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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyAugust 7th, 2012
From Pioneer Press:
A Michigan philanthropist has donated $325,000 to a group opposing a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage in Minnesota.
Jon Stryker of Kalamazoo, Mich., gave the money to Freedom to Marry Minnesota’s political action committee on Tuesday, Aug. 7. according to state campaign finance records.
The numbers are starting to get big. I think that reflects an awareness that this time, we have a good chance at success.
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jpeckjr
August 7th, 2012
Money raised does not guarantee a victory at the polls. But it does seem that all of the ballot item campaigns are garnering far more resources than past efforts. And, based on what I’ve seen on their websites, they are all running far more united and sophisticated campaigns.
The passage of Prop 8 in CA scared us. The passage of marriage equality in NY encouraged us — in-couraged us.
We simply must have a ballot box win this year. I believe we will!
Bernie
August 7th, 2012
Every little bit helps in the fight for equality.
Joe
August 8th, 2012
jpeckjr, I don’t know if it’s necessary requiring more money, but it’s definitely raising more. The energy behind this campaign is nothing short of amazing. This is the largest campaign in the history of Minnesota, candidate or issue. And yes, it’s incredibly united, and all across the entire state. No one in MN has ever seen as much motivation as the one to defeat this. Nothing is certain, but I believe we will.
Ben In Oakland
August 8th, 2012
Well if they run the same closet-based campaign as the last 32, we don’t have much of a chance.
MattNYC
August 8th, 2012
So I guess the NOMrods will now be boycotting replacement parts (hips, knees, etc.), since there’s almost no alternative to using Stryker parts or tools for joint replacements. Given the demographics of the haters–I won’t protest that boycott. :)
Mark F.
August 8th, 2012
Ben,
I think the shift in public opinion may now even be enough to overcome poor campaigns. But, of course, mistakes of the past shouild not be repeated.
Ben In Oakland
August 8th, 2012
You’re far more optimistic than i am.
I’ve been making the same complaint about these closeted campaigns for at least 16 years. I think we are reaching the point where the campaigns, at leats as they have been run, don’t change anybody’s mind. the movable middle is not movable, not at least by our present closet-based strategies.
As I’ve often said aobut prop. 8, we did as well as we did despite our campaign, not becuase of it.
Religion, freedom of religion, bigotry, kids.If we don’t talk about them, our opponents will, and not ono ur terms.
Soren456
August 8th, 2012
I’m with Ben, and for the reasons he notes.
I’d add another to them: Our opponents turn out (Chick-fil-A appreciation day mean anything?) while our supporters do not.
I truly believe that support in public opinion for our issues is higher than the negative. But when the negatives can be turned out with the ease and speed seen at Chick-fil-A, we have to be worried for that reason alone.
Our side has a miserable voting record.
Mark F.
August 8th, 2012
Of course, we all know that we have lost every time in the past. But if you consider the polling on the issue to be accurate, we should start winning this year. I expect we will win in every state this November, or at least 3 out of 4.
Secret Advocate
August 9th, 2012
Money is a start, and not an end.
The only poll that I’ll believe is the poll on Election Day, but I will state that the polls in Minnesota have not looked good for our side. There was the recent Public Policy Polling survey which showed the amendment trailing, but PPP’s write-up on the poll was unclear as to whether it was a poll of “registered voters” or “likely voters.” SurveyUSA recently did a poll which showed the amendment winning rather comfortably. (Our side was even trailing among voters aged 18-34.)
Unfortunately, I have to say that I won’t be surprised if the amendment passes with a support level in the mid-50’s.
As I’ve said before, our side has to change things up in our campaigns. Campaigns can’t just be “Give me benefits!” or “We love our gay kids [who are not seen in this ad].” We have to show John and Jane Citizen how marriage equality helps THEM.
These messages include: (1) preventing sham marriages (would John or Jane want their straight son or daughter to marry a gay person?), (2) preventing promiscuity among gay men, which is a public health issue, (3) helping the children who are being raised by gay couples, and thus helping the community in general, and (4) increasing the overall level of happiness in society, thus causing gay citizens to work better, to study better, and to have fewer health problems.
And our ads have to be LOGICAL. The recent ad that our side put forth in Minnesota (with the priest, the minister, and the rabbi walking into a bar) is cute, but I don’t think that it is effective because people won’t believe its message of “Support Religious Freedom.” Churches and synagogues already can solemnize same-sex unions right now.
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