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Battle in the Home Stretch: New Poll Shows California Marriage Amendment Edging Ahead

By Kathleen Gilbert

SACRAMENTO, California, October 16, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a shocking turnaround, a recent poll has shown Proposition 8's fierce battle for acceptance has resulted in a 10-point swing, giving the natural marriage amendment a slim edge among voters in the final countdown to election day.

Last week's poll, which was conducted on behalf of four California television stations, shows 47% in favor of Proposition 8, with 42% opposed. The poll marks a distinct turn in the tide since a Sept. 25 SurveyUSA poll found 44% in favor, 49% opposed. 

While the "Yes on 8" campaign has managed to give Proposition 8 the lead, both sides are calling for their supporters to fight harder than ever as the battle for voter loyalty enters a dead heat.

Pollsters say that "Yes on 8" television ads most likely played the critical factor in the switch. Thanks to a surge in donations, Proposition 8 launched a television and radio advertisement campaign warning voters of the ramifications of failing to pass Proposition 8 upon education and religious rights.

(To see one of the "Yes on 8" ads, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kKn5LNhNto)

The "No on 8" campaign has responded with a series of ads accusing the pro-natural marriage campaign of lying about the threat to public school indoctrination: "They're using lies to persuade you ... [Prop. 8] will not affect teaching in schools. Another lie," says the ad.

Two days after the "No on 8" ad came on the air, true marriage supporters were in an uproar as a San Francisco first grade public school class made the news after being taken on a "field trip" to witness their lesbian teacher's "wedding" to another woman.  Marketwatch reported that school officials said they wanted to give their five and six year old students a "teachable moment." (http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08101405.html)

Supporters of the marriage amendment pointed to the much-publicized "field trip" as providing timely evidence for their claims that if Proposition 8 isn't passed, the classroom will be the next battleground over the homosexualist agenda.

The recent poll appears to have galvanized homosexual "marriage" supporters, who have reacted with alarm and a renewed vigor.  The San Jose Mercury News reports that California's largest teacher's union is the most recent organization to fund the effort to defeat of Proposition 8, pouring another $1 million into "No on 8" advertisements.  The California Teachers Association (CTA) also donated $250,000 in August to Equality for All, a homosexual civil rights group fighting Proposition 8.  The CTA joins associations such as the American Civil Liberties union (ACLU) who have donated large sums of money in favor of homosexual "marriage." (http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/sep/08090808.html)

Among the list of high-profile donors is Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who vowed to vote "no" on Proposition 8 in order to uphold the "fundamental right" of homosexual "marriage." He has contributed $25,000 and helped raise more than $200,000 at a recent No on Prop. 8 fundraiser. 

The Gay and Lesbian Times reports that more government officials are entering the fray, as the San Diego City Council also plans to help strike down Proposition 8 with their own campaign endorsing a "no" vote for city residents. 

Both campaigns have stepped up their communication to the Latino community, airing Spanish advertisements and holding rallies in Latino neighborhoods, according to the L.A. Times.

To learn more about supporting Proposition 8, go to: http://www.protectmarriage.com

See related LifeSiteNews.com articles:

First Graders Taken on Field Trip to San Francisco City Hall For Homosexual "Wedding"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08101405.html

ACLU Donates $1.2 Million to Anti-Marriage California Proposition 8
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/sep/08090808.html

Judge Nixes Suit over Wording of California Marriage Proposition: Critics Argue Wording Biases Voters against Proposition 8
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08080810.html

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