I've made it to the initial round for favorite progressive blogger in the Air America Cruise Contest. I have to stay in the Top 5 before the second voting round begins, so your vote is appreciated! First voting round:
The Christian Civic League of Maine's Mike Hein calls Pam's House Blend: "a leading source of radical homosexual propaganda, anti-Christian bigotry, and radical transgender advocacy."
He is "praying that Pam Spaulding will "turn away from her wicked and sinful promotion of homosexual behavior."
(CCLM's web site, 10/15/07)
Ex-gay "Christian" activist James Hartline on Pam:
"I have been mocked over and over again by ungodly and unprincipled anti-christian lesbians."
(from "Six Years In Sodom: From The Journal Of James Hartline," 9/4/2006, written from the "homosexual stronghold" of Hillcrest in San Diego).
"Pam is a 'twisted lesbian sister' and an 'embittered lesbian' of the 'self-imposed gutteral experiences of the gay ghetto.'" -- 9/5/2008
Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth Against Homosexuality heartily endorses the Blend, calling Pam:
A "vicious anti-Christian lesbian activist." (Concerned Women for America's radio show [9:15], 1/25/07)
"A nutty lesbian blogger." (MassResistance radio show [16:25], 2/3/07)
Pam's House Blend always seems to find these sick f*cks. The area of the country she is in? The home state of her wife? I know, they are everywhere. Pam just does such a great job of bringing them out into the light.
--Impeach Bush
who monitors yours Bevis ?? Just thought I would drop you a line,so the rest of your life is not wasted.
By Jesse Connolly
Former Campaign Manager of No on 1 / Protect Maine Equality
While it's difficult and, one might suggest, even slightly irresponsible to weigh in on our marriage equality loss so soon, it's also tough to sit on the sidelines while others make sweeping proclamations or conclusions, usually hundreds or thousands of miles away from Maine.
This was a very painful loss. The simple fact is that their margins were wider in the places they needed to win, and our winning margins were either smaller than we projected, or we lost bigger in places where we needed to keep it much closer. Clearly, there is town-by-town, city-by-city analysis we need to do and much of that is already underway.
Nonetheless, permit me to make a few observations.
First and foremost, marriage equality is a complex issue. Many people are conflicted and we know from national and state specific polling that it is very difficult to move people on this issue, particularly in the confines of short campaigns.
Secondly, our opponents capitalized on that conflict by constant distortion and misrepresentation. It reminds me of the movie, Supersize Me: why order a midsize coke when you can have a giant coke? Their bar is much lower than ours. They only have to plant and feed the doubt. And it is difficult to fully restore any reputation, be it an issue or character, that's plagued by constant doubt.
Remember, this was a campaign where we got up on the air first and where we put genuine Maine values as the context for supporting marriage equality. We used real Maine families: gay and lesbian Mainers and their kids, and parents who wanted all of their children treated equally under the law. In sharp contrast to other campaigns, gay and lesbian families were woven into our advertising and images as they are in society - organically and realistically.
We also acted and responded like a campaign: no negative went unanswered, and any paid media attack got a swift rebuttal, usually within 24 hours. The messages were tested, we were disciplined across media lines -- from earned and paid traditional media, to new media, including social networking sites and outlets.
We were also benefited by a strong coalition of 60 state and national organizations who gave us the help we asked for, but didn't ask to run the campaign. In short, we got the money and the support we needed to run the campaign we wanted to run.
But here's where it gets tricky and here's where we need some answers over the next several weeks or months. It's clear that polling research, both ours and others, did not capture the intensity of Yes on 1 support. Polling cannot predict turnout and the impact of Tuesday's turnout was counterintuitive. We weren't alone: our opponents, political observers and field operatives all believed a high turnout benefited the NO on 1 vote. With voting approaching 60% in Maine, it's clear that wasn't true.
Here's what I do believe after some sleep and a break from the caffeine: we moved the equality ball further up the hill, not just in Maine, but everywhere else. Voters do need these conversations which we had by the tens of thousands; they do need to see real gay and lesbian couples and their children up close and personal; and they do need to be reminded that these are neighbors and soccer coaches we're talking about, not "homosexual activists" which is the well worn handle our opponents trot out.
I'm not skirting anything here when I suggest that we need to remember that it was not long ago when we were losing in double digits, when they threw an anti-marriage equality question on a ballot in a presidential year to drive conservatives to the polls.
It may turn out to be simply this: that by moving this basic premise of equality from the sink hole of catastrophic defeat state after state, year after year, to within striking distance of a win, that we are almost to the finish line. This tide is turning and you can tell by the histrionics from our opponents, from their "gathering storm."
