This is rich. On the very same day that a judge in Arkansas (Arkansas!) declared the state's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, the National Organization for Marriage's Brian Brown posted a money beg on his website declaring that NOM is on the cusp of victory in their battle to hold onto their proprietary right to decide who can and cannot marry.
What has prompted this wild celebration, this cockeyed optimism you may ask. Was it the fact that they thwarted review of state marriage bans from five federal appellate courts? No, that wasn't it. Was it their success in preventing 17 states from legalizing same-sex marriage? Nope. Was it a Federal judge in Oregon allowing NOM to defend the state's ban when their own Attorney General declined to do so? Nuh-uh, they weren't allowed to play.
Well, it must have been something huge that proves NOM's strategy is working just dandy and if only you would kick in large amounts of money they can continue on and save the day. What is the proof in their moldy old pudding?
Social conservatives won several key Statehouse races in Tuesday's primary, ousting two incumbents and successfully defending others…
…Two Republican House members — Kathy Heuer, Columbia City, and Rebecca Kubacki, Syracuse — were defeated by wide margins by Christopher Judy and Curt Nisly, respectively. The incumbents were targeted by social conservative groups after voting against a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. [Emphasis added]…
"The overall message is that if you oppose marriage in Indiana, you take huge political risks," said Curt Smith, president of Indiana Family Action. "If you want to thumb your nose at the pro-family groups, you do so at your own risk."
And there you have it. Two social conservatives that had NOM's backing made it into the House in a state so conservative it may as well be situated between Mississippi and Alabama. Woo hoo! That oughta show 'em! Donate now!!!
Dear Marriage Supporter,
It's a cautionary tale for the political establishment and the partisan pundits who continue, against all evidence, to push the narrative that marriage is a losing issue at the polls: Social conservatives post wins in Indiana legislative races," the headline declared.
Brian then goes on to tout the recent polling showing strong opposition to marriage equality. These polls are to be totally trusted because they were conducted by the Family Research Council
and The National Organization for Marriage itself. The numbers don't lie, folks.
If all this great news wasn't enough to convince you to open you hearts and wallets, Brian pointed to North Carolina where the anti-marriage group NC Values held a public rally commemorating the 2nd Anniversary of the passage of the North Carolina Marriage Amendment. More than 300 people were amassed and you better believe that should make those gays tremble.
Brian's final justification for great optimism has him pointing to the recent SCOTUS ruling on Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action which upheld Michigan’s ban on using race as a factor in college admissions. Conservatives are excited about this saying that the ruling will have a deep impact on the marriage equality battles in the states.
Speaking of the courts...just like all the good news from the polls and public square, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion two weeks ago that gives much reason for optimism for marriage champions in the case of Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action.
In a case dealing with very sensitive issues regarding race relations, the majority decision authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy stated that the Court's finding "is not about how the debate about racial preferences should be resolved. It is about who may resolve it.... that the courts may not disempower the voters from choosing which path to follow" [emphasis added].
The
Schuette case has certainly given the anti-equality crowd something new to chew on. Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia have already
filed briefs citing the
Schuette ruling in the pending marriage equality cases. It remains to be seen what impact it will have, however I personally don't see it overcoming our strong argument that animus and moral disapproval are the only things motivating people to vote to ban marriage equality. After all, it was Justice Kennedy himself, the deciding vote on
Schuette, who acknowledged this in his
United States v Windsor ruling. Others
agree.
The high court recently ruled that Michigan voters had the right to prevent universities from using affirmative action in admissions decisions. Schuette says the same should hold true in the same-sex marriage case.
“Both issues were voted on by residents of Michigan, and voters overwhelmingly said no to both,” explained Legal Analyst Charlie Langton.
The difference between the two issues: In his opinion on the gay marriage ban, Friedman ruled that voters cannot vote on issues that violate the Constitution.
Langton said he believes Friedman’s ruling will be affirmed for that reason.
“I think that voters cannot vote on just anything. We can’t vote to legalize murder, for example…certain things that violate the Constitution, Langton said. “And I think that the same-sex marriage (ban) violates the Constitution: equal protect, etc., like the judge ruled, like so many courts have ruled…Although voters should be given some deference, not on every issue.”
So that's it folks. That is why Brian Brown has declared that NOM is in an excellent position to thwart the dastardly gays. You better dig deep and throw money at him like your very life depends on it. Never mind that the former director of the National Organization for Marriage Maggie Gallagher
has admitted that organizations like NOM have failed dismally. Brian Brown still has to earn a buck off the gullible and so must keep a smile plastered across his face as he assures his donors that it's just about over for equality while holding out his hand.
Brian Brown is right about one thing. Marriage continues to win.