Sunday shows: Prop. 8's Nov. impact

Even as Republicans try to keep the focus on jobs and the economy, the culture wars are likely to sneak back in, at least on the Sunday shows.

In the wake of this week's federal court decision that overturned California's Proposition 8, the issue of gay marriage is back in the spotlight just in time for the 2010 midterms.

"Fox News Sunday" features former Bush administration solicitor general Ted Olson, the man who helped make the successful case against California's gay marriage ban. Back in January, Olson made waves in conservative circles by signing onto the lawsuit to overturn the ban and penning an op-ed he labeled "the conservative case for gay marriage."

He'll be paired with Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R), a rumored GOP presidential contender in 2012. Social conservatives are likely to be listening closely for the tone Daniels strikes on the Prop. 8 ruling.

While Daniels is a social conservative and opponent of gay marriage, he suggested earlier this year that his party might be wise to tone down its rhetoric. Daniels said the next president "would have to call a truce" on so-called social issues.

Those comments rankled many social conservatives, most notably head of the Family Research Council Tony Perkins, who called Daniels's statement "astonishing." Perkins has his own Sunday spot on "Face the Nation," where he is expected to offer some red meat for conservatives on the ruling.

Carrying the mantle on jobs and the economy for Republicans Sunday will be House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio), who will have the stage to himself for an interview on "Meet the Press."

Boehner led the criticism of the Obama administration this week over new government job figures that showed private companies added just 71,000 jobs last month.

And with the House headed back into session next week to debate a $26 billion state aid package, Boehner, who's made it no secret that he wants Nancy Pelosi's job, will paint the effort as nothing more than additional wasteful stimulus spending as Republicans hammer home that message on the midterm campaign trail.

On CNN's "State of the Union," Govs. Jennifer Granholm (D-Mich.) and Bob McDonnell (R-Va.) will tackle a host of issues from gay marriage to healthcare and immigration.

McDonnell made headlines this week after saying he wants Virginia state police to be trained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws.

Also on tap for Sunday: the oil spill and the war in Iraq. "Meet the Press" will lead with White House Energy adviser Carol Browner as the administration claims new progress in the battle to finally seal off the leaking oil well in the gulf.

BP was optimistic last week that new efforts to permanently plug the well were working and Browner is expected to tout the progress while having to respond to fresh criticism over the spill claims process. Ret. Admiral Thad Allen also makes two appearances Sunday, one on "Face the Nation" and another on CNN's "State of the Union."

On ABC's "This Week," the focus will be entirely on the war in Iraq with Gen. Ray Odierno, the commander of U.S. Forces in the country, and Gen. Peter Chiarelli, army vice chief of staff.

The two are expected to discuss the planned drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq planned for the coming months, which the administration said earlier this week is on track.

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