It's not fast enough for most of us, certainly not for the families who deserve the same basic protections my wife, son and I enjoy, but we're getting close. We will learn more from Maine, we will keep making progress and we will win.
Let no one doubt -- least of all our opponents -- that we're in this for the long haul, until all Maine families are treated equally. This has always been much more than another campaign. It's about love and family and that will always be something worth fighting for.
Jesse Connolly was the NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign manager.
Blockquotes are statements released by the producers of this documentary, done in 2 parts because of YouTube size restrictions.
In May, 2009, the Maine Legislature extended marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. As expected, opponents of equality, led by the National Organization for Marriage and the Catholic Church, petitioned to have those rights put to a vote by referendum.
This film chronicles the final days of the on-the-ground campaign to protect marriage equality in Maine.
The Democratic National Committee ignored the fight to protect marriage for all couples in Maine, neglecting to donate funds to the cause (even though they reportedly raised over a million dollars from gay donors in June of this year) or to mobilize potentially thousands of volunteers through its Organizing for America arm. The DNC even sent emails to voters in Maine urging them to help with Joe Corzines failed gubernatorial reelection in New Jersey, potentially diverting needed volunteers, but also showing that they deemed the fight for marriage equality unworthy of their attention. President Obama never acknowledged the NO ON ONE campaign.
If marriage equality is to be fought for on a state-by-state basis, then our national gay rights organizations should hold the DNC and President Obama responsible for their inaction in Maine and in other state battles.
And so should we.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
President Obama was elected cashing our checks and making promises to our community, but so far he has failed to be the fierce advocate for gay rights that he said he would be. The gay community is being told to wait, and be patient-hes only been in office a year. But many of us have been waiting for decades. Were being told to wait while hundreds of much-needed soldiers are being thrown out of the military under Dont Ask Dont Tell (DADT), a policy President Obama could end today with an executive stop-loss order. Were being told to wait while it is still legal in over thirty states to be fired from your job just for being gay, a practice we could end by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Were being told to wait while the administration puts off repealing the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law his justice department has defended by comparing loving gay relationships to incest and pedophilia. Were being told to wait even while we have an overwhelming majority in the House, a filibuster-proof Senate, and a President who promised action on all of the aforementioned issues. It is unlikely that we will sustain this Democratic super-majority, so if not now, then when?
John Aravosis and Joe Sudbay of AMERICAblog have launched a donor boycot of the Democratic National Committee, Organizing for America, and the Obama campaign until Congress and the President pass ENDA and repeal DADT and DOMA, as was promised during campaign season, when the gay community gave plenty and worked hard to get Democratic candidates elected.
One wonders if the press was as incredibly shocked, horrified and embarrassed by this "event" , or as disgusted by the open homophobic frothing rants of this trio as I was?
Plus, it's never a good idea to announce an "OMG!!!" event to the Maine media for a specific time before the noon broadcast, then have almost a half-hour delay that you explain away as "waiting for some staff members who are running late"... let alone start out by spending a half-hour criticizing the Maine media and stating they aren't doing their job, as PornoPete did!
No wonder all 3 had difficulty looking up, once the cameras were FINALLY rolling!
And now some explanation about a few of the reporters asking the questions.
Here is a shot of WCSH-6's Don Carrigan who asked,
"Is there a radical gay agenda associated with this?"
I answered on my previous post, when this was brought up:
Nope, nope, nope
The reporter who asked that question, Don Carrigan, works for WCSH-6 and is someone I have watched and respected greatly for decades- Don is a helluva nice and fair guy, as well as a constant figure at the State House with a long history of great reporting.
Think Maine's version of Walter Cronkite for gravitas- I trust him completely.
What he was doing was asking the question based on the phrasing that LaBarbera, Camenker and Madore used, time and again, until I lost count myself!
Don was there for over an hour, as was Jim Keithly from WMTW etc... yet NO ONE DID A "B roll/ package/ stand alone" clip that aired with their report.
Paul Madore is very well known as incredibly rabid/ frothing homophobic up here, and has been for years- he makes Mike Heath look timid and reasonable! So that the clip focused on HIM and not the other speakers says alot.
More below the fold, including MPBN- Maine Public Broadcasting Network's take... and it's rather bad for PornoPete- as well as Susan Cover's Kennebec Journal write-up.
After this mess, I would honestly be surprised if Maine media ever covers another event for the trio, SFMM or anyone even vaguely associated with them, other than minimally.
Below the fold, some sh*t video clips that are gonna be damned hard for the Portland Diocese and SFMM's Marc Mutty (who was strangely absent/replaced in tonight's televised live debate against Mary Bonauto, with no explanation given!) to "scrape off the bottom of their shoes..."
