June 9, 2004
50-0 FILES (via John Resnick):
Same-sex-marriage issue could aid Bush in Oregon (Brad Cain, 6/07/04, The Associated Press)
The Republican Party is hoping opposition to same-sex marriage among Oregonians will help deliver this battleground state's seven electoral votes to President Bush in November.An Oregon group, the Defense of Marriage Coalition, is gathering signatures to try to get a ban on gay marriages on the state's November ballot.
When the organization began its campaign, state Republican Chairman Kevin Mannix jumped in with an offer of help.
Mannix is a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage. But he acknowledges he has another reason for wanting to see the issue on the Nov. 2 ballot: If it qualifies for a vote, the issue is expected to bring out lots of conservative voters, which could help Bush's chances.
"It could be a significant factor, because we think it will increase voter registration and voter turnout among moderate to conservative Oregonians," he said.
Hopefully there are a lot of Koreans in OR... Posted by Orrin Judd at June 9, 2004 2:28 PM
Almost as white as Vermont,OJ,sorry.
Posted by: at June 9, 2004 3:24 PMWhen put on a ballot initiative whites will vote
the right way. It is only powerful members of
the judiciary and diversity-celebrating pols
that would would have the nerve to foist this
on the people.
It wouldn't have passed in MA if put on a ballot.
Posted by: J.H. at June 9, 2004 3:50 PMAu contraire, anonymous one. In the past 5-10 years, Oregon has seen considerable in-migration of socially conservative "people of color" ... including, but hardly limited to, Koreans. I know both Vermont and Oregon intimately, and Oregon is no longer Vermont West. Bush almost won here in 2002, and the state is his to lose in 2004.
Oregon's screwed up, activist courts will surely repeat their propensity to thwart the will of voters after the Defense of Marriage Measure passes, but having it on the ticket may push W. over the top here.
interesting that the only state to allow euthanasia would not be 'progressive' enough to accept same-sex marriage.
Posted by: poormedicalstudent at June 9, 2004 10:47 PMIf you want a test case, try my district (Hawaii's 2nd). Standard-issue lib Dem v. a man known for one thing -- he started the campaign against same-sex marriage here.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at June 10, 2004 2:31 PMNot usually. It was Patsy Mink's, but it has been taken by a Republican (Pat Saiki) for one term.
But the Dem is only in his first term.
I'd say if Gabbard, the Republican, gets over 45%, the point is proved.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at June 11, 2004 1:57 AMKeep us updated?
Posted by: oj at June 11, 2004 8:39 AM