PROP 8 AFTERMATH: Newsom Biggest Loser, a Dire Need for Reform and the Chronicle’s CluelessnessPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Nov. 07‚ 2008Mayor Gavin Newsom and his gubernatorial ambitions lost big—not because the voters approved Proposition 8, but because his campaigning proved (once again) his incapability of directly engaging those he disagrees with. San Franciscans have long known that Newsom is thin-skinned, as he doesn’t meet with the Board of Supervisors – even after voters formally asked him to. Newsom’s press conference on November 5th at City Hall again showed how defensive he is to criticism, as the Mayor dismissed the local election results – including the embarrassing defeat of his Community Justice Center. Prop 8’s passage is a setback to advancing marriage equality, and it’s time to hold the movement’s leaders accountable. It also exposed a perverse flaw in our initiative process: how can a simple majority vote to change the Constitution, while most tax increases and bond measures in California require a two-thirds vote? And while the SF Chronicle made a big deal of how 25% of San Franciscans voted for Prop 8, that’s about how many voted for Proposition 98 on the June ballot—which got killed statewide. |