Governor Baldacci Joins Maine Families in Bangor For Final GOTV Push For NO on 1
Bangor, Maine (October 27, 2009) -
Governor John E. Baldacci together with Maine families and volunteers including area legislators and elected officials gathered today at the home of Sally Dobres in Bangor to urge Maine people to vote NO on Question 1.
"In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions," Governor Baldacci said.
"The law guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine's civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government. The law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State." Governor Baldacci said.
"This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question," continued Governor Baldacci.
"I did not come to my decision lightly or in haste. My responsibility as Governor is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing the legislation was the right thing to do."
The event marks the beginning of the NO on 1 Campaign's Get-Out-the-Vote program with thousands of volunteers all across the state contacting family, friends and neighbors to remind them to vote NO on Question 1.
Governor Baldacci recognized the tireless work of campaign volunteers, encouraging them to continue their efforts through November 3. He also recognized several area legislators present at the event and commended them on their thoughtful deliberations of the issue.
Although unable to attend the event, State Senator Chris Rector offered the following comments,
"I voted for the marriage equality bill because it was clear that my constituents supported it. I also came to believe that it was the right thing to do for the state of Maine. The law should treat all Mainers equally, it's that simple. I hope the law the Legislature passed is upheld on Nov 3rd."
Ray and Connie Winship, retired teachers who live in Fairfield and currently co-chair the Waterville Universalist Unitarian Church Welcoming Congregation Program said their commitment to equality began in 1993.
"We've been speaking out all these years and will continue to speak out because we want Maine people to know that discrimination happens and we want them to know how much it hurts the victims and their families," said Ray Winship.
"Let's prove, once and for all, that Maine won't discriminate," added Connie Winship.
Bev and Sue Uhlenhake, who have a one-year-old son, are disheartened by the challenge to the marriage equality law. Both women grew up believing that marriage is the foundation of a family and want that strong foundation for their own family. She believes that the vote is all about children.
"This vote IS about my child. Marriage equality will absolutely affect him. He deserves the right to have parents who are more than legal strangers. He deserves married parents, and that's what I'm asking my fellow citizens of Maine to make happen today. It is now time to say NO. Say NO to inequality. Say NO to discrimination. Say NO to Question 1," said Bev Uhlenhake.
According to NO on 1 Campaign manager Jesse Connolly, the Get-Out-the-Vote effort over the next seven days will involve thousands of volunteers across the state who will talk with friends and neighbors, staff phone bank operations, and knock on doors reminding supporters to vote NO on 1 for equality and fairness for all Maine families.
"The key to winning this election is getting our supporters out to vote. This is a true grassroots effort and we continue to be overwhelmed by the level of support and energy," said Connolly.
"Mainers have dug deep, whether that's manning extra nights at our phone banks, double shifts knocking on doors, or writing another check."
Just got the confirmation from HQ; the rumor has been going around for an hour...
Jesse's segment, being taped live at No On 1 HQ in Portland, will start at 9:10pm SHARP.
No idea how long this will be, but this should be exciting! As well as alot of fun; Jesse is just SUCH a great guy and I am very much looking forward to this interview...
Please retweet and let's spread the word! :)
@maddow to host @NoOn1Maine campaign manager Jesse Connolly tonight. Tune in at 9 pm EST/6 pm PST! #marryme #lgbt #noon1
Two points of note: I LOVE that Mutty admits he's "only doing this because his boss (Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland's Bishop Richard Malone) told him to..." and I take some offense at the word "schlubby" as a descriptive of 'No On 1' head Jesse Connolly.
Unless it translates to "Super Cool Heterosexual Leader Unifying (from) Biddford (to) Benedicta, Y'All!"
(hey, YOU come up with that "y" word and I'll replace it! ;)
Even as President Obama delivers a high-profile speech about gay rights on Saturday -- the eve of a national march for equality on the Mall -- Maine's landmark gay marriage legislation remains practically a secret. With low-volume murmurs of support from the institutional advocates and opponents of gay marriage, Maine's operatives, on both sides of the issue, are curious to find themselves nearly alone as they contest an election that will determine the national gay-rights agenda.
"We're focused on Maine people talking to Mainers," said Jesse Connolly, who is running the campaign to protect the nation's first gay marriage bill to have successfully passed through the traditional legislative process. A schlubby Red Sox fanatic who wore orange Crocs on a recent rainy weekend, Connolly lives south of the state's largest city (population 65,000) with his wife and son. He's an unlikely figure to be leading the rainbow-bearing ranks as new gay leaders and activists demand concrete results from Congress and the White House.
