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| America Ferrera, who plays the title character on ‘Ugly Betty,’ along with Tony Plana, who portrays her father, and Ana Ortiz, who portrays her sister, are appearing in a Spanish-language TV spot urging Latino voters in California to cast ballots against Proposition 8 because it discriminates against families. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/AP) |
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HOME > NEWS > NATIONAL NEWS
By: CHRIS JOHNSON COMMENTS
 
continued...
this week.
The “No on 8” campaign also was trying to reach out to Latino voters with a Spanish-language TV spot, which began airing Monday, featuring Hispanic actors from the ABC series “Ugly Betty.”
In the ad, America Ferrera, who plays the title character, Tony Plana, who portrays Betty’s father on the show, and Ana Ortiz, who portrays Betty’s sister, urge a “no” vote on Proposition 8 because it discriminates against families.
Yvette Martinez, political director for “No on 8,” said in a statement Monday that her campaign was “thrilled these prominent actors are speaking directly to the Latino community” because proponents of the measure have been targeting California Latinos for some time.
The Public Policy Institute survey found that Latino voters plan to reject Proposition 8, 53-43, while the SurveyUSA poll found Latino voters would reject it 45-44.
A separate campaign was engaging black Californians to vote against the amendment, Cole said in the conference call.
“I think these efforts are good,” he said, “and I think they will persuade some folks who are opposed to gay marriage to change their vote and see it as a civil rights issue, but I think in terms of what’s the most productive way to win the election — that’s not going to be the best use of the money and time that we have available.”
The SurveyUSA poll found that 58 percent of blacks in California support Proposition 8, while 38 percent oppose it.
Some observers, including gay blogger Andrew Sullivan, have suggested that a TV spot with Obama opposing Proposition 8 would be effective in persuading black voters to reject the measure. Obama came out against the amendment in a June letter to the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club in San Francisco.
But even without a TV appearance, Cole said the presidential candidate has “given us the material we need to work with, and we’re using it.”
“As long as we can get the young people that Obama brings out to vote to vote ‘no’ … his presence on the national ticket will be a definite overall plus,” Cole said.
Children an issue in Florida fight
While Proposition 8 was the top issue for many gay activists, other states are facing gay-related Election Day votes.
Florida voters will vote on an amendment that would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. Gay nuptials are already outlawed by Florida state statute.
An Orlando Sentinel poll published Oct. 23 found that 56 percent of likely voters in Florida were supporting the measure, known as Amendment 2, while 37 percent oppose it.
The remaining seven percent of vote
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