Calif. Gay-Marriage Ban Appears to Lose Support

[cboy4]

By Ashley Surdin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 2, 2008; Page A08

LOS ANGELES -- Backers of a referendum to ban same-sex marriage in California are winning the fundraising race, but analysts and public polls suggest that voter sentiment appears to be turning against them.

The main backer of Proposition 8, which would amend California's constitution by defining marriage as a union "between a man and a woman," has raised close to $18 million, said campaign manager Frank Schubert. By comparison, the main group opposing the ban has raised just over $14 million, said Geoff Kors, spokesman for the No on 8 campaign.

But according to a Field Poll released Sept. 18, 38 percent of likely voters backed the initiative, while 55 percent opposed it. Polls released shortly after the California Supreme Court ruled in May that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry found that voters were nearly equally divided on the issue at that point, polls showed.

Political analysts who earlier considered the outcome uncertain now say the foes of the ban are taking the lead, bolstered by overwhelming support from young voters, effective television ads and history -- most initiatives lose.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/01/AR2008100103037.html?hpid=moreheadlines

[pinto]

1. This time around, more people are talking about stopping this here and now.

I know folks, generally apolitical, who are 1.) registering if unregistered and 2.) making a point of signing up on No on 8.

[cboy4]

3. That's great!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[WildClarySage]

2. Love the photo!

And what good news! I truly think that once people see how gay marriage positively affects gays and straights and realize what bullshit they've been fed from the fundies- that their marriages are perfectly safe- they begin to question their opposition.

[cboy4]

4. Yes, let's hope so.

:)

[Democat]

5. Extreme right wing groups often have plenty of money

But that doesn't mean that most people agree with their extreme agenda.

[xchrom]

6. recommend -- prop 8 fucks have begun running tv ads

on cnn here in the bay area.

[keepCAblue]

7. On ABC, too, Monday night during Dancing with the Stars

I almost vomited at seeing the advert, during the 1st half of DWTS (which has an openly gay contestant this season, Lance Bass). Fortunately, the No on Prop 8 group also ran an ad during the 2nd half of the show which I think erased any effects the bigots' hate-filled ad might have had on the viewers.

[GodlessBiker]

8. Great! I want to move to Palm Springs, but won't if this passes.

[trickyguy]

9. Great shot and great thought.

[codjh9]

10. Great photo. Yeah, what a pathetic waste of time, money, energy, etc. over an issue

that shouldn't be 'an issue' to begin with! So what if gays/lesbians marry? People against it are pathetic insecure morons.