"If we're successful," said Connolly, "it will give a shot in the arm to Washington."
Connolly's conservative counterpart, Marc Mutty, plays more to type. The chairman of Stand for Marriage Maine said he agreed to lead the opposition campaign"because my boss told me to." His boss is Richard Malone, bishop of the Portland Roman Catholic diocese, which has unequivocally thrown itself into the election, going so far as to pass around collection plates at Sunday Masses to fund the campaign.
But Mutty, too, professes astonishment at the lack of interest from leading national conservatives such as Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee.
"What happens here is of great national import," he said. "A lot of our folks seem to not fully get that."
The state's failure to get noticed is due to the simple fact that the vote will not take place in, say, California, where an expensive and bruising win for gay marriage opponents last year shook the national body politic for weeks.
You see, this right here is what I keep forgetting.
That while I'm living, breathing and sleeping this stuff (as are many others), still more in the country are not awake to what's going on up here in my "neck of the woods"...
A new public poll from Democracy Corps was released yesterday, showing us with a slight lead this race 50% to 41%, a significant jump from kos's numbers from the other week of 46-48.
The numbers are encouraging, but it's that 9% undecided that will determine this race. The investment of our supporters has allowed us to get on TV before our opponents and counter every lie they have tossed at us.
Tonight at midnight is the end of the third quarter and all of you kossacks know what that means: we will need to turn in our fundraising report.
Our campaign will be judged on the strength or weakness of this report.
Your help today is crucial to keep our campaign knocking on doors, calling voters and airing our television ads. Can we double the $4,733 raised on the Orange to Blue page?
When this report comes out, the media will turn their focus toward us to see if we're financially strong enough to win this election. It's extremely important that we demonstrate that the NO on 1 campaign has strong support. As Maine voters begin turning out to the polls during the early voting period, it's important that the story coming out about the campaign is positive and shows momentum.
From the beginning, we knew we'd be waging an uphill battle against the millions of dollars being poured into our opposition's campaign by national anti-equality groups. However, every time they've attacked marriage equality, our campaign has been able to respond to their lies and misinformation, and reinforce our message of respect and fairness for all Maine families. But we can't keep doing that without your help. Let's double the $4,733 already raised on Orange to Blue.
As we had seen in California, the No on Prop 8 campaign was ahead in September, too-- by as much as 14 points. But it was those undecided voters who ended up delivering victory to the anti-equality Yes on 8 campaign.
We aren't going to let that happen, but we need the resources to execute our campaign plan.
But to Maine's same-sex couples---many who've been together for decades and/or are raising families---it's much more than that. It's an elevation from second-class status to equal status. It's official recognition by the state that gay spouses and their families deserve the same benefits, services and protections across the board as straight spouses so they can more easily navigate life's little (and not so little) twists and turns. And, dammit, it's about being given the opportunity to summon the courage it takes to join the institution of marriage with all its obligations and responsibilities. This stuff about gay people wanting to "redefine" marriage is horse hockey.
Give what ever you can to help push us over the top. Our email list just blew past our $40,000 goal on ActBlue. Can kossacks step up now to double the $4,733 on the Orange to Blue page?
(Update 2009-9-30 14:33:25 by Jesse Connolly): We hit the recommend list and are at exactly, $5,000. Can we make it to $9,466? Keep it going!
More public support of great signifigance coming in for No On 1:
For Immediate Release:
Child Welfare Advocates from Across Maine Endorse Marriage Equality
Leaders Urge No Vote on Question 1
Portland, Maine (Thursday September 24, 2009) -
Statewide organizations with a solid commitment to improving the lives of children and their families today endorsed the NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign.
The American Psychological Association, after carefully reviewing years of research on parenting and child outcomes, concludes that:
"...(t)here is no scientific evidence that parenting effectiveness is related to parental sexual orientation."
In summation, the Association found "that adjustment, development and psychological well-being of children is unrelated to parental sexual orientation and that the children of lesbian and gay parents are as likely as those of heterosexual parents to flourish."
According to Dr. David Lilly, president-elect of the Maine Psychological Association, social scientists have long understood that marriage as a cultural institution can have a profound effect on the lives of married people, connecting them socially and ordering their lives.
"Allowing same-sex couples to join in marriage can enhance their legal and emotional security, and can benefit the children being raised by gay and lesbian couples," said Dr. Lilly.
"Children benefit not only from strong emotional bonds with both parents, but also from the stability and assurance stable legal bonds provide."
Catherine Stakeman, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers Maine Chapter reiterated these findings saying:
"The vast experiences of social work, and the scholarship of our discipline, tell us that children thrive when raised by families who are loving and caring, regardless of the structure of that family unit."
