CA Democratic Party Chair John Burton
(Photo by Karen Ocamb)
Karen Ocamb at
LGBT | POV reports that the
California Democratic Party has released a statement promising to assist in defeating North Carolina's anti-gay ballot measure Amendment One, which will go to the voters on May 8.
Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on President Obama’s Opposition to Discriminatory Same-Sex Marriage Ban in North Carolina:
California Democrats proudly support President Obama for taking a stand against a divisive ballot amendment that seeks to codify discrimination against same-sex couples into North Carolina’s constitution.
As Democrats across the nation make plans to gather in Charlotte, North Carolina for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, it’s imperative that we send a clear and united message against all such efforts that seek to divide Americans and enshrine discrimination. California Democrats stand ready to help and we will soon be in touch with ways that Democrats here can start getting the word out to voters in North Carolina about the need to defeat Amendment One.
This is pretty wildly unprecedented for one state party to involve itself in another state's legislation. And it is a credit to President Obama's power of persuasion that his campaign released a very specific letter of condemnation.
There certainly are tons of ways the California party could assist. Particularly as they say, "getting the word out." Amendment One would ban civil unions, a measure that polls show a majority of voters actually support. As Public Policy Polling's Tom Jensen points out:
About 20% of North Carolinians support legal recognition for gays and plan to vote for the marriage amendment. Getting those folks to change their minds will be the key for those hoping to defeat it.
Twenty percent is a big swing pool, much bigger than the current polling margin of victory. The race is on to educate voters on the
harms Amendment One will inflict, on families, on single women, on the state's ability to attract business in the national landscape. California is a big potential phone bank pool.
The momentum on this amendment is definitely not going in the religious right's favor. Reports from the state tell us the bill's proponents are spending a lot of their time in reactive mode against an unexpectedly strong face of progressive opposition. They are busy assuring the voters it's really not that bad. That really isn't the conversation they want to be having. That isn't how you win.
The coalition in-state is strong, with NAACP, ACLU, universities and business and professional groups, and hundreds of faith groups too. The coalition is reporting that talks are very encouraging that Democratic networks like the DNC, OFA and the state party have been very supportive. And increasingly, as they're showing their fight, the nation is starting to perk up and take notice. This is really a really great sign coming out of California.
Durham, North Carolina resident Pam Spaulding calls this statement "huge" and says,
We saw money pour in from all over the country to help California in its Prop 8 battle, but it wasn’t ever clear that there would be the same level of commitment to help battles in smaller states with a smaller political footprint...
Well, there's that too, money. The a small pool of California donors could make a big difference in a state like North Carolina. Pam also adds:
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Cal Dems. I look forward to seeing you here.
Way to go, California.