Field Poll: Opposition grows to initiative that would ban gay marriage

[FreeState]

Source: PE Sacramento Bureau

A ballot initiative that would end same-sex marriage in California continues to face significant opposition among likely voters, a new poll indicates.

A Field Poll survey released today found that 38 percent of likely voters support Prop. 8. In July, 42 percent of those surveyed backed the measure.

Fifty-five percent of likely voters oppose Prop. 8, an increase from 51 percent who opposed it in July. The percentage of undecided voters remains at 7 percent.

The shifting numbers in today's poll seem to reflect, in part, the effects of changes made to the measure's ballot title and summary by Attorney General Jerry Brown earlier this summer.

Prop. 8's title initially was "Limit on Marriage." Its summary described the initiative as providing that only marriages between a man and a woman would be "valid or recognized in California."

Read more: http://www.pe.com/localnews/politics/stories/PE_News_Local_S_field18.2019a12.html

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Looking good... but we still ned to fight it very hard

[bluestateguy]

1. I'll be glad to see this initiative fail

but at the same time, doesn't that kind of legitimize the notion that people's constitutional rights are up for a majority vote?

[FreeState]

2. Thats why I want to see it fail...

so that people stop trying to vote away rights. The more that fail the less likely bigots will try in the future IMO.

[4lbs]

4. Well there are those that say that 'marriage' of any kind isn't in the Constitution.

So therefore, a bill like this is needed.

While some state that "pursuit of happiness" or "freedom of religion" covers marriage, it is indeed a fact that nowhere in the U.S. Constitution is the word marriage even written.

Thus, the strict constructionists will argue that marriage is not a right covered by the Constitution.

[foxfeet]

7. Equal protection under the law is, however,

part of the Constitution. It's not so much about marriage, per se as about the over 1000 benefits extended by government to married couples. If marriage were not a government sponsored institution, there would be no issue of equality. Everyone could marry or not according to their own choice and religious traditions.

[cboy4]

3. I am so, so cautiously optimistic. Sometimes people grow

horns on their heads when they enter the voting booth.

But it's very good to read these numbers. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[heliarc]

5. This is good news...

I am going to take particular pleasure in casting my vote against the initiative. Marriage rights for everyone!

[David__77]

6. 17 point spread?? Never thought I'd see such a thing.

I don't believe it could be defeated by such a large margin, but I'm pleased to see this. Let's hope it holds and expands!

[Maat]

8. Phonebanker checking in here!

I'm having a phonebanking party at my home on October 3, 2008. In the meantime, I'm going to phonebanking at my usual UU and UCC church sites. No on Prop. 8! Surprisingly, I have encountered little hostility on the phonebank, despite being in a very conservative area (Inland Empire, North San Diego County). The only hostility encountered is when someone tersely says something like, "Take me off of your list!" That could mean they just didn't want to be bugged.