The Maine Children's Alliance, a nationally respected voice for all Maine children, strongly supports ending discrimination in marriage.
According to Ellie Goldberg, Executive Vice President, the Maine Children's Alliance has worked to improve the lives of children in the state since 1994.
"We believe that an evidence-based approach to public policy will lead to the best outcomes for the children and families of Maine. We know that marriage equality is public policy that will improve the well being of Maine kids because it is supported by scientific evidence.
If we accept marriage as a social good for children, in that it gives them emotional and financial security and confidence in the strength of their family bond, how can we possibly deny this protection to the children of gay parents," said Ms. Goldberg.
"These are very powerful endorsements, clearly reinforcing the fact that civil marriage brings with it benefits and responsibilities that provide significant protections to gay and lesbian couples and to their children," said NO on 1 campaign manager, Jesse Connolly.
Contact: Mark Sullivan at (207)671-0542 or mark@protectmaineequality.org
I'm starting to get dizzy with all of this "back and forth"...
Apparently Northeast NOM Stand For Marriage Maine and Marc Mutty wanted to get into the press release action today as well- check out the most recent screed, via their website and Facebook.
It is worth noting that this tactic is EXACTLY what No On 1 predicted at the Augusta Community Conversation I attended on Sunday- a 3 prong attack on:
1. Children/ Schools
2. Redefinition of Marriage
3. Religious Freedom
And looky here! What have we seen this week?
1. "Eeks! Think of Teh SkoolChildrun!" TV/radio ads.
2. "Redefinition of Marriage" (same ads).
3. And now, right on schedule, is the "ZOMG, What About Our RELIGIOUS FREEEEEEEEEEDUMZ?!??11?!? card.
Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that this is all very serious stuff going on, I'd be laughing at their boring predictability... read for yourself.
No on Question 1 Campaign Claims of "Fear-mongering, Lies and Distortions" Undercut By Their Own Legal Ally
Protect Maine Equality Can't Shoot Straight -
Campaign Shot Ricochets To Hit Themselves In The Foot
Portland, ME - In a misguided attempt to avoid discussion of legitimate issues raised by the proposed legalization of homosexual marriage, the No on Question 1 campaign has misfired, accusing legal scholars - including a prominent supporter of same-sex marriage - of engaging in "fear-mongering, lies and distortions." The scholars are on record of pointing out the inherent legal conflicts between the rights of people who sincerely oppose homosexual marriage and the rights of same-sex 'married' couples if homosexual marriage is legalized.
"Unfortunately for Jesse Connolly and the No on 1 campaign, the shot they thought was aimed at us instead has ricocheted and is now squarely lodged in their own foot," said Marc Mutty, Chairman of Stand For Marriage Maine, the official Yes on Question 1 campaign. "One of the legal scholars they dismiss as 'liars' includes Professor Douglas Laycock, a prominent scholar who supports homosexual marriage. In their desperation to avoid the legitimate discussion of serious issues raised by the legalization of homosexual marriage, the No on 1 campaign has wounded itself and done a great disservice to the people of Maine."
Stand For Marriage Maine is running a television ad featuring Boston College Law School Professor Scott FitzGibbon discussing the consequences of legalizing homosexual marriage. Professor FitzGibbon references a letter sent to Governor Baldacci from four prominent legal scholars from:
University of Notre Dame Law School;
Washington and Lee University School of Law;
University of Missouri; and
The University of St. Thomas School of Law.
Responding to the commercial, No on 1 Campaign Manager sent an email saying, "Our opponents know that to defeat us, they need to flood the airwaves with fear-mongering, lies and distortion. They need to mislead the good people of Maine and change the subject by inventing so-called consequences of marriage equality."
Unfortunately for Connelly, a prominent pro same-sex marriage legal scholar, Professor Douglas Laycock of the University of Michigan Law School, separately wrote Governor Baldacci endorsing the conclusions of the other scholars. "...[T]heir analysis of potential legal conflicts is accurate, and their proposed statutory language is necessary to legislation that is fair and just to all sides." Professor Laycock went on to say, "I support same-sex marriage. I think the pending bill can be a great advance for human liberty. But careless or overly aggressive drafting could create a whole new set of problems for the religious liberty of those religious believers who cannot conscientiously participate in the new regime."
The amendments that he and the other legal scholars suggested be incorporated in LD 1020 were not included in the legislation. "The conflicts that LD 1020 creates for people of faith are real and serious concerns. Respected legal experts on both sides of the issue agree on this. It's time for the No on 1 campaign to acknowledge these concerns and address them, rather than simply dismiss them with vitriolic campaign rhetoric. The legal scholars, including those who support same-sex marriage, are not part of our campaign. They have raised important issues that the people of Maine are entitled to know about. We intend to make sure that they do," said Mutty.
