Hospital Rights for Gays a Good 'Small Step'

President Obama's decision to give gay partners visitation rights in hospitals and medical power of attorney is generally being hailed in a let's-not-get-carried-away way:

• David Dayen, Firedog Lake: "Hospital visitation is important, and this is a compassionate order. But it’s a small step in the grand scheme of things, one that the president has offered in the past in place of movement on marriage equality or repealing the Defense of Marriage Act."
• John Cole, Balloon Juice: "This puts the power with the patient—where it should be."

• Joe Sudbay, AmericaBlog Gay: "Finally a good move," but "It just makes me realize how far we have to go to achieve equality when something as basic as hospital visits is treated as an earth-shattering development."
• Steve Benen, Washington Monthly: "The far-right can pout and send ugly fundraising letters about this, but decent people will still be able to consider this development for what it is: another breakthrough for decency, compassion, and common sense."