Gay leaders blame TV ads, Obama for loss in Maine

By The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 -- 7:48 pm
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gayrightsmarchondc Gay leaders blame TV ads, Obama for loss in MaineStunned and angry, national gay rights leaders Wednesday blamed scare-mongering ads — and President Barack Obama's lack of engagement — for a bitter election setback in Maine that could alter the dynamics for both sides in the gay-marriage debate.

Conservatives, in contrast, celebrated Maine voters' rejection of a law that would have allowed gay couples to wed, depicting it as a warning shot that should deter politicians in other states from pushing for same-sex marriage.

"Every time the citizens have voted on marriage, they have always sided with natural marriage," said Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based Christian legal group. "Maine dramatically illustrates the will of the people, and politicians should wake up and listen."

Gay activists were frustrated that Obama, who insists he staunchly supports their overall civil rights agenda, didn't speak out forcefully in defense of Maine's marriage law before Tuesday's referendum. The law was repealed in a vote of 53 percent to 47 percent.

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Story comments are below...
  • dennycrane
    Sorry about the defeat. Didn't read the bill, did it skip all that church/religious gaffaw? Hopefully it concentrated on civil documents between two persons, just like "business." The reason I say this, is that it is nobody elses business but yours. I just want to be able to drive down your street without out hitting pot holes. That's my business!
  • Lindoro_Almaviva
    If Obama is guilty of anything is of not having the balls to do what carter did in 78. To be clkear and come out in public and say "That referendum is wrong and people should vote against it."
  • dennycrane
    Worked out real well for Jimmy. One termer and ushered in RayGun who cheated on his first wife while banging that "tarot" reader in a trailer, he was mobbed up, use to be a member of the Communist Party, then "quit" and ratted his friends out. That's just a start. Maybe if you mind your own fucking business and stop "wondering" what the hell your neighbors are doing people would get along better.
  • douvie
    This President loves to give credence to to religious radical right. Everyone should read Max Blumenthal's Republican Gomorrah and decide for themselves if this is the direction they want for America. Another poor showing by the Obama Administration. I hear everyone saying that they will withhold money from the next campaign. That is not enough. It is time to start withholding the vote. Hell, if we are going to live in a wingnut society, why give it the gloss of progressive support?
  • coreypaul
    If Obama doesnt support gay marriage, and if the USA gov. refuses to de-criminalize homosexuality around the world, like most countries did recently, DO NOT expect poop from this Democratic party!!!!!
  • noyorker
    "In both states, California-based political strategist Frank Schubert oversaw an advertising campaign warning that "homosexual marriage" would be taught in public schools.

    "The campaign to defend gay marriage countered that Maine's state curriculum guidelines contain no reference to marriage, and the state's Democratic attorney general, Janet Mills, issued an opinion backing that up. But the ads continued."

    The fact that opponents of gay marriage have to lie speaks for itself. In addition, any religious group that vocally and actively opposes these gay marriage efforts should be sued to have their tax-free legal status stripped away. If "christian" groups have to start paying taxed like everyone else, not only will the money to finance their efforts be seriously diminished, but they will be far more likely to stay out of politics (and follow the rule of law in this country).
  • Well it certainly is easier to blame TV and Obama for the recent turn of events. The fact is that conservative "pro traditional marriage" groups outspent gay rights activists in Maine. Money talks and money walks.
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