Maybe I'm getting forgetful, but I don't remember this "Professor Douglas Laycock" being at the discussions, the rally, or in any way whatsoever being attached to this year's law...
Did I run a series of posts about this man's support of LD 1020 and No On 1, then FORGET about them???
And guess what! Yet another big name college letterhead- this time it's University of Michigan Law School! Yet another campus that must be so proud tonight...
Michigan, Massachusetts, Missouri... what next, SFMM?Maryland and Montana??
NO on 1 Calls on Opponents to Open the Doors to Their Augusta Rally
Marriage Equality Proponents to Host Community Conversations Statewide
Portland, Maine (Saturday, September 12, 2009)---
The NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign today challenged its opponents to allow the media into their Augusta rally tomorrow featuring several out-of-state, headline speakers opposed to marriage equality. At the same time, NO on 1 announced that it will hold a series of "community conversations" around the state to engage Mainers on this important question of fairness and equality.
"The contrast could not be clearer," said NO on 1 campaign manager Jesse Connolly. "While our opponents have speakers flown in from San Diego and Washington, DC to speak out against loving Maine couples and families, we're having real conversations, Mainer to Mainer, about the importance of marriage equality."
The opposition rally at the Augusta Civic Center features Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, Harry Jackson, Jr., of Hope Christian Church in Washington, D.C., Chris Clark from East Clairemont Baptist Church in San Diego, and a special message from James Dobson of Focus on the Family, based in Colorado Springs. The ticketed event is closed to the press.
While the opponents' rally at the Augusta Civic Center will be closed to the media and people without tickets, NO on 1's Augusta "community conversation," the first in a statewide series, will be open to the general public and the media. That conversation is happening tomorrow, Sunday, September 13th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church Street, Augusta.
"It makes no sense to hold a big rally and then deny access to the general public and ban coverage of the event by the Maine media," said Connolly. "If the organizers really want to show people that they are not alone, why would they close the doors to the general public, to television news viewers and to Maine newspaper readers?"
Members of the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine also spoke out today about the insinuation from the backers of Question 1 that their rally will demonstrate that religious leaders are united in opposition to marriage equality.
"It is simply not true to suggest that all people and leaders of faith are opposed to marriage equality," said Pastor Mike Gray of Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church. "Many, many people of deep faith -- from the pulpit to the pews -- believe that only marriage truly honors and respects the livelong, loving commitment between two people. For many of us, it's a moral question of basic fairness for all Maine families."
"Marriage equality is a necessity from both a civil and moral standpoint," said Rev. Don Rudalevige a retired United Methodist Minister from Cape Elizabeth. "This is a civil matter and religions can continue to decide on their own, what marriages they will or will not perform. But it's important to remember that many faith communities want the ability to perform marriages for gay and lesbian couples."
Anne Underwood of Catholics for Marriage Equality also noted that many Catholics planned not to participate in the Diocese's special collection this Sunday to raise funds to repeal marriage equality.
"We believe many Catholics will either ignore the special collection altogether or hand in a note supporting the marriage equality law," Ms. Underwood said. "We believe that marriage equality is a matter of civil rights and social justice and, in fact, many Catholics feel compelled by conscience to support the effort to defeat Question 1."
Update: In the short one hour since I posted this, there has been an overwhelming out-pour of support in the netroots. Over 112 people took the initiative to go our website and donate to Protect Maine Equality. I just want to underscore the need for donations. To keep these TV ads on the air and fund our field operation, we need you to donate. You can either use Markos' Orange to Blue link or donate on our website.
No On 1's campaign manager Jesse Connolly just penned the following DailyKos post:
Earlier this week, the Secretary of State certified the election. But, we've really been gearing up for the battle for months and years. Maine has been through statewide elections on LGBT equality issues before. In 2005, I managed the campaign against a people's veto of the new law adding sexual orientation and gender identity to our human rights act. We won 54% - 46%.
I'm a lifelong Mainer and I do believe the people of this state are inherently fair-minded. But, Markos is right:
A victory here for the forces of equality would be fantastic momentum heading into new equality battles in places like California and New York in the coming years.
Our opponents know that, too, which is why they'll do everything possible to defeat us. The campaign against marriage equality includes the same cast of characters who won in California on Prop. 8 last year. They're even using the same campaign consultants: Schubert-Flint. If we know one thing about that group, it's that they know where to find the resources to fund their anti-gay campaigns.
