personally, that, you know, this is -- this is where i am for reasons that are consistent with my political philosophy. including family values, including being a conservative to believes the family is a building block of society. i'm comfortable there now. >> a senate might look at this and say he's a politician, why is he doing this now, when he found out two years ago. >> two things. one, i'm comfortable with the position. and it took me a while to, you know, rethink things and get to this position. >> reporter: the second reason? the supreme court which will soon hear a pair of gay marriage cases and portman expect thad to generate some questions about his position. >> i thought it was the right time to let know folks know where i stand so there is no confusion, so i would be clear about it. >> dana bash joins us om washington. dana, will portman turn this personal decision into a political one? >> well, obviously, he is a