Proposition 8 - Liberals Screwed Up - They Were Out Organized

[Median Democrat]

I voted No on Proposition 8. However, even though polls showed a slight lead by the No On 8 crowd, I was worried before the election. Why?

I saw excellent grass roots efforts by the Yes on 8 crowd, particularly in the suburbs. In the weeks leading to the election, the Yes on 8 crowd actively demonstated, picketed and displayed signs in support of Proposition 8. In other words, the Proposition 8 folks had a great ground game. I know that No on 8 folks were active in the city areas, but that was largely preaching to the choir.

I did not see many No on 8 folks on the ground in the suburbs. I only saw the No on 8 commericials long after the Yes on 8 folks had been running the infamous Gavin Newsome ads.

So, while the GBLT is going to try to litigate their way to victory, I am not optimistic. Courts generally do not take the lead on issues of social change, rather they tend to preserve the status quo. Worse, when they do, there is often a backlash.

I would have liked to have seen more of a ground game by the GBLT crowd in areas where there was not a prominent GBLT community. Education should precede litigation, and there should have been more of an effort to address the fears and prejudices of the general public, and educate them as to why civil unions were not a sufficient substitute for marriage.

This is my critique as a third party observer who voted No on 8.