This year, in Maine, we're already on the air with two ads, which can be seen here and here. We've also got a very aggressive field operation underway. We have twenty field organizers on the ground across the state. And, Maine isn't California. We expect turnout to be around 500,000 and we're doing the work now to identify enough voters to win.
One other thing about Maine is that we have among the most liberal voting laws in the country. That's why we have such high turnout. We have same-day registration and no excuse absentee ballot voting, which will start in just a few weeks.
There is more with links.
Here's what we need today, everyone:
1. Recommend this diary. The more recs we can get in the next few hours, the better.
2. Post it to your facebook.
3. Re-tweet this post a much as possible.
4. Digg it.
5. Comment on the posting as much as possible.
6. Write a blog entry about it and direct your readers (for those with blogs) to Jesse's DailyKos post.
7. Anything else you can think of to promote this.
I would add: please let me know in comments of any other ideas you folks come up with!
More below the fold, including some photos I took of the Portland event the other evening, where I finally got to speak with Governor Baldacci again!
First, this press release from No On 1's Jesse Connolly:
Dear Louise,
Our first campaign ads hit the airwaves today and I want you to be one of the first to see them!
One tells the story of Sam Putnam of Portland, who plays high school football and baseball, and is the pride and joy of his mother, Jennifer and her partner, Michelle. For Sam, it's pretty basic -- this is his family and he wants them to be valued and treated equally in Maine.
Please, share Sam's story with your friends and neighbors.
Our second spot introduces Bill Whitten of Yarmouth, a former college football player and U.S. Marine. Bill has two daughters -- one gay and one straight. For Bill, it's simple -- he wants both his girls treated fairly and equally, and that includes marrying the person they love.
Please, share Bill's story with your friends and neighbors.
Bill Whitten's story, like thousands of others, drives home what most Mainers believe -- that everyone should be allowed to live their lives and treated fairly.
These are the real Maine stories we need to share across the state, but we need your help.
Thank you for your support.
Jesse Connolly
Campaign Manager
NO on 1 / Protect Maine Equality
Apparently the donor thinks so too- because I just got this email with an incredibly generous offer:
On Wednesday, I challenged you to raise $10,000 by Friday. If we met that goal, a generous Maine donor agreed to match dollar for dollar up to $10,000.
Well, guess what? In less than 48 hours, you raised $16,098 through 354 supporters.
I just shared the news with our donor, who is so impressed with your initiative that he has doubled his challenge: he will now match every dollar up to $20,000 raised by midnight tonight.
That gives us less than 12 hours to raise $3,902.
We need your help - tell your friends, post it on Facebook, and try to recruit at least one person you know to help us meet the goal.
If you were thinking about giving, please do so now. If you've already given, thank you. You are the backbone of this campaign. We now need you to help spread the word about this latest challenge.
Together, we can do it!
Sincerely,
Jesse Connolly
Campaign Manager
NO on 1 / Protect Maine Equality
I agree with every word- thank you and please spread the word! :)
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Aug 6 2009
Contact: Mark Sullivan, Communications Director, (207)899-1330
NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality Signs Code of Fair Campaign Practices, Calls on Opposition to Endorse Standard of Ethics
"We invite our opponents to join us and deliver the kind of campaign that Maine voters want and deserve"
Portland, Maine (Thursday, August 6, 2009)---Today, the NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign signed a code of campaign ethics and practices based on the 2008 Maine Code of Fair Campaign Practices (21-A M.R.S.A. ยง 1101(2)) and asked opponents to sign pledge and join NO on 1 in conducting a civil campaign Maine voters have come to expect.
The pledge (see attached) was adapted to suit ballot initiatives and was FAXed to Frank Schubert of the California-based Shubert Flint Public Affairs who opponents have identified as managing their campaign to strip away marriage equality. The 2008 Maine Code of Campaign Practices is routinely signed by candidates running for public office in the state. The letter and pledge was also sent to Marc Mutty, the public affairs director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine.
"Maine has a longstanding tradition of campaigns that do not engage in mudslinging, lies, distortions and the politics of division," said Jesse Connolly, Campaign Manager for NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality. "Maine voters expect us to take the high road, avoid poisonous attacks, and make our case based on fact and principle. Today, NO on 1 pledged to abide by that high standard, and we invite our opponents to join us and deliver the kind of campaign that Maine voters want and deserve."
In a June 18th article in the Portland Press Herald, Mr. Mutty, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine, stated that marriage equality opponents have hired Schubert Flint "to run the campaign." Schubert Flint is the same firm that ran the $39 million Prop 8 campaign which overturned marriage equality in California in November 2008.
