To defeat Obama, conservatives take the initiative

By Tim Rutten - Los Angeles Times, Opinion
Monday, July 28, 2008 - Web Link
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July 26, 2008

Social and religious conservatives are placing an increasingly large wager on a strategy they believe may overcome their constituents' lack of enthusiasm for Sen. John McCain, giving him a competitive edge over Sen. Barack Obama even in states as deeply blue as California.

Essentially, the strategy is a reprise of one Karl Rove used to push George W. Bush to victory in 2004, when he helped place measures banning same-sex marriage on the ballot in 11 key states. The Republican incumbent carried them all as religious conservatives -- particularly evangelical Protestants -- flocked to the polls to support the initiatives. This time around, similar measures denying marriage to gay and lesbian couples will be on the ballot in California, Florida and Arizona.

The Family Research Council, which supports all three propositions, believes that McCain could win in California. "It's been a long time since California was in play for a Republican," said David Nammo, who directs the council's legislative efforts. In part, his optimism is based on a private survey in which 58% of all likely voters said they "would be more likely to support a presidential candidate" who favors banning same-sex marriage.

McCain supports the proposed amendment to the California Constitution forbidding same-sex marriage; Obama opposes it, as does Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This time around, however, religious and social conservatives aren't banking on opposition to gay marriage alone. Across the country, close to 100 statewide questions already have qualified for the ballot in the November election. As many as 60 could be added. Many of these involve social questions about which ideological and religious conservatives have strong feelings.