In a sign that the politics of marriage are changing at breakneck speed, New York Governor David Paterson is said to be attempting to invigorate flagging poll numbers by aggressively pushing for marriage equality for same-sex couples, in this case by putting the issue on the agenda of a special session of the New York legislature.

Governors have come out for marriage equality before – Maine governor John Baldacci recently released a statement urging Maine residents not to veto legislation legalizing it – but these have usually come only when the issue was pressed and a statement was necessary.

Gov. Paterson’s attempt to boost his poll numbers  appears to be working. An April poll demonstrated that even voters who had a low opinion of Paterson supported his aggressive advocacy on behalf of gay marriage. For better or worse, the ploy has even entered the talking points of his political rivals:

“He’s desperate,” Diaz, a Democrat, said Thursday during a meeting of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization. “I don’t blame him because he’s desperate. He’s trying to bring up his poll numbers.”

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, who’s in a tough fight for re-election, has also adopted marriage equality as key campaign issue.  Even GOP candidates have recently come out in favor of marriage rights for same-sex couples, perhaps in an effort to appeal to moderates.

Historically, of course, marriage has been used as a wedge to divide the electorate, a tactic best represented by the 2004 Republican effort to use statewide ballot initiatives to increase conservative turnout and propel George W. Bush to re-election.  And while backing marriage equality to boost popularity certainly won’t work everywhere, given where public opinion–and political rhetoric–stood just a few years ago, current developments are nothing short of astounding.