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NOVEMBER 22, 2009


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Obama’s silence on Prop 8
Now is the time for nominee to translate words into action

HOME > VIEWPOINT > EDITORIAL

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?

COMMENTS

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stephenclark
Washington, DC

0

No one else is required to get us our of the mess we've gotten ourselves into by pushing too far too fast without laying enough groundwork. This is all about setting up a scapegoat.

Posted 10/24/08 - 11:12 AM

John Wright

0

I don't disagree that Obama should speak up about Prop 8, but he shouldn't do so at the expense of Texas. Yes, Texas is a solidly red state, but Obama's presence at the top of the ticket will be critical in local races, particularly in Dallas and Houston. This in turn will have an impact on the entire country when the Texas Legislature redraws Congressional districts after the next Census. Besides, Texas donors have contributed a lot of money to Obama's campaign, so for him to ignore the state would be unfair, especially since he promised he wouldn't.

Posted 10/24/08 - 11:40 AM

RCS

0

Kevin Naff is absolutely right! Pressure is needed now on these politicians to have them denounce Proposition 8. A strong statement by Schwarzenegger could make a big difference. As I stated on a previous blog here, the rest of us can do our part to defeat this hateful ballot measure, nicknamed Proposition Hate by many, by going to the Equality California website at www.eqca.org and making a generous donation. We have to get our message out there if we want to be heard, and that takes money. So, give as much as you can to Equality California today!

Posted 10/25/08 - 1:45 AM

stephenclark
Washington, DC

0

More to the point, John Wright, people who contributed to Obama for America were not contributing to No on 8. To simply redirect their contributions to that effort would be at least questionable. Besides, Kevin is hardly the only one to see that $150 million and suggest that part of it be given to another cause. It's a little like distant relatives coming out of the woodwork when you win the lottery.

Posted 10/25/08 - 10:17 AM

dc-20008
New Orleans, La

0

it would be political suicide for Obama to support gay marriage. It would play into the hands of all the Rush Dumbo listeners and other GOP lemmings. Obama needs to steer clear on this. It's a Supreme Court issue now.

Posted 10/27/08 - 11:19 AM

stephenclark
Washington, DC

0

Yes, dc-20008, and we might imagine Obama telling Kevin something similar to what he told Gen. Petraeus: "You know, if I were in your shoes, I would be making the exact same argument. Your job is to succeed in Iraq on as favorable terms as we can get. But my job as a potential Commander in Chief is to view your counsel and interests through the prism of our overall national security." Much as we want to defeat Prop. 8, his vigorously opposing it would show up in robocalls and negative ads in places like VA, OH, and FL and would put all the other elements of the Democratic program at risk.

Posted 10/27/08 - 11:45 AM

stephenclark
Washington, DC

0

A better approach would be to try to enlist prominent, well-respected figures who aren't currently in tough races, people like Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, or Congressman John Lewis.

Posted 10/27/08 - 11:55 AM