Romney continues to prove that he is someone that will say and do anything in pursuit of the nomination."

Abortion, immigration, gay marriage -- what's next, McCain and Romney duking it out over the final episode of "The Sopranos?"