Gov. Schwarzenegger Voices Opposition to Proposed Anti-Gay Ballot Measure

The Associated Press is reporting that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vowed to oppose a proposed ballot initiative that would amend the state’s constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. The governor made the announcement Friday at the Log Cabin Republican convention in San Diego. Although he has twice vetoed legislation that would’ve legalized marriage, the governor said he believes the initiative is a waste of time, and he wants the courts to decide the matter.

Anti-gay groups must gather almost 1.1 million signatures by late April to qualify for the November election and have reportedly already collected more than 900,000. If the proposed measure qualifies and passes, the legislature would be prohibited from passing another pro-marriage bill in the future and current cases that might lead to marriage would be stopped or reversed.

Both the San Diego Union Tribune and the Sacramento Bee spoke to conservatives who criticize Schwarzenegger for inconsistency on the issue, but the media has also noted a significant shift in public opinion with opposition to marriage decreasing from 61 to 51 percent of California voters.

Media coverage of this hot-button issue shows just how complicated the social and political landscape remains in California, especially in such cities as San Diego where Republican mayor Jerry Sanders reversed his position and voiced support for marriage as did the City Council. As the political battle unfolds, it’ll be critical for the media to go beyond covering this issue as a partisan fight, especially considering that Republican leaders are bucking the conventional party stances.    

Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy