Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

“The Economist” on 2008’s Ballot Initiatives

By

Here is a state by state rundown, as per The Economist.

  • Colorado Amendment 48 would define a fertilised human egg as a person. The “egg-mendment” would turn abortion, embryonic stem-cell research and some kinds of birth control into murder.  The amendment…

    …is likely to mobilise moderate women voters in opposition while drawing attention to John McCain’s and Sarah Palin’s strict views on abortion-and this in a swing state. In November it will almost certainly go down in flames.

    RATING: 1+ DEMOCRATS

  • Arkansas Initiative One would prevent non-married couples from adopting.  Although initially intended as an anti-gay attack, the (conservative Christian) Arkansas Family Council…

    …decided to broaden the ban to cover all cohabiting couples, gay or straight. It does not apply to single people, who are presumably less sinful. If, as supporters believe, this is a new avenue for evangelical campaigning, it is an utterly ruinous one. There are a lot more unmarried voters than gay voters, and opponents of such measures can simply point to the crush of children awaiting adoption. The initiative has divided and embarrassed Republicans.

    RATING: 1+ DEMOCRATS

  • California Proposition 8 would, according to ballot language, “eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry”.

    Polls suggest that Californians are keen (sic)* to restrict marriage in the abstract, but much less keen on taking rights away from people who already have them.

    *The most recent Field Poll of voters likely to cast ballots in the Nov. 4 election shows 55% opposing Proposition 8and 38% in favor.  This is a marked departure from July numbers, which were 51% opposed and 42% in favor.

    RATING: 1+ DEMOCRATS

  • Arizona Proposition 102 would define marriage as between a man and a woman.  Although an earlier, more draconian version of the constitutional amendment was rejected by voters in 2006 due to fear of it interfering in the lives of unmarried heterosexuals, The Economist predicts the adoption of the current leaner, meaner gay-only version.  Interesting that they make no mention of AZ being McCain’s home state, and how the revival of a mean-spirited amendment might intersect with that fact.

    RATING: 1+ REPUBLICANS

  • Florida Amendment 2 would define marriage as 1 man + 1 woman, and also outlaw Domestic Partnerships or other forms of “marriage light”.  This is where The Economist‘s observations are most interesting.

    [Amendment 2] will not pass [in FL], where it must win 60% of the vote. Conservatives will campaign hard. Yet they face a dilemma. Blacks and, to a lesser extent, Hispanics tend to oppose gay marriage more strongly than whites do. If Florida’s blacks turn out in force, it will not do John McCain much good.

    Perhaps this is why Governor Crist isn’t campaigning for the Amendment?  Btw, it doesn’t help McCain that he has recently shown FL Hispanics that he thinks Spain is part of Latin America.

    RATING: 1+ DEMOCRATS

  • Michigan Proposal 1 would legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes, while Massachusetts’ Question 2 would make possession of small amounts of marijuana a minor civil offense.  The Economist thinks these will have little effect on gotv either way, but

    Given the havoc created by over-zealous conservatives, the Democrats shouldn’t need much help.

    RATING: A WASH

    ——————————–

    RATING TALLY: Democrats +4, Republicans +1 = Net Gain of 3 for Democrats

    Please share widely!
    fb-share-icon
    Tweet
    0

    • Comments

    1. are definitely a +1 for Democrats since they will bring younger people out to vote who might not have otherwise.  I just got invited to a facebook group today to vote yes on #2 and there is already about 17K people signed up.

    Archives