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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, October 25, 2009 Courtroom detours in Referendum 71 fight may prove costly to foes By Jerry Cornfield Herald Columnist Opponents of Referendum 71 swerved off the road to victory onto the shoulder toward defeat this week. With legal dramas unfolding in the nation's Capitol, the state's Capitol and Tacoma, leaders of the campaign to reject the referendum spent more time talking about their cases than spreading their campaign gospel. While they received much media exposure at no cost, they'll pay a price for not using the free time to communicate their message better to voters. At this point, with ballots mailed, all the turns of the legal screw are confusing the issue and distracting the voters, creating an opportunity for those who want the measure approved to pick up valuable ground. Until this week, the forces who decry the “everything but marriage” law as an attack on traditional families by an overreaching government appeared to have the upper hand in this contest. One reason is the Obama factor that is causing a nationwide shift in political temperament. President Barack Obama's personal popularity is dipping and his policies are suffering, too. A year of recession, bailouts and war is making blocs of voters grumpy, frustrated with the status quo and generally disillusioned with those at the helm. In partisan terms, conservative Republicans are getting their groove refitted, Democrats are playing defense, progressives appear subdued and those independents are again feeling very independent. Signs of the shifting mood toward politicians in Washington are evident in the defeat of Greg Nickels in Seattle and the good possibility that Susan Hutchison may become the next King County executive. But on a ballot measure dealing with values like Referendum 71 — where voters will decide whether to keep or discard a law giving domestic partnerships equal treatment under state law as married couples — it's all guesswork. It puts the spotlight on those independents, who occupy Washington's political middle ground. Whether they'll show and which way they'll vote is a source of a lot of wondering. Of course, turnout is pivotal with the outcome hinging a great deal on how many people cast ballots in Seattle and King County, the only places in the state where polling consistently finds a majority wanting to approve R-71. If it soars there, the law will be preserved. Strategists with the campaign to reject the referendum think the religious vote will provide one-third to 40 percent of their total. They need to tap deep into the well of voters with an independent streak and an attitude to put them over the top. That's why expending energy this past week on the legal front rather than on reaching out to those potential voters may prove particularly damaging. While they had their heads turned, the Approve R-71 campaign awakened from its slumber with a powerful television ad featuring Charlene Strong. She's the Seattle woman whose partner, Kate Fleming, died in the flood of 2006. Strong's story is how she was prevented from being at her partner's bedside when Fleming passed. This 30-second ad could be the game-changer. It's simple in its presentation and precise in its point. Women voters, always a crucial group in an election, will feel the tug of emotion and the pull of Strong's position. Opponents of the referendum showed no immediate signs of swerving in response to the ad. Maybe they're confident in the direction they're traveling. Or maybe they're planning a last-minute maneuver to cross the finish line first. If so, let's hope it doesn't get us all parked in court. Political reporter Jerry Cornfield's blog, The Petri Dish, is at www. heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Log in or register to post new comment | Log out Vote No on Referendum 71 I voted "no" because I am tired of the constant whittling away of what I MYSELF VIEW should be a traditional family. Just because people choose a particular lifestyle does not mean I have to accept it nor should the general population have to accept it. Live how you want but understand that if you choose a lifestyle outside of the "norm" your ability to access certain perks can be restricted. It's a choice--you made it--you live with it. H C | Oct 25, 2009 2:48 pm | 3 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Vote to Approve! Here is the website saying who gave money for the campaign. It's very interesting how much Larry Stickney is paying himself out of the campaign money! Ref. 71 is a personal agenda for him and he is profiting greatly. http://www.pdc.wa.gov/QuerySystem/committees/initiativedata.aspx Molly Deardorff | Oct 26, 2009 6:40 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Vote to Approve! Here is the website saying who gave money for the campaign. It's very interesting how much Larry Stickney is paying himself out of the campaign money! Ref. 71 is a personal agenda for him and he is profiting greatly. http://www.pdc.wa.gov/QuerySystem/committees/initiativedata.aspx Molly Deardorff | Oct 26, 2009 6:39 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal R-71 is about real families, not carpetbagger money I guess if you don't have a savory argument to make to support your ballot position, you try to divert everyone's attention by changing the rules just days before the election to allow a flood of mystery money into the state. Approving Referendum 71 is about protecting all Washington families fairly. Real families. Seniors who could otherwise lose hard-earned pensions, health care coverage or military benefits. And committed gay and lesbian couples wanting to protect each other and their children the same as any other couple. Please vote "approved" on Ref. 71 to preserve the domestic partnership law. Approve71.org Lurleen Blogovitch | Oct 25, 2009 6:16 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Separation of Church and State I am voting to APPROVE 71 for many reasons. First and foremost, will I never vote to take away the rights of taxpaying, lawabiding citizens. Secondly, this is NOT a religious issue. The government has no business interfering with the Church; likewise, the Church has no business interfering with the government, with one exception, for the allowance of freedom of religion. If my church feels that they should not sanction "religious marriage", that is okay, they have the right to do so. This matter, as the law CLEARLY STATES, is a civil manner, hence has nothing to do with religion. I find it quite ironic that those who preach that the government should stay out of their business flip-flop and say we should not approve this law. The word "hypocrisy" seems to come to mind. The Church should stay out of this matter because it has nothing to do with them. Separation of Church and State. udub LS | Oct 25, 2009 4:42 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal WWJP? Who Would Jesus Persecute? This Referendum isn't about saving 'marriage' (if it were, it would make divorce tougher) but it does provide for religiously based, state-sanctioned bigotry. Approve R-71. The Family you save may be your own! Jeff Craig | Oct 25, 2009 2:33 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal I VOTED NO Let us leave the redefining of reality to the pages of Orwell's 1984. Veritas Splendor | Oct 25, 2009 1:34 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal ref 71 Again, as a committed couple, we support Ref. 71. It is our responsibility to give all loving couples equal rights. Scott and I decided that although we could marry as husband and wife, we felt it unfair to do so until ALL loving couples had equality. Every day I fight the fall out from this. It is so frustrating to be so limited. I can't sign permission slips for our child let alone take him to the doctor. I can't solve a problem with the phone company. If one of us were to become ill we couldn't even make decisions about our partners health care and it scares me every time I think about it. YOU have the power and responsibility to change this . PLEASE, I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON REF. 71 cynthia worthen | Oct 25, 2009 5:48 am | 3 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

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