"As we embark on the campaign to preserve marriage equality in Maine, it seems both ethical and important that we agree on the terms and tenor of this engagement. I am not sure whether or not there is a similar procedure in your home state of California. But in Maine, our campaigns, while not lacking in rigor or enthusiasm, operate in an atmosphere of mutual respect and in a distortion-free zone. I look forward to seeing you soon on the campaign trail here in Maine."
"I hope that our opponents will join us and sign the pledge," Connolly said. "By agreeing to abide by these standards, we will ensure a campaign in which we can all take pride. Marriage equality in Maine is about our commitment to fairness and justice. And in the end, it's what voters both expect and deserve."
The ball is now in the opposition's court. Let's see what they decide to do with it.
Despite raising more than $300,000 in about a month, Stand for Maine Marriage had about $50,000 in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period, according to state records. The records also show more than $140,000 in unpaid obligations for the group.
Most of the spending, nearly $200,000, went to a national signature-gathering firm to expedite the petition process. More than $40,000 has been spent on campaign consultants, including the firm that worked successfully to overturn a similar law in California last year. Other money has been spent on campaign literature and office space, which has been rented on Route 1 in Yarmouth, according to the reports.
Oh dear, they better tighten the spending belt and collect some $$$ just to balance the books, eh?
===================================
Or do they? Is it "smoke and mirrors" time?
Stand for Marriage Maine - the coalition leading the fight against allowing same-sex couples to marry - raised $346,690 between June 3 and July 3.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland contributed $100,000 of that total, although a campaign spokesman pointed out that the money was from a special fund for that purpose, not church collections.
The National Organization for Marriage in New Jersey, which helped defeat a gay marriage movement in California, chipped in another $160,000.
"It's a long haul, but we've got a good start," said Mark Mutty, one of Stand for Marriage Maine's campaign leaders.
Mutty predicted Wednesday that they will file "a very significant amount of signatures well in excess of the minimum" by early August. In addition to the Roman Catholic Diocese and the National Organization for Marriage, the organization also received $50,000 from the Knights of Columbus in Washington, D.C., and $31,000 from the Focus on the Family Maine Marriage Committee but only $400 from individuals.
Mutty pointed out that his organization's Web site has only been up for less than two weeks and he predicted that the number of individual donations will increase dramatically as the campaign ramps up.
Mutty noted that the professional signature-gathering firm, National Petition Management Inc. of Michigan, was expensive but necessary in order to get enough signatures collected by mid-August so the veto question would appear on the ballot this fall.
According to the filings, the Stand for Marriage PAC has paid National Petition $193,629 and still owes the firm $52,000. Overall, the PAC has spent $293,231 to date.
Oh my, that's alot of scratch. What's the matter, Mutty- can't find any LOCAL UNEMPLOYED MAINERS TO DO THE WORK???
Plus the $400 pocket change. That still leaves some monies ($5290) as not accounted for...
But here's the bigger point: for all of the large monies being discussed, not even $10,000 of it is from the very people who will be voting this fall- registered Maine voters.
So very little Maine money is going to Michigan after all- it's money from NOM, the Roman Catholic Church and others.
Now, as the campaign to repeal Maine's same-sex marriage law shifts into high gear, fear is once again in the air. Only this time it's not the homosexual community that's quaking.
It's their opponents.
"I know what you're saying - there is some irony there," agreed Marc Mutty, now on leave from his job as public affairs director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland to run Stand for Marriage Maine.
Still, Mutty said, "We feel like the minority that's being discriminated against. We are being treated like pariahs everywhere we go."
A recent e-mail to the staff at the Portland diocese, forwarded to me this week by someone using the pseudonym "M. Luther," offers this advice to the diocesan staff:
"For security reasons, please do not give the physical location of the SFMM (Stand for Marriage Maine) office to anyone. It's imperative that no one else know the location."
Have a steaming cup of paranoia, folks?
Doesn't a 501c3 like SFMM have to disclose information to the public, like their physical location and such?
The e-mail also instructed staff members, should they receive any "marriage" calls, to "direct the angry mobs to the toll-free number or invite them to visit the SFMM website."
Sitting Monday afternoon inside Stand for Marriage Maine's headquarters, an unmarked office in Yarmouth, Mutty said he authorized the e-mail. The "angry mobs" reference, he said, was tongue-in-cheek and not meant for public consumption.
Asked why repeal proponents are so worried about their safety, Mutty cited "what happened in California."
To be clear, Mutty said, it's not the "organized opposition" here in Maine that has Stand for Marriage Maine on alert. Rather, he said, it's the "fringe groups" from away.
Here is a shot of WCSH-6's Don Carrigan who asked,
Just got the confirmation from HQ; the rumor has been going around for an hour...
