Oct 24, 2008  |  By: KEVIN NAFF  | COMMENTS     

THE FIGHT AGAINST California’s Proposition 8 is closer than expected after a recent surge by anti-gay marriage forces there, buoyed by millions in donations and a successful ad campaign featuring an unlikely champion.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is starring in ads and YouTube clips in support of the same-sex marriage ban, thanks to his exuberant remarks after the state’s high court ruling on the issue.

“It’s inevitable, this door’s wide open now,” Newsom says to a roaring crowd. His heart is in the right place, but as in 2004, Newsom could do us all a favor by showing a bit of common-sense restraint in the middle of a divisive election. Clips of Newsom and others bragging about the court victory are proving effective in turning off swing voters.

At the other end of the enthusiasm spectrum: Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. All are opposed to Prop 8, but their voices are missing in the fight. Maybe they thought we didn’t need their help, but they’re wrong.

New ads featuring their voices would help turn the momentum back in our favor. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of defeating Prop 8. Its passage would set back the cause of marriage not just there, but across the country and even in D.C., where a marriage bill is expected as early as January. But supporters have hinted that a defeat in California could delay those plans. 

Obama doesn’t support same-sex marriage, but he has insisted that he’s opposed to constitutional amendments banning it. And black support for Prop 8 could be the key to its approval. A new poll conducted by SurveyUSA shows overwhelming black support for Prop 8. Likely black voters favor it, 58-38 percent. That’s a daunting and disappointing margin, especially considering black turnout is expected to be at record-breaking levels thanks to Obama’s historic candidacy. He must speak out forcefully against Prop 8 and use some of that $150 million raised last month to run ads urging black voters to oppose it. If Obama can afford to purchase TV commercials in Texas — a solidly red state he will lose by double digits — then he can surely spare a few bucks for the fight against Prop 8.

Similarly, it’s time for Feinstein and Schwarzenegger to take a more aggressive, pro-active stance.
We’ve heard a lot of support for gay rights from politicians this year, but those were just words. It’s time for action. The situation in California is dire and the time to act is now. Will Obama’s actions match his words?